Rachel Ward, once a notable figure in Hollywood, has transitioned to a farmer’s life in Australia. The British-born actress rose to fame with modeling careers in cities like London and New York before moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s. However, she soon became disillusioned with the superficial nature of Hollywood.
Reflecting on her experiences, Ward described Hollywood as empty and unsatisfying. She pointed out that her career there felt more focused on fantasy and physical appearances than meaningful roles. Ward aspired to be like Oscar-winning actress Julie Christie, known for her romantic roles, rather than those emphasizing sexuality.
“You soon find it’s a very vacuous place… I was just make-up, I was fantasy.”
Ward’s career in Hollywood was marked by her role in the 1981 film Sharky’s Machine, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She gained widespread recognition through the miniseries The Thorn Birds, earning multiple award nominations.
During filming, she met Australian actor Bryan Brown and they married in 1983. The couple moved to a farm in New South Wales, Australia, where they raised their children. The lifestyle change deeply affected Ward, drawn to its newness and exoticness.
Initially, they planned to split time between America and Australia. However, with children, staying in Australia became obvious. Ward continued acting but focused more on Australian projects.
The devastating 2019-2020 Australian bushfires revealed the unsustainable nature of traditional farming methods to Ward. She turned to regenerative farming, seeing the fires as a catalyst for change.
Ward explained that learning regenerative practices gave her purpose and direction, moving away from the conventional farming she managed for decades.
“You have to change, you have to start doing things differently.”
In 2023, Ward produced a documentary Rachel’s Farm about sustainable agriculture. Her involvement has been hands-on, according to her husband, Bryan Brown.
Despite facing online criticism for her appearance, Ward continued advocating natural aging, saying it sparked conversation on societal views about women’s appearance.
Ward concluded by expressing contentment in her new life, emphasizing the value of her work over physical appearance.
“All I want to hear is, ‘Actually, Rachel’s cows are looking pretty good.’”