Rebecca Gibney became only the fourth woman in history to be inducted into the TV Week Hall of Fame during the 2024 Logie Awards at The Star in Sydney on Sunday.
During a montage of highlights from her incredible decades-long television career, the 59-year-old New Zealand actress revealed it was Hollywood heartthrob Hugh Jackman’s first on-screen kiss.
The Packed to the Rafters star, who burst onto Australian television in 1985 with her role in Zoo Family, kissed the heartthrob actor, 55, when they starred together in Halifax FP, a show that debuted in 1994.
“It was a little bit awkward and weird, him not kissing me properly and saying, ‘Well, it feels a little weird. ‘ Anyway, it worked out,” Rebecca said of the historic moment during an interview in her montage clip.
Despite the disappointing review over Hugh’s first on-screen kiss, the Wolverine star, 55, took it all in good humour and was later seen sharing a gushing tribute to his former co-star.
“Congratulations on being included. In my opinion, it was probably something that should have happened a long time ago,” he said in the video as Rebecca watched tearfully from the crowd.
When Rebecca was finally called on stage by her son Zachary to accept her award, The Dressmaker star could barely stop herself from bursting into tears as she read her emotional speech.
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m sorry. My son, my God, I was fine until you came out. Thank you so much,” she said, her voice shaking.
Rebecca Gibney, 59 (pictured), became the fourth woman in history to be inducted into the TV Week Hall of Fame during the 2024 Logie Awards at The Star in Sydney on Sunday.
“If someone had told me, when I was 16 and suffering from crippling anxiety and severe body dysmorphia, that one day I would be standing on this stage with this award, I wouldn’t have believed them,” she continued.
“Thank you to the Australian public. Many of them grew up with me and have supported me from the beginning and, like me, think that 1984 was just 20 years ago.”
Rebecca went on to thank all the actors she has worked with over the years, as well as cast members, agents and friends.
But the TV star began to break down as she thanked her husband Richard Bell and son Zachary, 20.
During a montage of highlights from her incredible decades-long television career, the New Zealand actress revealed that it was Hollywood heartthrob Hugh Jackman’s (pictured) first on-screen kiss.
The Packed to the Rafters star, who burst onto Australian television in 1985 with her role in Zoo Family, kissed the heartthrob actor, 55 (pictured) when they starred together in Halifax FP, a show that debuted in 1994.
“To my family: Oh, okay, I’m not going to get over this,” she began through tears.
‘The man I met on the set of Halifax was a production designer at the time: Richard Bell.
‘Thank you for always asking me when I’m presented with a job, “Will it make you happy? Will it bring you joy? Well, then you have to do it,” and for sacrificing your own work on so many occasions so that I could do it.
‘You have been my rock and my love for almost a quarter of a century and I am so grateful for that.
“To my son Zac, who continues to bring me the greatest joy. I am so proud of you. I am so proud of the kind, gentle, and incredibly talented person that you are. Thank you for teaching me how to be a good mother. I love you beyond words.”
Rebecca ended her emotional speech by saying: “I am very proud to be one of only four women inducted into the Hall of Fame, but I know there will be many more.”
When Rebecca was finally called on stage by her son Zachary to accept her award, The Dressmaker star could barely stop herself from bursting into tears as she read her emotional speech.
The emotional moment soon lit up X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Rebecca Gibney, well deserved Hall of Fame honor, you are a legend,” wrote one viewer.
“Rebecca Gibney is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs,” added another.
“Well deserved! We all love you, Rebecca!” commented another.
“Okay, Rebecca Gibney made me cry,” wrote a fourth.
“How can you not love Rebecca Gibney? Protect her at all costs,” wrote another.
Someone else said: “Oh my God. That touched me. Beautiful words.”
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m sorry. My son, my God, I was fine until you came out. Thank you so much,” she said, her voice shaking. She is pictured with her son, Zachary Bell.
Meanwhile, other viewers seemed captivated by Rebecca’s son Zachary, who was brought to tears as he handed the award to his mother and then watched proudly as she gave her emotional speech.
“What a beautiful speech from Rebecca’s son, he is so proud,” wrote one fan.
“Oh, Rebecca’s son is so adorable!” added another.
A third said: “Rebecca Gibney’s son is a cutie and speaks so well,” while another wrote: “Rebecca Gibney’s son is a delight.”
“Well Rebecca’s son was made for this,” another commented.
The emotional moment soon lit up X, formerly known as Twitter.
Elsewhere, other spectators seemed captivated by Rebecca’s son Zachary, who teared up as he presented the award to his mother and then watched proudly as she gave her emotional speech.
“What a beautiful speech from Rebecca’s son, he is so proud,” wrote one fan.
After accepting her award, Rebecca went on to talk about the hardships she endured as a child and how she has now managed to overcome them.
When asked how she was able to draw on her pain and sadness during emotional acting scenes, Rebecca said: ‘I used to think about something really sad because I had quite a traumatic upbringing.
‘I used to get inspired by things I dealt with as a kid and things I witnessed growing up.
‘Then, as I got older and learned how to be an actor, I started to think, ‘Well, maybe if I put myself in the scene and stop thinking about something that happened when I was 15, it might work better.’
Rebecca is only the fourth woman in history to be inducted into the TV Week Hall of Fame and is best known for her roles in Halifax FP, Packed to the Rafters, The Flying Doctors, Stingers and The Dressmaker.