February 8, 2026 — 1:40pm
Geoffrey Rush, the acclaimed 74-year-old actor, recently attended a 30th anniversary screening of Shine on the Gold Coast. The Australian film, which won him an Oscar and launched his Hollywood career, was celebrated with a Q&A session alongside director Scott Hicks and David Helfgott, the pianist Rush portrayed. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Rush was quick to clarify that he is not staging a comeback.
“There were a few lost years,” Rush admitted, addressing the audience. “Not too many. Not as many as people think. I get the buzz around people going, ‘Oh, a comeback’. No, no, no, [I] haven’t been [away].” Instead, he described a period of reflection following a highly publicized legal battle that took a toll on his personal and professional life.
Legal Battles and Personal Reflection
The actor’s career was marred by a defamation lawsuit against Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, which published allegations of inappropriate behavior during the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2015-16 season of King Lear. Rush won the case, receiving a record $2.87 million in damages in 2019. The allegations, which he vehemently denied, were a significant factor in his temporary retreat from the spotlight.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Rush said, “It hurt because of the environment in which it happened.” He expressed a sense of betrayal, noting, “I spoke to a writer friend who was a journo, who said I wouldn’t be surprised if they [the Telegraph] went, ‘even if it costs us a few million we’re really keen on having that pun on the front page of the paper’. But it was what it was. I’ve moved on.”
Career Choices and Future Projects
Following the court case, Rush took time to reassess his career path. “When I sat back for a bit after the court case, I just looked at what I really wanted to do,” he explained. This introspection led him to focus on “very special projects.” One such opportunity was a film adaptation of King Lear offered by director Des McAnuff, originally starring Christopher Plummer. After Plummer’s passing, Rush was considered for the role but ultimately declined, feeling it was “good part, wrong time.”
Rush also turned down a role in The Comey Rule, a miniseries about FBI director James Comey, where he was asked to portray President Trump. “I’d like to think I’m a versatile character actor, but he’s a potato, and I’m a piece of asparagus,” he quipped, praising Brendan Gleeson’s performance instead.
The Impact of Shine and Looking Forward
Despite the challenges, Rush remains grateful for the opportunities Shine afforded him. “My career is now 55 years old,” he reflected. “Shine, my second feature film, just opened the door like in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I went in one side and came out the other. It was quite transformational and quite an adventure.”
As he looks to the future, Rush is focused on projects that excite him, though he remains uncertain about returning to the stage. “I suppose being more honest with myself about the choices I’m making. I want to do things that excite me … Maybe I’ll get back on stage [but] I don’t know if I’ve quite got the same zeal.”
While Rush has been through turbulent times, his passion for acting and commitment to meaningful work remain undiminished. As he navigates this new phase of his career, audiences can expect to see him in roles that reflect his enduring talent and thoughtful approach to the craft.
