'Put that in my will': Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan's final wish to return home to Australia revealed as he opens up about family and health at 85
The 85-year-old comedy legend, who now lives in Los Angeles, told Channel Seven's Sally Bowrey that when the time comes, he wants his ashes scattered from Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge a place that holds deep personal meaning, given his early years spent working on it as a rigger.
"I want my ashes scattered off the Harbour Bridge," he told Bowery in an interview, which aired Monday.
"I put that in my will."
While Hogan has travelled between LA and Sydney in recent years, his most recent trip in May sparked concern after he was spotted being wheeled through the airport by Qantas staff.
But true to form, Hogan laughed off the attention with his trademark grin.
"They got me in a wheelchair," he said.
When asked directly about his health, Hogan didn't shy away.
"Well, I have arthritis, and I have a knee, which, much to my embarrassment, I injured skateboarding… I'm an 80-plus skateboarder," he laughed.
Bowrey praised his spirit, saying skateboarding as an octagenarian was no small feat.
"Well, I've been a late starter all my life," Hogan replied.
The Crocodile Dundee star, who penned the now-iconic script in just four weeks, reflected on his unlikely rise from blue-collar worker to global superstar.
"One minute I'm a blue-collar worker on the Harbour Bridge, and next minute I'm meeting the Queen," he recalled.
Born in Parramatta in 1939, Hogan first found fame in a chance appearance on the Nine Network's New Faces program, which led to a television career and a fateful partnership with the late John Cornell, his best mate and co-creator of both The Paul Hogan Show and Crocodile Dundee.
At age 46, with four kids already, Hogan became an international sensation thanks to the 1986 blockbuster, winning a Golden Globe and scoring an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Despite the fame, Hogan says he still finds media attention overwhelming, especially when it comes to his youngest son, Chance, whom he shares with ex-wife and Croc Dundee co-star Linda Kozlowski.
"I get a bit annoyed with the press I get off the rags from my 'troubled son' Chance," he said.
"He's pretty clever, because he knows… there's this paparazzi guy who lives down our street, and he plays it up. But he's actually a hero."
Hogan added that Chance is still working hard to build his own career.
The 27-year-old is currently the lead singer of punk band Rowdy P.
"As soon as he does, I'll be back here (in Australia)- unless he comes with me, then I'll be back sooner," Hogan said.
Bowrey said the interview left her touched by Hogan's signature wit and warmth.
"He still has that gorgeous twinkle in his eye," she revealed after the interview on Sydney's 7NEWS.
"He's just the most delightful person to interview and spend time with."
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