Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Jason Donovan thank TV titan Brian Walsh for their careers

Some of Australia’s biggest international successes have thanked the late Brian Walsh, inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame, for igniting their careers.

Homegrown Hollywood superstars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness joined Jason Donovan to thank television titan, the late Brian Walsh, for their careers as he was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.

Kidman, in a video message, thanked the “extraordinary man and human being” for her start on the Vietnam miniseries.

Donovan said Walsh paved the way for him, Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and many others to have international careers.

Nicole Kidman paid tribute to Brian Walsh for kickstarting her career with the series Vietnam. Picture: Channel 7

“He masterminded the publicity campaign that helped propel the ‘Neighbours’ phenomenon worldwide,” he said.

It was left to long-time collaborator actor Marta Dusseldorp and new Sunrise host Matt Shirvington to pay tribute on the Star stage to their good friend and mentor, as he was posthumously awarded the highest honour in the Australian television industry.

“Walshy, we miss you mate,” Shirvo said, as he listed Walsh’s many achievements and shared how he helped him navigate the media when he was still an athlete.

Jason Donovan was one of several Aussie success stories who credited Brian Walsh with getting them to an international audience. Picture: Channel 7

Dusseldorp, who worked with him on Wentworth, A Place To Call Home and The Twelve added: “Collectively tonight, we salute and celebrate your extraordinary vision and I, for one, promise to respect and further your legacy to make you proud and see your Walshy grin”.

“I promise, Brian, to continue telling stories from Australia for Australians and the world to see,” she said.

Hugh Jackman Deborra-Lee Furness joined Aussie superstars via video link to honour Brian Walsh as he was posthumously inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame. Picture: Channel 7

The segment included clips with the man himself humbly saying: “I’d to like to think I made a difference …. television is my life.”

“ And I couldn’t imagine life any other way. It would be boring. This is my life. And my love. And my passion. And I’m just incredibly grateful.”

Walsh, whose shock passing on March 16 devastated the industry, launched hundreds of shows and thousands of careers.

He supervised all scripted and unscripted commissions in his almost three decades with the Foxtel Group, including the beloved television series Wentworth, Upright, Deadline Gallipoli, The Kettering Incident, The End and most recently the award-winning and globally distributed series Love Me, Colin from Accounts and The Twelve.

Originally published as Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Jason Donovan thank TV titan Brian Walsh for their careers