Paul Hogan: Crocodile Dundee actor reveals wish to die on Australian soil

Aussie icon Paul Hogan has lived what can only be described as an extraordinary life.

The former Sydney Harbour Bridge worker who found global fame in his 40s as Crocodile Dundee has gone to the movies with Prince Charles, dined with Liz Taylor and had Clint Eastwood hold a butter knife up to him quoting his classic line “that’s not a knife”. Eastwood, like Hoges, is part of a small club of actors who delivered cinematic lines so iconic, they made it into the lexicon.

But on a Sydney winters day, the man 85-year-old who conquered Hollywood four decades ago has now opened up on why he now wants to return to Australian soil.

“I want to come back because I want to die here,” he told 7NEWS.

He also had a special request.

“I want my ashes scattered off the Harbour Bridge,” he said.

“Put that in the will.”

Not that Hoges has any plans to leave this earth just yet.

While he is desperate to call Australia home, business commitments and his son Chance, are keeping him Stateside.

“He’s still trying to build his career up,” Hogan says of his 27-year-old son.

“As soon as he does, I’ll be back here. Unless he comes with me, I’ll be back sooner.”

A self-professed “late starter”, Hogan found global fame as Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee in the titular 1986 film. He then went on to take up skiing — in his 60s.

Showing the passage of time has done little to diminish his trademark dry wit, Hoges quips that he was ticked off when a torn calf muscle forced him to give up the slopes at 69, because “when you’re 70, you don’t pay on the ski lift.”

Despite his global star status, his tastes have stayed simple. Hoges waves away the offer of a fancy latte, instead sipping on what he calls “trash” coffee – instant with powered milk — throughout the interview.

He still has the same laconic manner that made the world fall in love with him as Mick Dundee but refers to himself now as a bit of “an antique”.

He admits he now struggles with the cold, taking breaks to warm up by the heater during our interview. Medical treatment for retroperitoneal fibrosis has stripped his body of fat, which he says also means he can no longer hold a drink.

It’s been four decades since Crocodile Dundee was created – but interest in Hogan hasn’t diminished.

On this trip, he was papped at Sydney Airport in a wheelchair, sparking concern.

So, is he all right?

Hogan admits that the paps “got me,” saying that he’s not proud of using a wheelchair. He chalks it up to the long-haul flight, which aggravated his arthritis.

Then with that twinkle in his eye and a slight smirk, he says it’s also because he injured his leg at 80 ... skateboarding.

He might be a late bloomer but something tells me the man who created Mick Dundee is pulling my leg.