Anh Real: Why Australia loves Anh Do and he loves Italy

ANH Do will have a crack at anything, even when it means a world of pain. Here’s what happened when ‘The Happiest Refugee’ tackled Italy.

ANH Do’s philosophy in life isn’t for the faint of heart.

Inspired by the resilience and courage of his refugee father, Tam — who captained a small fishing boat of 40 people, all fleeing Vietnam and bound for Australia back in 1980 — Do often poses himself a simple but confronting question when considering new projects or challenges.

“I ask myself this: ‘if I fail, are 40 people going to die, including my wife and my young children? If the answer is ‘no,’ then let’s move forward and have a crack,’” Do tells TV Guide.

With little fear of failure, it’s the Australian comedy favourite’s ‘have a go’ attitude which has connected him to local audiences and made his travel series for Channel Seven such a surprising hit.

His infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy are apparent from the opening credits of his latest adventure, Anh Does Italy — and within minutes, so too the risk.

MORE: Russell Crowe to make a film based on Anh Do’s book

You wanna pizza me? ... Anh Does Italy host Anh Do. Picture: Nigel Lough

Throwing himself into the first day of filming, taking on locals in a game of bubble soccer (where competitors wear an inflatable body suit), the rugby league fanatic came off second best after being blindsided in a tackle.

“So I get hit from the side and I ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament in the knee). A serious injury,” he explains.

“The producer said, ‘Look, mate, we can go home. It’s your call.’ But I thought to myself, we’ve come all this way and I’ve got all this fun stuff coming up, so I said, you know, hit me with the painkillers.”

Even doped up, nothing could dull Do’s approach to the show’s physically-demanding itinerary, even if it was excruciating at times.

Portrait of a man ... Anh Does Brazil host Anh Do with Brazilian street artist Kobra. Pic: Supplied.

Days after the bubble ball blunder, Do was literally back on the horse, ‘tearing down a bumpy field on these dodgy antique chariots, at lightning speed and holding on with one leg’.

“The horse has turned the corner and I’m thinking ‘I’m going to fly off here’ and I’m bracing for the fall but I just hang on by my fingertips.”

It was with the same reckless abandon which Do ‘did’’ Vietnam, Britain, Scandinavia, Iceland and Brazil — all ratings winners for Seven.

“I like getting in there and having a go. I just can’t help myself. My wife (Suzanne) reckons I’m still like a bit of a kid, you know and that’s what I feel like in these countries. Everything is amazing and I just love it all.”

Happy family ... Anh Do and his wife Suzanne were among a select group of guests who lunched with Queen Elizabeth at Government House in 2011. Picture: Ray Strange.

“A lot of these countries, we show them Anh Does Vietnam or one of the previous series and they get that it’s a really ‘up’ show. It’s funny and it’s warm and I’m not there to pay out anyone.”

Challenging himself is also part of the appeal for the 38-year-old, whose personal credits also include best-selling author [his autobiography, The Happiest Refugee was a smash hit upon release in 2011, while latest children’s book series, Weirdo continue to sell like hot cakes]; actor [he got his break in acclaimed ABC drama SeaChange, but is best known as Chen Chong Fat aka Keith in SBS comedy series, Pizza]; as well as artist [he was a finalist in last year’s Archibald portrait prize].

Getting up close to the works of European masters like Da Vinci and Caravaggio on his latest TV trip was a life moment, he says.

“You go to Florence and all the paintings you’ve seen in books are there,” Do says, breathlessly. “To see them in real life, it just blows your mind.”

New experience ... Anh Does Italy host Anh Do with Romeo and Juliet. Picture: Channel 7.

AND ANH-OTHER THING ... RUSTY’S A FAN

IT remains one of the hottest political topics of the day, but Anh Do is cool, not complacent, when it comes to the refugee debate.

Asked why he’s never been drawn into the asylum seeker controversy, Do is simply not interested in being anyone’s mouthpiece.

“I’m not a megaphone sort of guy. I just let my art talk for itself,” he says.

Russell Crowe, who will direct a film adaptation of The Happiest Refugee, was more effusive about the talented Australian, telling TV Guide exclusively: “Anh Do possesses a deep well of creativity — a renaissance man if ever there was one. His stand up comedy makes me laugh, his public speaking gives me goosebumps, his writing engages me emotionally and his painting impresses me. It’s pretty obvious I’m a fan, right?”

Crowe continued: “I hope to bring his family’s story to the big screen to honour their journey and sacrifice but also to honour the country they chose as their new home.”

The emphatic and touching celebrity endorsement would no doubt embarrass Do, who regards himself as an introvert at heart.

Voyager ... Do arrived in Australia from Vietnam in 1980 aboard a leaking fishing boat, captained by his father Tam. Pic: Supplied.

“If you ask my friends. I was one of the quietest guys in school. I love the company of my family and I like being on stage performing because I’m interested in people. I’d rather sit and listen to a conversation and learn about people.”

It’s that natural warmth and curiosity which probably explains why Do was recently voted in at number five in a top 10 of Australia’s most popular personalities — a result Do finds amusing.

“I’m not even the fifth most popular person in my family, so I don’t know where they did that poll,” he jokes.

“There’s six people in our family and I reckon I may just squeeze in at number five, because my third son is pretty annoying. And he can’t read yet ... luckily.”

ANH DOES ITALY

TUESDAY, 7.30PM and THURSDAY, 8PM, SEVEN