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Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, actors, directors, producers and several pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 11 books, including Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly.

@TroyBramston

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interviewReview

Actors (L-R) Harold Ramis, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in 1984 film 'Ghostbusters'.

‘Before me, no one knew what ectoplasm was’

Returning with Bill Murray for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, comedy legend Dan Aykroyd reveals the actual scientific formula behind the success of the beloved ‘80s franchise.

Troy Bramston

EXCLUSIVEReview

(Steve Martin), shown. (Photo by: Caitlin Cronenberg/Hulu)

Steve Martin’s life of laughter, against the odds

When Steve Martin quit stand-up comedy in 1981, he was drawing the biggest audiences ever seen for a comedy act. He pivoted to movies, emulating his comedic heroes, and found huge success. Now – a glimpse into his third act.

Troy Bramston

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Charles in December 2023; Anthony Albanese

Integrity, empathy, love: PM’s secret letters to King

Despite still having an assistant minister for the republic, secret letters reveal the depth of republican Anthony Albanese’s warmth and affection for King Charles.

Troy Bramston

Q&AWeekend Australian Magazine

Alastair Campbell. Photo: Julian Benjamin

‘You’ve got to frame it as: Lots done, lots to do, lots to lose’

He was Tony Blair’s wingman during the New Labour era. So what advice would Alastair Campbell give to Anthony Albanese?

Troy Bramston

fan favoriteBooks

‘Don’t call me Shirley’: How Flying High! changed movie comedy

When Airplane! – known in Australia as Flying High! – opened in cinemas in mid-1980, it proved to be a box office smash, critically acclaimed as one of the all-time funniest movies.

Troy Bramston

InquirerInquirer

Julia Gillard in Adelaide SA 5000, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Gillard the very (dignified) model of a modern ex-PM

Australia has 30 ex-PMs and the newest member needs to find his lane for the next phase of life.

Troy Bramston

Q&AWeekend Australian Magazine

What could stop Sir Keir from becoming UK PM?

Polls show Labour headed for a landslide election victory. What could go wrong? Former Blair spin doctor Alastair Campbell weighs in.

Troy Bramston

CommentaryCommentary

(FILES) Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison waves as he arrives with his family to speak at a Liberal election night event after the Australian general election in Sydney on May 21, 2022. Former Australian premier Morrison on January 23, 2024, said he was leaving politics to pursue a business career, calling time on a contentious career. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

History delivers mixed verdict on Scott Morrison’s prime ministership

The May 2022 election defeat will weigh heavily on Morrison’s historical standing.

Troy Bramston

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

(FILES): This 09 February 1987 file photo shows former US president Ronald Reagan sporting a bushman's hat -- won in a bet with Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke -- during ceremonies in Washington, DC, honoring the Stars and Stripes crew for their America's Cup victory in Fremantle, Australia. Ronald Reagan, a two-term president, died at 93 on 05 June 2004. (FILM) AFP PHOTO/FILES/MIKE SARGENT p13// (FILES): This 09 February 1987 file photo shows former US president Ronald Reagan sporting a bushman's hat -- won in a bet with Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke -- during ceremonies in Washington, DC, honoring the Stars and Stripes crew for their America's Cup victory in Fremantle, Australia. Ronald Reagan, a two-term president, died at 93 on 05 June 2004. (FILM) AFP PHOTO/FILES/MIKE SARGENT

Reagan ‘a fumbling, bumbling president’

Once secret diplomatic records disclose what Bob Hawke was told about Ronald Reagan in his final months as president, and vice-president George HW Bush’s chances of winning the 1988 election.

Troy Bramston

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Prime Minister Bob Hawke and President Ronald Reagan at the White House, 1986.

Hawke rejected Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ plea

Newly declassified records reveal Bob Hawke’s high-level talks with Ronald Reagan over his Strategic Defence Initiative.

Troy Bramston

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/troy-bramston/page/8