John Cornell

Cornell was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 2 March 1941.{{cite news|title='Classic Australian character': TV and film icon John 'Strop' Cornell dies aged 80|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/john-cornell-dead-australian-journalist-producer-film-maker-dies-aged-80/65165047-fda6-4aac-b691-7e65d8a15818|date=23 July 2021|access-date=23 July 2021|publisher=Nine News}} He was raised in Bunbury. He stated that he was considered a "ratbag"{{efn|name=Ratbag definition}} at school, but he topped the class in both English and Economics at Bunbury High. Although he contemplated a career in pharmacy, it was his interest in journalism that saw him gain a cadetship at the Daily News in Perth.

As a journalist, Cornell reported on local events in Perth for The Daily News (a publication of West Australian Newspapers), becoming editor of that paper at 26 years of age.{{cite web|title=Comedian John 'Strop' Cornell dies aged 80 after long battle with Parkinson's disease|first=Cecilia|last=Connell|website=ABC News|date=22 July 2021|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-23/comedian-john-cornell-dies-aged-80/100317142|access-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723023226/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-23/comedian-john-cornell-dies-aged-80/100317142|archive-date=23 July 2021}}

In 1971, while working as a producer for the television show A Current Affair, Cornell recognised the talents of a Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger, 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.{{sfn|Lillee|2003|p=128}} Cornell was actively involved in the recruitment of players for WSC, for example travelling to New Zealand to sign players (including Doug Walters).{{sfn|Lillee|2003|p=129}} 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".{{sfn|Lillee|2003|p=138}}

Cornell married Australian actress and television personality Delvene Delaney in 1977, and they had two children: Allira and Liana. He was married twice before, and had a daughter from one of those marriages (Melissa, born in 1970).

