Claudia Karvan

'Claudia Karvan' (qv) is one of Australia's most recognized actresses, having achieved popular success and critical acclaim through her work in film and television.Having begun work at 14, Karvan has an extensive filmography. She first appeared in 'Gillian Armstrong' (qv)'s _High Tide (1987)_ (qv) with 'Judy Davis' (qv), then in 'Phillip Noyce' (qv)'s _Schatten eines Pfaus (1987)_ (qv). Since this time Karvan has captivated audiences with her remarkable talent and beauty.Although celebrated for her dramatic prowess, Karvan first exhibited her gift for comedy in _The Big Steal (1990)_ (qv). Then - amongst other projects - she appeared in the romantic-drama _The Heartbreak Kid (1993)_ (qv), for which she won an Australian Film Critics Circle award for Best Actress. In 1996 Karvan starred in the film that she is probably best known for, _Dating the Enemy (1996)_ (qv), opposite 'Guy Pearce' (qv). Karvan delighted audiences in this romantic-comedy with her charming portrayal of a man trapped in a woman's body. She later went on to star in another romantic comedy, with another Australian favorite 'Hugh Jackman' (qv) - in _Paperback Hero (1999)_ (qv).Karvan's other features include _Broken Highway (1993)_ (qv) (official selection for the 1994 Cannes International Film Festival), _Exile (1994)_ (qv), _Lust and Revenge (1996)_ (qv), _Strange Planet (1999)_ (qv) with 'Naomi Watts' (qv) and 'Hugo Weaving' (qv), and _Risk_ with 'Bryan Brown' (qv). But it was her part as Dr Alex Christensen on the popular Australian television series _The Secret Life of Us (2001)_ (qv) that was the most significant turning point in her career. Karvan has credited this role, as well as her occasional turn in the director's chair, with allowing her to gain more control of her work - something for which she has always strived.In 2004, Claudia began work on the highly popular Foxtel/Southern Star series, _Love My Way (2004)_ (qv), as creator, producer and star and in 2007, she has just completed filming the show's third series. _Love My Way (2004)_ (qv) has won the Silver Logie Award for Most Outstanding Drama Series and the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Television Drama Series for the past two years. Claudia has won the 2005 AFI Award for Best Lead Actress in Television and the Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series two years running for her role in the show.Between 1987 and 2004 Karvan was nominated for twelve more Australian Film Institute (AFI) 'Awards' (qv), winning her category - Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama - in 1996 for her role in _G.P. (1989)_ (qv). In 1998 she received The Palm Springs Short Film Festival Audience Favourite Award for _Two Girls and a Baby (1998)_ (qv).::EA