Bryan Brown's Journey from Disliking English to Becoming a Crime Writer
Bryan Brown had little interest in literature during his childhood in Sydney. However, a long plane journey revealed his talent for storytelling.
A Recognizable and Charismatic Actor
In person, Bryan Brown is exactly as expected—ruggedly handsome, charismatic, and known for his colorful language. At 78 years old, he remains instantly recognizable from numerous roles in iconic productions including The Thorn Birds, Breaker Morant, and alongside stars like Tom Cruise in Cocktail and Sigourney Weaver in Gorillas In The Mist.
Transition to Writing
Beyond acting, Brown has established himself as a bestselling author. He is not limited to Hollywood memoirs but excels as a crime writer. His debut book, Sweet Jimmy, a collection of short stories, was published in 2021. This was followed by his first novel, The Drowning, in 2023. Most recently, his third book, The Hidden, was released.
From School Struggles to Literary Success
“I hated English at school. Because we got things like Great Expectations to read …”
He admits that while the Dickens classic is a great novel, it was not appealing to him as a child aged 12 to 16 eager to play sports.
Current Life
We met for lunch in Fitzroy. Although Brown lives in Sydney with his wife, actor and director Rachel Ward, he was in Melbourne for a podcast appearance. On the subject, he remarked,
“I’ve never listened to a podcast, ever.”
This shift from dismissing literature to becoming a respected storyteller highlights Brown's unexpected creative evolution.
Author’s summary: Bryan Brown’s early aversion to reading transformed into a successful writing career, proving passion can emerge long after youthful resistance.