David Helfgott David Helfgott David Helfgott (born 19 May 1947) is an Australian concert pianist. Helfgott's life inspired the Academy Award-winning film "Shine", in which he was portrayed by actors Geoffrey Rush and Noah Taylor. Helfgott was born in Melbourne to Polish Jewish parents Rachel (née Granek) and Elias Peter Helfgott. He won the state final of the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition six times. The awards he won at the Royal College of Music included the Dannreuther Prize for Best Concerto Performance, for his performance of Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 3", and the Marmaduke Barton Prize. During his time in London,
Geoffrey Rush Godot". Rush made his theatre debut in the QTC's production of "Wrong Side of the Moon". He worked with the QTC for four years, appearing in roles ranging across classical plays and pantomime, from "Juno and the Paycock" to "Hamlet on Ice". Following these, Rush left for Paris where he studied further. Rush's acting credits include William Shakespeare's plays "The Winter's Tale" (with the State Theatre Company of South Australia in 1987 at The Playhouse in Adelaide) and "Troilus and Cressida" (at the Old Museum Building in 1989). He also appeared in an ongoing production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance