11 Stars Who Got Their Big Break On Home And Away

You know we belong together...

1. Chris Hemsworth

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Chris made his debut on Home and Away playing Kim Hyde. Kim had a tempestuous relationship with his father who happens to be the school principal at Summer Bay High. From 2004-2007, Kim deals with failed relationships, at least two Maury Povich style 'You're not the father!' situations, a stalker, a failed marriage and eventually finds happiness with Kit and his son Archie in the city.

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Leaving the drama of Summer Bay behind, Chris Hemsworth is now one of Hollywood's biggest stars, starring in Thor and was recently named 2014's 'Sexiest Man Alive.'

2. Isla Fisher

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Isla Fisher played Shannon Reed from 1994-1997. Shannon arrives in town with her brother Curtis and Shannon is taken in by Michael and Pippa Ross while Curtis is housed by Alf and Ailsa Stewart. When the pair are caught kissing (gasp!) it causes controversy, but ALAS they aren't actually brother and sister at all. We later learn Shannon is bisexual, and after being caught in a love triangle she leaves Summer Bay with girlfriend Mandy.

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Isla has since gone on to star in Hollywood films Scooby-Doo, Wedding Crashers, Definitely Maybe, Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Great Gatsby. She's married to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and together they have two children. In October 2014 the couple confirmed they are expecting their third child.

3. Ryan Kwanten

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Vincent 'Vinnie' Patterson made his way to our screens in 1997, played by the charismatic Ryan Kwanten. Known as quite the ladies man, Vinnie has many Summer Bay romances before eventually settling down with Leah. Shortly after the birth of their son VJ, Vinnie is arrested and charged with fraud. It is then said Vinnie died in a prison fire and everyone is devastated. Turns out Vinnie was in witness protection (of course!) and disguises himself dressed as a bear at VJ's third birthday party, where he leaves Leah a note telling her to move on with her life. In 2010, Leah is told Vinnie died in a farming accident. For real this time though.

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Ryan left the pristine beaches of Summer Bay and landed himself in glitzy Hollywood. He is perhaps best known for his role as the dumb but handsome Jason Stackhouse in True Blood. Kwanten has also appeared in Law and Order: SVU as well as a handful of movies.

4. Tammin Sursok

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Tammin Sursok was introduced to Summer Bay in 2000, playing the fiesty and outspoken Dani Sutherland. Dani's first love was Will Smith (not the one you're thinking of), and the pair went through an on and off again relationship, which ended when Will got Gypsy pregnant. When having relationship problems with Will, Dani is drawn to bad boy Kane, who later sexually assaults her. She later injures Kane after hitting him with her car and is charged with attempted murder. Dani is eventually released from prison and moves away from Summer Bay - ending her long-term relationship with Scott - in an attempt to start a new life for herself.

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Tammin Sursok had a moderately successful song or two in Australia before moving to the US to pursue a career in Hollywood. She's appeared in the Young and the Restless, where she gained high praise for her role. She went on to star in Nickelodeon musical film 'Spectacular!' and is now well-known for her role playing Jenna Marshall in Pretty Little Liars.

5. Julian McMahon

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Julian McMahon steamed up screens playing Ben Lucini from 1990-1991. Ben is a solider and soon falls for Carly Morris and leaves the army. After a whirlwind romance, the two become engaged and later get married. When Carly finds out she's expecting, Ben reacts badly, putting a strain on their marriage. As the couple comes to terms with it all, Ben is arrested (naturally) by the Military for going AWOL. Ben and Carly later move to Perth and have several children and presumably live happily ever after.

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Julian McMahon continued to steam up screens, joining the cast of Charmed from 2000-2003 and later going on to play Christian Troy on the FX series Nip/Tuck, where he was nominated for a Golden Globe at the 2005 awards. McMahon played supervillain Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four in 2005, and reprised his role in 2007 for the sequel.

