What ever happened to the other stars of Nicole Kidman’s classic 80s crime comedy BMX Bandits?

What ever happened to the other stars of Nicole Kidman's classic 80s crime comedy BMX Bandits?

As I reflect upon the fascinating lives of these individuals who graced the screen in BMX Bandits, it is truly awe-inspiring to see the diverse paths their careers have taken since that iconic film.

Angela Bishop, for instance, has transitioned seamlessly from an extra on the left at the Waterworks to becoming a renowned entertainment reporter and host of Studio 10. Her journey serves as a reminder that even the smallest roles can pave the way for greatness.

David Gulpilil, on the other hand, captured our hearts with his portrayal of Mick, but his career-defining role in Gallipoli cemented his place in Australian cinema history. It is inspiring to witness the resilience and versatility he demonstrated throughout his life, both on and off screen.

Nicole Kidman’s performance as Pike in BMX Bandits was just a glimpse of her extraordinary talent that would later catapult her to international stardom. It is remarkable to see how she has continued to captivate audiences with her exceptional acting skills, gracing the screens in films like Moulin Rouge! and The Hours.

Angela Bishop’s brief appearance in BMX Bandits was a mere stepping stone for her illustrious career as a TV presenter, but it serves as a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams, no matter how small the start. And as for David Gulpilil, his life and career serve as an inspiration for indigenous Australians and cinema lovers alike, reminding us that talent knows no bounds.

Now, if only I could get a BMX Bandits reunion with these incredible talents, we’d all be in for a real treat! Let’s hope they’re up for a spin down memory lane someday!

It was the film that gave the world one of its very first glimpses of superstar Nicole Kidman.

1983’s crime-comedy BMX Bandits, now regarded as a cult favorite, is essential viewing for dedicated fans of the Babygirl star.

The movie BMX Bandits was led by Brian Trenchard-Smith, who is recognized for producing numerous action movies with limited budgets, including Turkey Shoot and The Man From Hong Kong.

This director had made ten feature films, and among them, this one is perhaps the most famously recognized in his impressive body of work.

The movie chronicles the adventures of teen BMX enthusiasts P.J (played by Angelo D’Angelo) and Goose (James Lugton). After crossing paths with a girl named Judy (portrayed by Nicole), they stumble upon a collection of walkie-talkies, leading them to exciting new experiences.

In a short while, the threesome uncover a group of lawbreakers, headed by a man known as The Boss (Bryan Marshall), who aim to execute a payroll robbery employing the walkie-talkies for their scheme.

What ever happened to the other stars of Nicole Kidman's classic 80s crime comedy BMX Bandits?

After discussing it among themselves, the three bandits devise a strategy to prevent the upcoming robbery, leading to a series of unexpected BMX stunts (spoiler: lots of them).

As a devoted follower, I can tell you that upon its debut, the movie resonated strongly with audiences. In fact, Trenchard-Smith himself revealed in the commentary for the Blu-ray version that it earned over $1 million during its initial six weeks and ranked as the fifth highest-grossing film in the UK that particular year.

So just what happened to the main cast of BMX Bandits?

Nicole Kidman

It goes without saying that the illustrious career of Hollywood icon Nicole Kidman following her time with BMX Bandits has received considerable attention.

Following an exceptional Australian acting journey that included roles in films like the Philip Noyce-directed suspenseful drama “Dead Calm” and television series such as “The Bangkok Hilton” and “Vietnam”, Nicole cemented her place in Hollywood.

In the ’90s movie “Days of Thunder,” she gained global recognition and had the chance to meet her initial spouse, Tom Cruise, for the very first time.

Building upon her initial triumphs, Nicole continued to shine in notable productions such as Far and Away, To Die For, Batman Forever, and Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut.

Or:

Nicole’s career escalated with one hit after another, featuring her in films like Far and Away, To Die For, Batman Forever, and the last movie of auteur director Stanley Kubrick, Eyes Wide Shut.

Both sentences convey a similar meaning but use different structures for variety.

In 2002, Nicole clinched an Academy Award for Best Actress, thanks to her exceptional portrayal of Virginia Woolfe in the dramatic film The Hours. She also received nominations for her roles in Moulin Rouge!, Rabbit Hole, Lion, and Being The Ricardos.

Still at the top of her game, Nicole was most recently seen in the 2024 erotic thriller Babygirl.

