In 1971, while working as a producer for the television show "A Current Affair", Cornell recognized the talents of a Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger, Paul Hogan (who had been the subject of an interview by the station). Cornell became Hogan's manager and often appeared alongside him in his popular television show, "The Paul Hogan Show", as a character called "Strop" (a dim-witted dinkum Australian surf lifesaver). He produced and co-wrote the screenplay for Hogan's 1986 film "Crocodile Dundee" which became the highest grossing Australian film. He also produced and directed the successful 1988 sequel, "Crocodile Dundee II".