At 85, Paul Hogan Confesses: ‘She was the Love of my Life’ | HO

Paul Hogan, the legendary Australian actor who brought Mick “Crocodile” Dundee to life, has spent decades in the spotlight. His story is one of humble beginnings, meteoric success, and the kind of fame that few ever experience.

But behind the blockbuster movies and international acclaim, Hogan’s greatest tale was never about Hollywood—it was about love. And now, at 85, Hogan has finally broken his silence about the woman who defined his heart: Linda Kozlowski.

A Love Born in the Outback—and Onscreen

The magic of Crocodile Dundee didn’t just come from its fish-out-of-water comedy or adventurous spirit. At its heart was the chemistry between Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton, played by Hogan and Kozlowski. Audiences around the world were captivated by the romance that unfolded on screen—a romance that soon mirrored real life.

Linda Kozlowski, a young actress from Connecticut, was on the cusp of her big break when she landed the role of Sue. She arrived on set expecting a career-defining opportunity, not a life-changing relationship. Hogan, meanwhile, was already a rising star in Australia, known for his wit and everyman charm.

The connection between the two was immediate and undeniable. Cast and crew noticed their effortless banter, and Kozlowski herself later admitted their chemistry felt magnetic, unlike anything she’d experienced before.

But there was one complication: Hogan was married to his first wife, Noelene Edwards, the mother of his five children. Their marriage had already weathered a divorce and reconciliation, but by the time Crocodile Dundee began filming, cracks were showing. Hogan’s growing bond with Kozlowski turned those cracks into irreparable fractures.

As the film’s success catapulted Hogan into international stardom, the media frenzy intensified. Tabloids speculated endlessly about his personal life, painting the story as both gossip and fairy tale—a national hero leaving a decades-long marriage for his glamorous co-star. For Hogan and Kozlowski, the attention was overwhelming, but their love felt real and fated. “You don’t get to choose these things,” Hogan once said, hinting at the inevitability of their connection.

From Bridge Painter to Global Icon

Paul Hogan’s rise to fame was as unlikely as it was inspiring. Born in Sydney, he grew up in a working-class family and spent his early years painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Comedy was never part of the plan—until Hogan appeared on New Faces, an Australian talent show, and won over audiences with his cheeky humor and authenticity.

Soon, he was hosting The Paul Hogan Show, delivering sketches that resonated with everyday Australians. His relatable persona made him a national treasure, and his fame extended beyond comedy when he starred in Australia’s tourism campaign, inviting the world to “Come and say G’day” and “Put another shrimp on the barbie.”

But Hogan wanted more than television fame. He dreamed of a film that would capture the true spirit of Australia, and that dream became Crocodile Dundee. Co-written by Hogan, the movie was a gamble—but it paid off spectacularly. When it premiered in 1986, the world fell in love with Mick Dundee, and Hogan became a global superstar overnight.

Love Amid Scandal

With fame came scrutiny. Hogan’s divorce from Noelene Edwards was dubbed “Australia’s ugliest,” with tabloids chronicling every twist. The public was divided—some saw Hogan as a national hero, others as a villain for leaving his wife for a younger American actress. Noelene became a figure of sympathy, while Hogan and Kozlowski were cast as the scandalous couple.

Behind the headlines, however, Hogan and Kozlowski were quietly building a life together. They didn’t flaunt their relationship, choosing instead to retreat from the media circus and focus on each other. Kozlowski understood the surreal world Hogan inhabited, and their bond deepened as they navigated fame and criticism.

In 1990, after years of public scrutiny, Hogan and Kozlowski married. It wasn’t the typical celebrity wedding—it was a statement of resilience. Their union gave Hogan a second chance at fatherhood, and in 1998, they welcomed their son, Chance. For Hogan, already a father of five, Chance represented a new chapter—a chance to parent with the wisdom and perspective gained from a life in the spotlight.

Building a Life Beyond Hollywood

By the late 1990s, Hogan and Kozlowski had built a life that straddled two worlds. They split their time between Australia and Los Angeles, eventually settling in California. Hollywood embraced them, but those close to the couple said they preferred quiet nights at home to glitzy parties.

Professionally, Hogan remained tied to the Crocodile Dundee legacy. While sequels never recaptured the original’s magic, they kept him in the public eye. Kozlowski reprised her role in the franchise, but eventually stepped back from acting to focus on family life.

For Hogan, these years were the happiest of his life. He often referred to Kozlowski as his soulmate, the person who balanced him in ways no one else could. Friends described a relationship built on laughter, intimacy, and mutual respect. Fame was always present, but within their home, life was simple and real.

Trials, Separation, and Enduring Connection

No relationship is immune to the pressures of fame and time. By the early 2000s, Hogan and Kozlowski faced challenges—Hollywood pressures, lifestyle differences, and the inevitable wear and tear of a long partnership. Kozlowski, who had given up her career for family, sometimes struggled with the sacrifices she’d made. Hogan, ever the performer, remained drawn to the limelight.

In 2013, the couple announced their separation, describing it as “amicable.” They emphasized their commitment to co-parenting Chance and avoided the bitter headlines that had plagued Hogan’s first divorce. For those close to them, the split was a bittersweet end to a story that had weathered scandal and fame.

Kozlowski later admitted that lifestyle differences played a major role—she craved a quieter, more adventurous life away from Hollywood, while Hogan remained attached to California and the entertainment industry. In 2014, their divorce was finalized, marked by sadness rather than scandal. Kozlowski moved to Morocco to run a luxury guesthouse, while Hogan stayed in Venice Beach, surrounded by memories of their life together.

Reunion and Reflection

Even after their marriage ended, Hogan and Kozlowski remained connected. Their son Chance kept them in each other’s lives, and rumors of a rekindled romance surfaced as paparazzi captured them together in Venice Beach in 2018. Friends hinted that the old spark had never truly disappeared, and both Hogan and Kozlowski acknowledged their enduring bond.

By 2021, Hogan’s health was making headlines, and Kozlowski was reportedly spending more time with him, caring for his well-being. In 2023, reports emerged that the former couple had quietly rekindled their closeness, if not a full romantic reunion.

On his 85th birthday in 2024, Hogan finally opened up in a heartfelt interview. Reflecting on his life, fame, and relationships, he confessed, “Linda was the love of my life. She always was.” It was a moment of closure—not just for Hogan, but for fans who had followed their story for nearly four decades.

A Legacy of Love and Regret

Hogan’s confession wasn’t about regret—it was about gratitude. “Fame gave me success, but Linda gave me joy,” he said, summing up the lesson of a life lived in the public eye. Despite the distance and the choices that drove them apart, Kozlowski remained the love of his life.

For fans, Hogan’s story is more than a celebrity romance—it’s a tale of love that endured scandal, separation, and the passage of time. Kozlowski herself once acknowledged Hogan was “one in a million,” and their connection, forged in the fires of fame and adversity, defied the odds.

At 85, Hogan offered no fairy-tale ending, just the truth. His words remind us that even legends carry regrets and memories that never fade. Love, once found, never truly leaves. For Paul Hogan, as the years pass and the headlines fade, there is only one Linda Kozlowski.