Cornell built the Byron Beach Hotel (Byron Bay) for $9 million in 1990.{{cite web|title=Byron Bay Beach Hotel: Australian pub record smashed with $100m sale|first=Kirsten|last=Craze|date=18 November 2019|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|via=Realestate.com.au|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.realestate.com.au/news/byron-bay-beach-hotel-australian-pub-record-smashed-with-100m-sale/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724024240/https://www.realestate.com.au/news/byron-bay-beach-hotel-australian-pub-record-smashed-with-100m-sale/|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay Beach Hotel sold for $70 million|first=Carolen|last=Housten|date=23 April 2007|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/byron-bays-beach-hotel-gets-65m-20070423-gdpz1g.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724093445/https://www.smh.com.au/national/byron-bays-beach-hotel-gets-65m-20070423-gdpz1g.html|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay Beach Hotel sold for $70 million|date=19 September 2017|newspaper=Hotel Conversation|url=https://www.thehotelconversation.com.au/news/2017/09/19/byron-bay-beach-hotel-sold-70-million/1505782355|access-date=24 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724033947/https://www.thehotelconversation.com.au/news/2017/09/19/byron-bay-beach-hotel-sold-70-million/1505782355|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Owner puts Byron Bay's Beach Hotel back on the market for $75 million|date=26 April 2017|newspaper=Hotel Management|url=https://www.hotelmanagement.net/transactions/max-twigg-puts-byron-bay-s-beach-hotel-back-market-for-75-million|access-date=24 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724043028/https://www.hotelmanagement.net/transactions/max-twigg-puts-byron-bay-s-beach-hotel-back-market-for-75-million|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay's Beach Hotel hits the market with $80m price tag|date=13 June 2016|first=Larry|last=Schlesinger|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|url=https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/byron-bays-beach-hotel-hits-the-market-with-80m-price-tag-20160613-gphqyd|access-date=24 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724074049/https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/byron-bays-beach-hotel-hits-the-market-with-80m-price-tag-20160613-gphqyd|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Liberman's Impact snaps up Byron Bay Beach Hotel for $70m|first=Larry|last=Schlesinger|date=18 September 2017|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/libermans-impact-snaps-up-byron-bay-beach-hotel-for-70m-20170918-gyjmqz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724051138/https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/libermans-impact-snaps-up-byron-bay-beach-hotel-for-70m-20170918-gyjmqz|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay 'Beachie' Hotel Hits the Market for $100m|first=Dinah Lewis|last=Boucher|date=19 September 2019|newspaper=Urban Developer|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/byron-bay-beachie-hotel-hits-market|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724062816if_/https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/byron-bay-beachie-hotel-hits-market|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay's Beach Hotel price cut to $75m|first=Lisa|last=Allen|date=24 April 2017|newspaper=Commercial News|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/byron-bays-beach-hotel-price-cut-to-75m|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724064239/https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/byron-bays-beach-hotel-price-cut-to-75m|archive-date=24 July 2021}} In 2007, it was sold by Cornell to a consortium of businessmen led by Max Twigg (a Melbourne businessman and racing car driver), with varying reports on the sale price, e.g. either $44 million{{cite web|title=Genius, visionary and very bloody funny: John 'Strop' Cornell, TV icon and Kerry Packer cricket rebel, dead at 80|first=Megan|last=Lehmann|newspaper=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/tv-icon-john-strop-cornell-dead-at-80/news-story/2f323c607c76a3724969ac4a649957f0|access-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay's Beach Hotel sells for $70 million|date=19 September 2017|first=Carolyn|last=Cummins|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/byron-bays-beach-hotel-sells-for-70-million-20170918-gyjpju.html|access-date=24 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724090813/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/byron-bays-beach-hotel-sells-for-70-million-20170918-gyjpju.html|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay pub sells for record-breaking $100 million|first=Amy|last=Berisa|date=18 November 2019|newspaper=Boutique Hotel News|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://boutiquehotelnews.com/news/hotel/byron-bay-pub-sells-for-record-breaking-100-million/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724061424/https://boutiquehotelnews.com/news/hotel/byron-bay-pub-sells-for-record-breaking-100-million/|archive-date=24 July 2021}}{{cite web|title=Byron Bay Beach Hotel Replaces Poker-Machines with Eco-Friendly Environment|date=21 December 2018|newspaper=Australian Leisure Management|url=https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/byron-bay-beach-hotel-replaces-poker-machines-with-eco-friendly-environment/|access-date=24 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724083645/https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/byron-bay-beach-hotel-replaces-poker-machines-with-eco-friendly-environment/|archive-date=24 July 2021}} or a record $65 million.{{cite web|title=The Mayne Report Rich List|first=Kirsten|last=Craze|date=9 February 2010|newspaper=The Mayne Report|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.maynereport.com/articles/2010/01/07-1457-6493.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724052545/https://www.maynereport.com/articles/2010/01/07-1457-6493.html|archive-date=24 July 2021}} In 2017, Max Twigg later resold the property to the Liberman family–backed Impact Investment Group (IIG), a Melbourne-based firm that is a joint venture between the Liberman and van Haandel families, in an off-market deal brokered by CBRE Hotels's Wayne Bunz and Daniel Dragicevich for $70 million (below the initial $75–$80 million sales price ancipated in July 2016). Dragicevich stated that “There are very few landmark beachside freehold hotels like this in Australia, both in terms of scale and location." In November 2019, the Byron Beach Hotel was sold for a record $100 million to Moelis Australia Hotel Management.{{cite web|title=The 'Beachie' of Byron Bay: the story behind Australia's $100 million pub|first=Carolyn|last=Cummins|date=29 November 2019|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=24 July 2021|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-beachie-of-byron-bay-the-story-behind-australia-s-first-100-million-pub-20191125-p53dx3.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724060111/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-beachie-of-byron-bay-the-story-behind-australia-s-first-100-million-pub-20191125-p53dx3.html|archive-date=24 July 2021}} It was described at the time by the buyer (Dan Brady, CEO of Moelis Australia Hotel Management) as an "Iconic Australian establishment located on irreplaceable real estate". The hotel is known as "Top Pub" to locals. Melbourne restaurateurs and hospitality figures John and Lisa van Haandel have operated the hotel since 2007, with John van Handel still holding the original 10-year lease (ending mid-2017), which had two additional 10-year options.

Cornell and Paul Hogan were investigated for alleged tax evasion as part of the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) Project Wickenby, which commenced in 2004. 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). They were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC). In 2012, Hogan and Cornell confirmed that they had settled the eight-year dispute with the ATO.

Cornell suffered from Parkinson's disease and had undergone deep brain stimulation to alleviate the symptoms. The disease had rendered Cornell largely immobile; however, treatment by Peter Silburn at St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane enabled him to "enjoy 2 km walks with his wife".

Cornell died on 23 July 2021 at his home at Byron Bay. He was 80, and he'd passed away due to complications related to Parkinson's disease.{{Cite web|title=Australian icon John Cornell has died|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/australian-icon-john-cornell-has-died-20210723-h1xcbd.html|access-date=22 July 2021|website=The Age|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=22 July 2021|title='A classic Australian character': John 'Strop' Cornell dies at 80|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/a-classic-australian-character-john-cornell-dies-at-80-20210723-p58c94.html|access-date=22 July 2021|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}

Cornell was involved in various roles in the following projects:

