Neighbours heartthrob Scott Michaelson swaps fame to become a successful businessman

Scott Michaelson is most famous for playing surfer Brad Willis on Neighbours between 1991 and 1993.

But despite being a popular ’90s heartthrob, the now 54-year-old actor chose to give up acting at the height of his success to become a businessman and entrepreneur.

The Logie-nominated star went from Neighbours to landing roles in films like Young Hercules, Flipper and Sabrina Down Under in the late ’90s before calling it quits.

Now 30 years after leaving the soap, Scott has said he never once regretted stepping away from the spotlight to reinvent himself.

‘I wasn’t happy with not being able to control my own destiny and wanted a sense of security around my future,’ he told Woman’s Day.

New career: But despite being a popular ’90s heartthrob, the now 54-year-old actor chose to give up acting at the height of his success to become a businessman and entrepreneur

Scott explained: ‘You’re always at the behest of someone else [in the entertainment industry]. 

‘I just felt that people who control their own destinies seemed a lot mot content with their lives.’ 

After being managed by top-level agents, Scott tried his hand at becoming a talent manager for emerging stars in the late ’90s.

Over the years he signed aspiring models and actresses who went on to become his real-life love interests, including Neighbours stars Kimberley Davies and Nicola Charles.

However, Scott’s biggest client success was Holly Valance.

He helped land her a role on Neighbours in 1999, before guiding her towards a recording career.

When the pair parted was professionally, there were locked in a bitter legal row.

In 2003, Holly was forced to hand over more than $350,000 to Scott after a NSW court ordered she pay her ex-manager for breach of contract.

Celebrity agent: After quitting acting, Scott became a talent manager for emerging stars in the late ’90s. He managed Neighbours actresses Kimberley Davies (left) and Nicola Charles (right)

Superstar: Scott’s biggest client success was Holly Valance (pictured). He helped land her a role on Neighbours in 1999, before guiding her towards a recording career 

The then 20-year-old chart-topper dumped Scott 15 months before the expiry of their three-year deal, claiming he was not qualified to handle her rising fame.

Scott no longer handles celebrity talent, and instead manages top real estate agents with his business Smile Elite.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he previously co-owned a pub in St Kilda, opened Melbourne’s first solarium tanning salon, and developed a skincare range that was awarded Skincare Brand of the Year in 2009.

The former Shortland Street star also told Woman’s Day he still likes surfing when he has the time, and has coached local soccer and footy teams.