John Cornell - Career

Career

As a journalist, Cornell reported on local events in Perth for The Daily News (a publication of West Australian Newspapers).

In 1971, while working as a producer for the television show A Current Affair, Cornell recognised the talents of a Sydney Harbour Bridge painter, Paul Hogan (who had been the subject of an interview by the station). Cornell became Hogan's manager and often appeared alongside him in his popular television show, The Paul Hogan Show, as a character called "Strop" (a dim-witted dinkum Australian surf lifesaver). He produced and co-wrote the screenplay for Hogan's 1986 film "Crocodile" Dundee—which became the highest grossing Australian film. He also produced and directed the successful 1988 sequel, "Crocodile" Dundee II.

Cornell worked closely with Kerry Packer and Austin Robertson in setting up World Series Cricket (WSC) in 1977. Based on a suggestion in 1976 by Dennis Lillee (whom Cornell was managing at the time), Cornell presented the idea to Kerry Packer—primarily with the aim of providing better financial rewards to the players. Cornell was actively involved in the recruitment of players for WSC, for example travelling to New Zealand to sign players (including Doug Walters). Cornell engaged the Mojo agency to produce radio and television advertisements to promote WSC—including the production of the jingle "C'mon Aussie C'mon".

Cornell and Hogan were investigated for tax evasion as part of the Australian Taxation Office's Project Wickenby. They were also investigated by the Australian Crime Commission "over the use of offshore accounts to bank royalties from the Crocodile Dundee films" (with both denying any dishonest conduct). In 2012 Hogan and Cornell confirmed that they had settled the eight-year dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.