From the Bay to LA: All the Hollywood stars you forgot were on Home And Away

Melissa George: Angel Parrish (1993-1996)

THEN: During the ’90s, Melissa George became Australia’s sweetheart after

she won the role of Angel. Fans were devastated when Angel’s love affair with Shane (Dieter Brummer) ended in tragedy when he suddenly collapsed during a family picnic and died from septicaemia.

NOW: After nabbing a small role in 2001 film Mulholland Drive and a guest spot in iconic sitcom Friends, the star’s career took off. Melissa has since appeared in Alias, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife and Nine’s recent drama series Bad Mothers.

Julian McMahon: Ben Lucini (1990–1991)

THEN: He was a soldier from an Italian family who fell for Carly (Sharyn Hodgson). They kissed, skinny-dipped, and eventually married. Ben was later arrested for going AWOL from the army.

NOW: After making the move to LA, Julian, 49, hit the ground running with a role in the soap Another World. But it was his gig as Dr Christian Troy in saucy series Nip/Tuck that really put him on the map.

Luke Bracey: Trey Palmer (2009-2010)

THEN: The actor’s debut role came about in 2009 when he played bad boy Trey. During his time, Trey clashed with Geoff (Lincoln Lewis) and even planted a bomb on a school bus!

NOW: The star is making strides in Hollywood with leading roles in romantic drama The Best Of Me, as well as Point Break, Hacksaw Ridge and Lucky Day.

His most recent flick starring alongside Emma Roberts was rom-com hit Holidate.

Heath Ledger: Scott Irwin (1997)

THEN: Before he hit the big time, Heath had a short stint as bad boy Scott. The character’s claim to fame was that he stole poor Sally’s (Kate Ritchie) heart, seducing her in the back of a panel van.

NOW: Most of us know what Heath did next – and how sad it was when his acting career was cut short when he died in 2008 at the age of 28. Some of his most memorable movies were 10 Things I Hate About You, Brokeback Mountain and his Oscar-winning turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Ryan Kwanten: Vinnie Patterson (1997-2002)

THEN: Loveable larrikin Vinnie had just become a new dad when he was jailed for fraud. His wife, Leah (Ada Nicodemou), was later told Vinnie, now in witness protection, had died in a farming accident.

NOW: Ryan hit the big time in the US when he was cast as Jason Stackhouse in hit vampire series True Blood. He came back to Oz to voice Blinky Bill in the 2015 movie of the same name, and appeared in action flick The Hurricane Heist.

Luke Mitchell:Romeo Smith (2009-2013)

THEN: Summer Bay heartthrob, surfer and gym enthusiast Romeo certainly attracted plenty of attention from the ladies during his time on the beach. But despite a brief dalliance with Ruby – played by his real-life wife, Rebecca Breeds – it was Indi (Samara Weaving) who won his heart.

NOW: Luke made his tough-guy mark in action series The Tomorrow People and Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., before landing his role as Roman in the hit drama Blindspot. He went on to star in CBS drama The Code and just scored a major role in Hollywood movie Without Remorse alongside Michael B. Jordan. He’s currently filming a new series called The Republic of Sarah which is due to air this year.

Kassandra Clementi: Maddy Osborne (2013-2016)

THEN: Kassandra made her name as wild child Maddy. The runaway teen flipped between boys in the Bay. But life took a serious turn when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She fought the disease, but suffered further pain when she lost her arm in a gas explosion.

NOW: Kassandra has starred alongside fellow Aussie Josh Lawson in Becoming Bond and US drama flick Big Muddy. She also starred in the third season of UnReal.

Chris Hemsworth: Kim Hyde (2004-2007)

THEN: Country lad Kim stole hearts in Summer Bay, fell into a paternity mix-up and, eventually, married a local doctor. But a baby bombshell saw him leave town to be with the mother of his child.

NOW: The Aussie actor is best known as hammer-wielding superhero Thor, but the star has also flexed his comedic chops in the Ghostbusters reboot and taken to the track in the Ron Howard film Rush.

Nicole De Silva: Jane Sims (2006)

THEN: Nicole had a small role as a student who met Kim and Robbie for a swim. She ended up locking lips with Robbie.

NOW: Nicole has had great success in local series such as Rush and Doctor Doctor. She garnered an international fan base as tough-as-nails Franky Doyle in Wentworth.

Isabel Lucas: Tasha Andrews (2003-2006)

THEN: Tasha’s arrival in Summer Bay was met with great mystery – and some pig Latin. It turned out, she was adopted by survivalist parents and fled the camp.

NOW: After her three-year stint in the Bay, Isabel headed to Hollywood. She caught a lucky break in 2009 with a role in the blockbuster movie Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. The actress has since starred in 2012 film Red Dawn with former co-star Chris Hemsworth, as well as the new season of MacGyver.

Tammin Sursok: Dani Sutherland (2000-2004)

THEN: Headstrong schoolgirl Dani made quite the impression. She found love with Scott (Kip Gamblin), became a victim of assault, and even went to prison for attempted murder!

NOW: Tammin’s dramatic flair saw her join the cast of The Young And The Restless in 2007. However, the her most recognisable role to date was playing the conniving Jenna Marshall in Pretty Little Liars for the past seven years. She will play burns survivor Turia Pitt in an upcoming biopic.

Samara Weaving: Indi Walker (2009 – 2013)

THEN: Indi’s relationship with Romeo Smith dominated her time in the Bay, though she was devastated when he disappeared and eventually found out he lost his battle with skin cancer. Grief-stricken, Indi left the Bay to travel overseas.

NOW: Samara recently received high praise for her leading role as Grace in horror film Ready Or Not. She’s also been a lead in the comedy series SMILF and had a part in the 2018 Oscar-winning indie film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

She’s recently appeared in Netflix series Hollywood, and is set to star in Nine Perfect Strangers and an Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte biopic being touted as the next Bridgerton.

Rebecca Breeds: Ruby Buckton (2008 – 2012)

THEN: Rebecca played the misunderstood character of Ruby for several years in Summer Bay. The at times outcast character ultimately left when she tampered with the breaks of a car, which led to serious injuries for Dexter.

NOW: These days, Rebecca is slaying the screen in international Stan hit, Clarice. “It’s a role I’ve been dreaming of having my entire life: the girl who tells the story and drives the narrative,” the actress told TV WEEK. Oh, did we mention the other thing – her marriage to another Summer Bay alum making it in Hollywood?

Luke Mitchell: Romeo Smith (2009 – 2013)

THEN: Yep, Luke and Rebecca fell in love on-set of Home and Away during their several-year stint on the show. Playing character Romeo, the gentle-hearted surfer ran the Surf Club gym before being diagnosed with stage four cancer – he quietly left Summer Bay in order to spend his last months away from his nearest and dearest for fear of them having to watch him suffer.

NOW: The first trailer for Luke’s new blockbuster film Without Remorse was released earlier this year with fans lapping up the glimpses of the former Summer Bay lad. The actor is now working on a new TV series with popular US network CW, The Republic of Sarah.