Paul Hogan is a former Australian Consul turned celebrity butler. He is most famous to television audiences for portraying “the Butler” on the TV series Joe Millionaire. He has since made guest appearances on other programs, and hosted the series Groomed.
Hogan was recruited through the International Guild of Butlers, to run the chateau in France where Joe Millionaire was filmed. His primary responsibility was originally focused on the domestic and household management of the chateau, with only minor "on screen" appearances. However, as Fox acknowledged, "Paul was the glue that held the show together."[1] The first season was widely distributed around the world, although second season did not perform as well.
In 2006 Hogan hosted Groomed, a series in which he took regular men and turned them into gentlemen for life-changing events such as a marriage proposals, weddings or reconnection with families. Hogan was both host and mentor to the subjects.[2]
Hogan was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and attended De La Salle College, Malvern. After school, and a two-year stint in the Australian Army, he entered the Australian Diplomatic Service, beginning a 26 year career. As a diplomat Hogan was posted to Canada, Yugoslavia, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Los Angeles and Argentina. His area of expertise was the administration and operation of Embassies, and as a Consul, caring for the affairs and welfare of fellow citizens who sought assistance from the Embassy.[1]
After leaving the diplomatic service, Hogan moved to the USA and opened a bed and breakfast which he ran for a number of years before selling it. As a prerequisite to reinventing himself as a butler, Hogan enrolled as a full time student at the New England Culinary Institute where he completed the first half of the two year Culinary Arts program. This was followed by a three month private study tour to the wine regions of France, Eastern Australia and California. As a butler/estate manager, Hogan worked in Aspen, Houston, New York, New Jersey, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Bahamas.
When not involved in television production, Paul Hogan continues to work as a relief/temporary butler, trainer and consultant.