Geoffrey Rush has been the first many times.

For his 1996 performance in Shine he was the first living Australian actor to win an Oscar and the first to take out every international best actor gong for one role.

In 2009 Mr Rush became the first Australian to achieve the so-called 'triple crown of acting' for winning an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award during his career.

Key points: The articles were published in November 2017

The articles were published in November 2017 Rush and his co-star Eryn Jean Norvill will give evidence at the 13-day trial

Rush and his co-star Eryn Jean Norvill will give evidence at the 13-day trial Other witnesses will fly from across Australia and the world

Today there will be another first for the acclaimed performer — when he walks into the Federal Court of Australia as the first celebrity in the #MeToo era to take a media giant to trial for defamation.

Mr Rush, 67, is suing Newscorp's Nationwide News, the publisher of The Daily Telegraph newspaper, as well as one of its journalists, Jonathan Moran.

In November 2017 the newspaper published front pages and articles alleging Rush acted inappropriately towards young actress Eryn Jean Norvill during the Sydney Theatre Company's 2015-16 production of King Lear.

Rush said the publications portrayed him as a "pervert" and a "sexual predator". ( Supplied: Sydney Theatre Company )

The former Australian of the Year immediately denied the allegations then, a week later, filed defamation proceedings in the Federal Court saying the newspaper had portrayed him as a "pervert" and a "sexual predator".

"It is an action I am taking in order to redress the slurs, innuendo and hyperbole that they have created around my standing in the entertainment industry and in the greater community," Mr Rush said in December 2017.

"The Daily Telegraph has made false, pejorative and demeaning claims, splattering them with unrelenting bombast on its front pages.

"This has created irreparable damage to my reputation [and] it's been extremely hurtful."

The Daily Telegraph and Mr Moran have always stood by the reporting.

"The Daily Telegraph accurately reported the Sydney Theatre Company received a complaint alleging that Mr Geoffrey Rush had engaged in inappropriate behaviour," editor Christopher Dore said, the same day Mr Rush spoke publicly.

"We will defend our position in court."

Complainant unveiled

Court documents allege Rush made groping gestures near Norvill's torso and made comments about her body that contained sexual innuendo. ( Supplied: Sydney Theatre Company/Heidren Lohr )

The identity of the woman at the centre of the story, Ms Norvill, was not reported by the newspaper.

The Sydney Theatre Company (STC) said she never made a formal complaint and she requested the allegation be dealt with confidentially — without notifying Mr Rush.

Ms Norvill, who played King Lear's daughter Cordelia in the STC's production, did not speak to The Daily Telegraph for its stories and has not said anything publicly since.

Her name did not become public until defence documents were revealed during a pre-trial hearing in February 2018.

The actress refused for months to become involved in the court case but in August 2018 her name was added to the list of defence witnesses.

More detail about her allegations came out during a pre-trial hearing at the same time.

Court documents said she alleged Mr Rush "traced across" the side of her right breast during a preview performance in 2015, touched her lower back under her shirt, made groping gestures near her torso, and made comments about her body that contained sexual innuendo.

A crucial performance

Mr Rush will attend the 13-day trial and is expected to give evidence.

An affidavit filed with the Federal Court in April 2018 stated the award-winning actor was virtually housebound, barely ate, and was taking medication for anxiety.

Ms Norvill is also expected to give evidence at the trial.

Tom Blackburn SC and Bruce McClintock SC will go head to head in court. ( Supplied: Banco Chambers and Sixth Floor )

During a pre-trial hearing in September 2018 the court was told other witnesses would be flying in from all around Australia and the world.

Two of Australia's top silks will go head-to-head during the trial.

Mr Rush will be represented by Bruce McClintock SC, who has acted for Chinese billionaire Chau Chak Wing, cricketer Chris Gayle, former NSW minister Eddie Obeid and Gordon Wood, who was acquitted of the murder of his girlfriend Caroline Byrne.

The barrister for Nationwide News will be Tom Blackburn SC, who has represented Newscorp, Fairfax Media, mining magnate Gina Rinehart and the Wagner family, who recently sued broadcaster Alan Jones for defamation over his comments about the Grantham floods.

Mr McClintock will be joined at the bar table by barrister Sue Chrysanthou, who has acted for Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and human rights lawyer George Newhouse, as well as Mr Wood.

Counsel assisting Mr Blackburn will be barrister Lyndelle Barnett who has represented the ABC, Fairfax and Channel Seven.