From principal dancer to politician, Paul Mercurio has lived several distinct, successful lives.

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Paul Mercurio is best known for his breakout role in the 1992 film Strictly Ballroom, but his career spans far beyond the screen. A former principal dancer, television judge, and cookbook author, he has reinvented himself repeatedly, eventually transitioning from the arts into the world of Victorian state politics.

Born in 1963, Mercurio began his professional journey in dance, training at the Australian Ballet School before becoming a principal dancer with the Sydney Dance Company at just 19 years old. He spent a decade in that role, choreographing six works for the company before founding the Australian Choreographic Ensemble in 1992. His film career launched with the success of Strictly Ballroom, though he famously declined a role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to avoid being typecast.

Mercurio’s versatility extended into television and culinary arts. He served as a judge on Dancing with the Stars until 2008 and later hosted several cooking series, including Mercurio's Menu. His interest in food led to the publication of multiple best-selling cookbooks and the creation of his own beer company, Beerlicious. His personal history is equally complex; in 2012, he discovered through the show Who Do You Think You Are? that his grandfather had been involved with the Sicilian mafia in Milwaukee during the 1950s.

In 2020, Mercurio entered public service as a councillor for the Mornington Peninsula Shire. By 2022, he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly representing Hastings. His political tenure has focused on local infrastructure, notably securing funding for the first regular cross-peninsula public transport service since 1981. This transition from the stage to parliament marks the latest chapter in a life defined by constant professional evolution and a willingness to engage with diverse public roles.

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