How Margot Robbie went from Neighbours to Oscar nominee

She’s the Australian actress whose name is synonymous with Hollywood success.

Margot Robbie’s career trajectory has soared at breakneck speed over the past decade, hitting an all-time high on Tuesday when she received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance in I, Tonya. 

From convincing her family to pay to watch her childhood performances, to cold-calling her way into a Neighbours gig and then hustling her up the Hollywood ladder where so many before her have failed – here’s how Margot used her unwavering determination to go from little-known local actress to global glory. 

From forcing her family to watch her magic tricks to slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the face: How Margot Robbie's unwavering determination to be a star propelled her from local soap actress to global golden girl

From forcing her family to watch her magic tricks to slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the face: How Margot Robbie’s unwavering determination to be a star propelled her from local soap actress to global golden girl

As a child, Margot’s steely resolve became apparent early on, with the actress admitting to Stellar last month she used to ‘lure’ her family and friends to pay to watch her perform magic tricks she had made up herself. 

It was an innate sense of business and self-worth that served her well in her teen years, with Margot moving to Melbourne at 17 after deciding she wanted to be an actress.

She didn’t yet have an acting gig lined up, but was determined to nab a role on iconic Australian soap Neighbours and cold-called the producers until they allowed her to audition.

It worked – and she portrayed schoolgirl Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2011, with Margot also managing to land guest roles in local productions such as The Elephant Princess and City Homicide as well as a number of commercials.

Everybody needs good Neighbours! The Gold Coast-native moved to Melbourne and cold-called Neighbours producers until they let her audition, with the actress scoring the role of 17-year-old school girl Donna Freedman

Everybody needs good Neighbours! The Gold Coast-native moved to Melbourne and cold-called Neighbours producers until they let her audition, with the actress scoring the role of 17-year-old school girl Donna Freedman

Flying high: In 2011, Margot arrived in Tinseltown for pilot season and nabbed a role in period drama Pan Am, before it was swiftly axed after one season

Flying high: In 2011, Margot arrived in Tinseltown for pilot season and nabbed a role in period drama Pan Am, before it was swiftly axed after one season

However, Margot had her sights firmly set on the big league and executed a plan with her agent and acting coach to take on Hollywood.

The Gold Coast-native relocated to Tinseltown for pilot season in 2011 and began the treacherous audition process, eventually scoring a gig alongside Christina Ricci in period drama Pan Am.

While the series was swiftly axed after one season, it was a foot in the door for Margot, who also appeared in 2012 British film About Time.

But it was in the 2013 The Wolf of Wall Street where Margot’s never-hold-back attitude really helped her get her big break in Hollywood,.

Famously slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the face during the audition, Margot impressed the Oscar-winner as well as director Martin Scorsese, winning the coveted role of the Jordan Belfort’s wife, Naomi, in the process. 

Big break! Margot famously slapped Hollywood heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio in the face when she auditioned for The Wolf of Wall Street, before hitting the big time after playing his wife Naomi

Big break! Margot famously slapped Hollywood heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio in the face when she auditioned for The Wolf of Wall Street, before hitting the big time after playing his wife Naomi

Not typecast! Since then, Margot has taken on a variety of roles, including Goodbye, Christopher Robin (left) and Suicide Squad (right)

Not typecast! Since then, Margot has taken on a variety of roles, including Goodbye, Christopher Robin (left) and Suicide Squad (right)

Not typecast! Since then, Margot has taken on a variety of roles, including Goodbye, Christopher Robin (left) and Suicide Squad (right)

From there, Margot’s profile continued to skyrocket, starring in Focus (alongside Will Smith),  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (with Tina Fey), The Legend of Tarzan, Suicide Squad and Goodbye, Christopher Robin. 

Proving everything she touches turns to gold, Margot founded her own production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, alongside her husband Tom Ackerly.

Their first offering: biographical film  I, Tonya, which also stars Margot in the lead role, was met with critical acclaim, even garnering the former soap star a nod for Best Actress at the Oscars.

And, with impressive-looking roles in upcoming films such as Mary: Queen of Scots still on the horizon, it doesn’t look like Margot’s shooting star is in any danger of falling any time soon.

Soaring star! Margot founded her own production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, alongside her husband Tom Ackerly and was nominated for an Oscar for her acting performance in their first offering, I, Tonya

Soaring star! Margot founded her own production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, alongside her husband Tom Ackerly and was nominated for an Oscar for her acting performance in their first offering, I, Tonya

Not slowing down: Margot still has number of impressive-looking performances yet to be released including film Mary: Queen of Scots (pictured)

Not slowing down: Margot still has number of impressive-looking performances yet to be released including film Mary: Queen of Scots (pictured)

  



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