6. Melissa George

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Melissa George stumbled across Summer Bay in 1993, playing Angel Brooks, a teenage runaway. She initially makes a bad impression on the town, after selling fake concert tickets to resident Shane Parrish. After doing it tough on the streets, Angel is eventually taken in by Summer Bay principal Donald Fisher. Angel and Shane constantly bicker, but end up falling for each other. After the admission of a surprise baby (Angel gave birth to a baby at 14, and surrendered custody), an engagement and Angel becoming temporarily paralysed, the two finally get married. Angel becomes pregnant with Shane's baby, only for him later to die from septicemia. Because no-one in Summer Bay can lead happy lives.

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Melissa George made her break in Hollywood, appearing in a handful of films, including David Lynch's critically acclaimed Mullholland Drive. She was upgraded to a regular role in ABC show Thieves, before going on to star in The Amityville Horror. She later starred in In Treatment, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, before joining the cast of Grey's Anatomy briefly. Also...don't talk to her about Home and Away.

7. Heath Ledger

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Heath played bad boy Scott Irwin in a guest role. Taking advantage of Sally's feelings for him, Scott uses her to get into Principal Fisher's office, to steal the Modern Studies exam. Sally eventually buckles and tells Principal Fisher the truth and Scott is eventually caught out, promptly expelled from Summer Bay High.

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Heath, of course, went on to have a highly successful Hollywood career, starring in critically acclaimed films such as 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight's Tale, Ned Kelly, Brokeback Mountain, Candy and The Dark Knight. Heath sadly passed away from an accidental overdose in 2008.

8. Isabel Lucas

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Isabel Lucas joined the cast of Home and Away, playing the beautiful but troubled Tasha. She arrived mysteriously at the bay, not speaking a word of English and Irene soon offered to take care of her. After an erratic start to life in the Bay, Tasha eventually settled down, forming a relationship with Robbie. Tasha's time saw her go on an emotional journey to connect with her past, many ups and downs with Robbie, a stint at a cult, a baby and later her and Robbie move to the States with baby Ella.

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Lucas moved to the US to pursue acting after leaving Home and Away and became widely recognised after starring in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. She's also featured in movies Daybreakers, The Pacific and Immortals as well as appearing in Ed Sheeran's music video for 'Give Me Love.'

9. Simon Baker

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Simon Baker had a brief stint at Summer Bay, playing James Healy, a photography teacher. He dates Roxy for some time, before leaving town as he was offered a better job. Probably a good thing really judging by some of the other story-lines.

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Simon has gone on to have a successful career in the States, best known for his roles in The Mentalist and The Guardian. Baker as also appeared in successful movies including The Devil Wears Prada and The Killer Inside Me. In 2013, Baker was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

10. Dannii Minogue

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Before she graced us with her pop tunes, Dannii appeared on Home and Away playing Emma Jackson a teen punk and tomboy. Emma came to stay with her aunt Ailsa Stewart after attacking her stepfather Barry. Emma's storyline's are basically structured around her running amok and creating chaos wherever she goes in the bay, feuding with Alf Stewart, Alf's sister Celia and eventually her own mother. Emma is framed for stealing an exam paper, and is expelled. Eventually the truth is revealed and Emma is reinstated but decides to take a job on the Gold Coast as an air hostess because yo-fucking-lo, she's had enough of your shit Summer Bay.

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Dannii is one of Australia's most well known celebrities, and has forged a career well outside of her sister's spotlight (her sister is obviously Kylie in case you have been hiding under a rock). Dannii's has had a successful music career both in Australia and in the UK, and has appeared as a judge on Australia's Got Talent, The X Factor UK and The X Factor Australia.

11. Naomi Watts

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Before she became one of Australia's most critically acclaimed actresses, Naomi Watts had a guest role on Home and Away, playing wheel-chair bound Julie Gibson. In her one month stint, Julie had her romance sabotaged, suffered the death of her father and left the Bay to attend university.

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After years struggling to break into Hollywood, Watts finally found success with David Lynch's Mullholland Drive. From there it was all systems go for the Aussie actress, enjoying box office success with The Ring, 21 Grams, King Kong, The Impossible and Diana. Watts has received numerous Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations and is easily one of Australia's most talented exports.

And for nostalgia's sake...

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