'I just wasn't that pretty!' Joel Edgerton reveals he was deemed too unattractive to star in Aussie soaps Home And Away and Neighbours

By Bianca Soldani and Aap

Published: 18:41 EST, 23 November 2015 | Updated: 19:13 EST, 23 November 2015

He has one of the most versatile looks in Hollywood, having slipped into roles as diverse as an ancient Egyptian prince, Great Gatsby era hedonist and an Old West gunslinger.

But it seems Joel Edgerton was deemed too ugly for one part in his early career.

The Hollywood actor has revealed that unlike many of Australia's most famous exports, he was unable to secure a role in soaps Home And Away and Neighbours, telling the UK's Telegraph, 'I just wasn't that pretty, to be honest!'

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Couldn't make the cut: Joel Edgerton has revealed he wasn't 'pretty' enough to secure a role on an Australian soap early in his career

Couldn't make the cut: Joel Edgerton has revealed he wasn't 'pretty' enough to secure a role on an Australian soap early in his career

'They didn't want me on a surfboard,' the 41-year-old added. 

'And back then I was a little bit judgemental about the soapy stuff. I was working happily in the theatre, but I was losing the occasional really cool job to actors who'd been in those shows, because they sold tickets and I didn't.'

Graduates from Home And Away include Chris Hemsworth, Simon Baker and the late Heath Ledger, while Neighbours boasts the likes of Kylie Minogue and Russelll Crowe as their former alums.

Didn't fit the bill: The 41-year-old said 'they didn't want me on a surfboard' after stars like Chris Hemsworth (pictured) made their start as beach-goers on local soaps

Didn't fit the bill: The 41-year-old said 'they didn't want me on a surfboard' after stars like Chris Hemsworth (pictured) made their start as beach-goers on local soaps

Hedonist: Joel has a very versatile look and recently starred in The Great Gatsby 

Hedonist: Joel has a very versatile look and recently starred in The Great Gatsby 

Completely transformed: He was almost unrecognisable in Exodus: Gods And Kings

Completely transformed: He was almost unrecognisable in Exodus: Gods And Kings

Joel, who hails from Sydney, rose to fame in Australia playing Will McGill on The Secret Life of Us before landing a role in Ned Kelly alongside Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush and Naomi Watts.

His big break however, came when he played Owen Lars, Luke Skywalker's future uncle, in Star Wars episodes II and III.

Since then, Joel has transformed his look to star in a string of Hollywood films which most lately have included Exodus: Gods And Kings, Black Mass, The Gift and The Great Gatsby.

Hollywood debut: The star made his mark internationally when he appeared in Star Wars episodes II and III

Hollywood debut: The star made his mark internationally when he appeared in Star Wars episodes II and III

Another look: He sports a beard and red hair in his latest flick The Gift

Another look: He sports a beard and red hair in his latest flick The Gift

Something different: Joel is currently sporting a blond buzz cut 

Something different: Joel is currently sporting a blond buzz cut 

 

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