Neighbours has launched a galaxy of stars in its 30 years. Take a look at our picture special of 14 of its stars ‘Then and Now’.
Related: Special feature: Neighbours turns 30
1. Guy Pearce
Serious Mike Young went on to have a serious acting career; Pearce has won awards here and in Hollywood over 30 stellar years. Then photo: Channel 10. Now photo: Simon Schluter, The Age
2. Delta Goodrem
Delta’s stardom led her to a gig on Ramsay Street, instead of the other way around, after producers noticed her first ever music video. Then photo: Simon Schluter, The Age. Now photo: Mike Bowers, Sydney Morning Herald
3. Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Nat Bass’ Izzy was all sharp edges and soft centres, an edgy yet appealing combination she later parlayed into pop stardom. Then photo: Channel 10. Now photo: Simon Schluter, The Age
4. Craig McLachlan
Playing street-smart Henry Ramsay, McLachlan ditched the poodle perm for a career that often combined acting with his musical chops. Then photo: Channel 10. Now photo: ABC
5. Blair McDonough
He didn’t win Big Brother, but his reality TV stint did win Blair McDonough the role of Stuart Parker: policeman, and sometimes cult member. Then photo: Sun Herald. Now photo: Craig Sillitoe, The Age
6. Natalie Imbruglia
Imbruglia’s stint on Neighbours was memorable, but relatively brief; her singing career proved to be more successful, and she had one of the iconic songs of the late ’90s with Torn. Then photo: FremantleMedia. Now photo: James Brickwood, Fairfax
7. Margot Robbie
A more recent Ramsay Street alumna, Robbie catapulted to stardom after a prominent role in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street. Then photo: FremantleMedia. Now photo: The Age
8. Caitlin Stasey
Stasey’s decision to leave Neighbours to focus on her studies is a nice teaser for her smart, stylised brand of feminism on herself.com. Then photo: Shaney Balcombe, Sunday Age. Now photo: Getty Images
9. Nicola Charles
Neighbours remains one of Australia’s most successful exports to the UK; Charles moved in the other direction, and her eventual departure home was mirrored in the way her character left the show. Then photo: Ken James, Sun Herald. Now photo: FremantleMedia
10. Holly Valance
Flick Scully and Holly Valance both left Australia for the US – Valance to juggle a music career with prominent acting roles in film, television and video games. Then photo: Dallas Kilponen, Sun Herald. Now photo: Getty Images
11. Rachel Friend
Kylie and Jason weren’t the only off-screen couple, Rachel Friend (Bronwyn Davies) married Craig McLachlan (Henry Ramsay) in 1993. They divorced a year later; Friend is now a TV host and journalist. Then photo: FremantleMedia. Now photo: Sahlan Hayes, Sydney Morning Herald
12. Nicky Whelan
A successful actor and host before her Neighbours stint, Whelan is perhaps best remembered for that kiss in 2007. She’s now steadily working in Hollywood. Then photo: FremantleMedia. Now photo: Andrew De La Rue, The Age
13. Liam Hemsworth
Liam has been following in the footsteps of big brother Chris – from Ramsay Street to the hearts and lunchboxes of boys and girls the world over. Then photo: FremantleMedia. Now photo: Steven Siewert, The Age
14. Kylie Minogue
Kylie can thank Neighbours for springboarding her into the sort of celebrity stratosphere reserved for those so famous they don’t need a surname. Then photo: Channel 10. Now photo: Venturelli, Getty Images
