ICONIC Australian actor Paul Hogan admitted during an interview that he has suffered setbacks amid an ongoing health battle that has left him frail. Hogan is best known for his role in Crocodile Dundee, a 1986 action-comedy movie that became a worldwide phenomenon.
The actor presently lives in California, United States with his son Chance but says he’s struggling since he had a pacemaker fitted.
“I’ve been better. I had a problem with my aorta and kidney. The treatment fixed it, but it shrunk me,” the 83-year-old told Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair.
“I’ve lost all my body fat and muscles shrank. I had to get Chance to open jars for me. I’ve just got zero body fat.” “Quite a few of my friends on diets hate me for it because I try and eat everything fatty and lardy you can think of. Everything they’re not allowed to have. I can’t put on an ounce.”
He explained his disappointment and sadness with how quickly his health deteriorated after keeping fit all the way through his 70s.
“I maintained, right up until 79 I was still fit,” he said. “I’d still take out most 40-year-olds then I turned 80 and there’s a saying that turning 80’s not for sissies because things start to fall apart but, no, I can’t complain.”
Hogan said his 24-year-old son Chance, whom he shares with ex-wife, American actress Linda Kozlowski, was the only reason he is still residing in United States.
“I’m not in the place I’m meant to be but I’m not allowed to complain about anything,” he continued.
“I’ve had such a gifted life. I’ve had so many wonderful things happen to me without deserving them so I shouldn’t complain but, yeah, ideally, I’d rather be back in Sydney because I miss the rest of my family there.”
Hogan explained he’s been feeling “homesick for years” in October.
“I miss the people, the ambience – and there’s something you just can’t put your finger on, but there’s something about Australia that is friendlier and more laidback,” he said.
“I’d rather be there, but I have my last child [Chance] who is an American – he only has me, whereas my tribe at home, they’ve all got each other.” Hogan and Kozlowski, who played his love interest on Crocodile Dundee, moved to United States in the 90s, shortly before Kozlowski’s mother died of cancer. The pair finalised their divorce in 2014.
“Then the years have slipped by, and I’m sort of stuck here,” Hogan added.
“I’ve got 10 grandchildren and they are all adults – but for Chance, the only family he’s got is me. All his friends, his band, musician mates, girlfriends, everything – they’re all American.
“So, I’m hanging here a bit longer, but eventually I’ll get back.” – The Vibes, November 9, 2022
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