• Almost an Angel (1990) – producer, director{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/john_cornell|title=John Cornell|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=22 July 2021}}
• Crocodile Dundee II (1988) – producer, director
• Crocodile Dundee (1986) – producer, writer
• Hogan in London (1975) – producer, actor, writer{{cite news|title=Paul Hogan back with Nine|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122094110/|date=5 September 1974|access-date=22 July 2021|newspaper=The Age|location=Melbourne}}
• The Paul Hogan Show (1973 to 1984) – producer, actor, writer{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gjxCDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|title=Historical Dictionary of Australian and New Zealand Cinema|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|date=26 December 2017|last1=Aveyard|first1=Karina|last2=Moran|first2=Albert|last3=Vieth|first3=Errol|page=72|isbn=978-1-5381-1127-7}}

{{notes

| notes =

{{efn

| name = Ratbag definition

| "Ratbag" is an Australian slang term for a non-conformist, a mischievous troublemaker, a scoundrel, a rascal or a lovable scallywag. The term can be used in a non-offensive way (as is the case in this article), or it may be used more pejoratively, as someone thoroughly disapproved of: a villain, a crook, a disreputable person.

}}

}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite news |title=Byron Bay's Beach Hotel gets $65m |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/hogess-hotel-gets-65m/2007/04/22/1177180487716.html |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=Houston |first=Cameron |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=30 January 2010}}

{{cite news |title=Radical treatment for Parkinson's has transformed John 'Strop' Cornell |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/radical-treatment-for-parkinsons-has-transformed-john-strop-cornell/story-e6frf96x-1225854289750 |publisher=News Corporation |newspaper=Herald Sun |last=Sharp |first=Annette |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=15 April 2010}}

{{cite news |title=Paul Hogan and John Cornell face final tax bills |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/paul-hogan-and-john-cornell-face-final-tax-bills/story-e6frg8zx-1225821003576 |publisher=News Corporation |newspaper=The Australian |first=Susannah |last=Moran |date=19 January 2010 |access-date=14 September 2010}}

{{cite web |title=Project Wickenby – Overview |url=http://www.ato.gov.au/content/00220075.htm |publisher=Australian Taxation Office |date=11 May 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710041208/http://www.ato.gov.au/content/00220075.htm |archive-date=10 July 2012}}

{{cite news |title=Liana's Bard Girl |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/film/channing-tatums-strippper-past/2010/01/18/1263663043846.html |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=Waterhouse |first=Kate |date=18 January 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=When cricketers saw the light |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/when-cricketers-saw-the-light-20120817-24dzn.html |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=Hogan |first=Jesse |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=Paul Hogan's tax probe cost $20 million |url=http://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/hogan-tax-probe-cost-20-million/story-e6frfmd9-1226343631606 |publisher=News Corporation |newspaper=news.com.au |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=Ruling revives Tax Office pursuit of Hogan |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/ruling-revives-tax-office-pursuit-of-hogan-20110408-1d7pz.html |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=McClymont |first=Kate |date=9 April 2011 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite web |title=Australian Content Box Office – Top 100 All Time |url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/mrboxaust.asp |publisher=screenaustralia.gov.au |date=1 January 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904071130/http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/mrboxaust.asp |archive-date=4 September 2012}}

{{cite news |title=AUSTRALIAN DEALMAKER: John Cornell; The Man Who Sold Hollywood on 'Crocodile Dundee' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/21/business/australian-dealmaker-john-cornell-the-man-who-sold-hollywood-on-crocodile-dundee.html |newspaper=The New York Times |last=Guilliatt |first=Richard |date=21 August 1988 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=A Parkinson's 'miracle' for John Cornell, television's 'Strop' |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/tv/a-parkinsons-miracle-for-john-cornell-televisions-strop/story-e6frexlr-1225854278039 |publisher=News Corporation |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |last=Sharp |first=Annette |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=A very rich ratbag |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19860420&id=ybcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1652,4079707 |publisher=Fairfax Media |newspaper=The Sun-Herald |last=Woodhouse |first=Ursula |page=172 |date=20 April 1986 |access-date=23 August 2012}}

{{cite news |title=Twenty20 can affect ODIs, not Tests: Lillee |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1464896271.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328212039/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1464896271.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2015 |publisher=HT Media Ltd |newspaper=Hindustan Times |last=Gupta |first=Varun |date=18 April 2008 |access-date=24 August 2012 |via=HighBeam }}

}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |title=Lillee: An Autobiography |last=Lillee |first=Dennis |year=2003 |publisher=Headline |location=London |isbn=0-7553-1231-7 |edition=1st }}

{{refend}}

• {{IMDb name|0180257}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cornell, John}}

Category:1941 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:Australian film directors

Category:Australian film producers

Category:Australian male television actors

Category:Deaths from Parkinson's disease in Australia

Category:Neurological disease deaths in New South Wales

Category:People from Kalgoorlie

Category:People from Bunbury, Western Australia

Category:Writers from Western Australia

Category:Male actors from Western Australia