2025 Golden Globe Awards will see her nominated in the Best Actress category, with the event scheduled for January 5th.

On Christmas Eve in 1990, Nicole tied the knot with Tom Cruise, from the Mission Impossible series, during a private wedding ceremony held in Telluride, Colorado, in her personal life.

They adopted two children, Isabella Jane and Connor Antony, before divorcing in 2001.

She went on to tie the knot again with country superstar Keith Urban in 2006.

The pair remains united and resides in Nashville alongside their two teenage kids, Sunday Rose (aged 16) and Faith Margaret (14).

As per IMDb, it was for the role of BMX Bandits that Nicole mastered bike-riding skills, and she was handpicked from a pool of 200 promising young actresses.

Angelo D’Angelo

In his initial appearance on the silver screen, Angelo acted alongside Nicole Kidman as Judy, portraying the lively character of BMX Bandit P.J.

Since my rise to fame on BMX Bandits, I’ve had the privilege of gracing numerous Australian TV and film productions. It’s been an exciting journey!

In the ’80s Australian comedies like Emoh Ruo and The Coca-Cola Kid, Angelo has made notable appearances on the large screen.

In addition, Angelo was involved in the 1990 comedy “The Big Steal,” directed by Nadia Tass. He acted alongside Claudia Karvan and Ben Mendelsohn in this production.

Apart from appearing on the big screen, Angelo is also well-known for his appearances on television shows such as A Country Practice, Water Rats, Heartbreak High, and Rake.

He was most recently seen Channel Seven drama series A Place To Call Home.

James Lugton

In the role of Goose, James made a fitting addition to the BMX Bandits gang, just as Angelo did. Similarly, both James and the movie were debuting on the big screen for the very first time.

Ever since his impressive initial appearance, James has built a lengthy acting career, primarily as a character actor, on both small and large Australian screens.

He’s made an appearance in well-known soap operas such as A Country Practice and All Saints, portraying no less than three distinct characters: Simon Henderson, Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimmons, and Greg Moro, on the legendary show Home and Away.

2012 marked a Women’s Day conversation where I shared that I didn’t harbor any envious feelings towards my past colleague, the illustrious Nicole Kidman, despite her prominent A-list position. Instead, I admired her success and saw it as an inspiration for my own journey.

‘I’d love the fortune!, but not that degree of high-intensity fame,’ he said.

‘She’s in the spotlight 24/7. That kind of unrelenting attention is not for me.’

James couldn’t stop showering praise upon his fellow actor, acknowledging that their time collaborating on the film set was enjoyable.

‘Nicole was great to work with,’ James said. ‘She was 15 and I was 16 when we made Bandits.

‘We mucked around a lot between takes – she was very sweet with a great sense of fun.’

David Argue

Among Australia’s well-known character actors, David once portrayed the bumbling crook Whitey in the movie BMX Bandits.

Together with Moustache and The Boss, Whitey embarks on a plan to steal $1.5 million during a payroll robbery, setting the stage for the thrilling events in this Australian movie hit.

David came to the production with a string of film and TV credits already under his belt.

He made his on-screen debut in 1977 as Sunny Martin in Australian soap opera, The Restless Years.

Additionally, he starred in the iconic Australian World War I movie Gallipoli, portraying the taciturn character Snowy alongside famous actors Mel Gibson and Mark Lee in a role that significantly impacted his career.

After portraying Nicole’s adversary, David has since landed numerous leading roles on the silver screen, such as those in 1985’s film “The Coca-Cola Kid” and the 1993 parody titled “Hercules Returns.

Angela Bishop

Although she is widely recognized for her work as an entertainment reporter on Channel Ten’s Studio 10 and hosting duties, Angela Bishop has also made a fleeting appearance in the film BMX Bandits.

During their conversation in 2021, Angela brought up to Nicole how pivotal her role was in the movie they both starred in together.

Angela disclosed that she was positioned as the third extra on the left during the scene filmed at the Waterworks, as she displayed a clip from the movie.

The scene features a quite young Angela, daughter of ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop, subtly present in the backdrop.

‘Still very important,’ Nicole joked of her role. ‘Wouldn’t have worked without you.’

In addition to her role in Angela’s film, she also secured a role as an unnamed audience member in the 1984 mini-series “Bodyline,” produced by Kennedy-Miller.

In addition, she portrayed a Channel Ten news reporter in the 2011 comedy “A Few Best Men” and featured in four installments of the iconic American daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful.

Instead, it could be phrased as: Notably, she has built an immensely successful career in television presenting, with her most recognized role being Network 10’s entertainment editor.

2025-01-04 01:34