Editing Geoffrey Rush (section)

===1979–1995: Rise to prominence ===
Rush made his theatre debut in the QTC's production of ''Wrong Side of the Moon''. He worked with the QTC for four years, appearing in roles ranging across classical plays and pantomime, from ''[[Juno and the Paycock]]'' to ''Hamlet on Ice''. Following these, Rush left for Paris where he studied further. Rush made his film debut in the Australian film ''Hoodwink'' in 1981. His next film was [[Gillian Armstrong]]'s ''[[Starstruck (1982 film)|Starstruck]]'', the following year. Rush's acting credits include [[William Shakespeare]]'s plays ''[[The Winter's Tale]]'' (with the [[State Theatre Company of South Australia]] in 1987 at The Playhouse in [[Adelaide]]) and ''[[Troilus and Cressida]]'' (at the [[Old Museum Building, Brisbane|Old Museum Building]] in 1989). He also appeared in an ongoing production of [[Oscar Wilde]]'s ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' as John Worthing (Ernest) (in which his wife, [[Jane Menelaus]], appeared as Gwendolen).

In the 1990s Rush appeared in small roles on television dramas, including a role as a dentist in a 1993 episode of the British television series ''[[Lovejoy]]''. Rush starred opposite [[Cate Blanchett]] in a production of [[David Mamet]]'s two-character play ''[[Oleanna (play)|Oleanna]]'' (1993) at the [[Sydney Theatre Company]]. It was Blanchett's first major role after graduating from the [[National Institute of Dramatic Arts]]. Rush played a university professor entangled with a student played by Blanchett.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2015/aug/07/cate-blanchett-and-richard-roxburgh-two-decades-on-stage-for-the-sydney-theatre-company-in-pictures|title= Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh: two decades on stage for the Sydney Theatre Company – in pictures|website= [[The Guardian]]|date= 7 August 2015|accessdate= March 8, 2025|last1= Froggatt|first1= Emma}}</ref> She described the role as a "seminal one for [her], which hit the world at that time, making it electric."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.com/2008/01/24/interview-sbiffs-modern-master-cate-blanchett/|title= An Interview with SBIFF's Modern Master, Cate Blanchett|website= Santa Barbra Independent|date= 24 January 2008|accessdate= March 8, 2025}}</ref> She also described Rush as a mentor to her.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/magazine/what-the-camera-sees-in-her.html|title= What the Cmera Sees in Her|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= 9 November 2003|accessdate= March 8, 2025|last1= Merkin|first1= Daphne}}</ref> Rush also continued his work in theatre. In 1994, Rush played [[Horatio (Hamlet)|Horatio]] in a production of ''[[Prince Hamlet|Hamlet]]'' alongside [[Richard Roxburgh]], [[Jacqueline McKenzie]] and [[David Wenham]] in the [[Company B (theatre)|Company B]] production at the [[Belvoir St Theatre]] in Sydney.