Hugh Jackman

Birthday: 12 October 1968, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Birth Name: Hugh Michael Jackman

Height: 189 cm

Hugh Michael Jackman is an Australian actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, dancer and producer. Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as superhero, period, and romance characters. He is best known for his long-running role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series, as well as for his lead roles in the romantic-comedy fantasy Kate & Leopold (2001), the action-horror film Van Helsing (2004), the drama The Prestige and The Fountain (2006), the epic historical romantic drama Australia (2008), the film version of Les Misérables (2012), and the thriller Prisoners (2013). His work in Les Misérables earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 2013. In Broadway theatre, Jackman won a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz. A four-time host of the Tony Awards themselves, he won an Emmy Award for one of these appearances. Jackman also hosted the 81st Academy Awards on 22 February 2009.Jackman was born in Sydney, New South Wales, to Grace McNeil (Greenwood) and Christopher John Jackman, an accountant. He is the youngest of five children. His parents, both English, moved to Australia shortly before his birth. He also has Greek (from a great-grandfather) and Scottish (from a grandmother) ancestry.Jackman has a communications degree with a journalism major from the University of Technology Sydney. After graduating, he pursued drama at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, immediately after which he was offered a starring role in the ABC-TV prison drama Correlli (1995), opposite his future wife Deborra-Lee Furness. Several TV guest roles followed, as an actor and variety compere. An accomplished singer, Jackman has starred as Gaston in the Australian production of "Beauty and the Beast." He appeared as Joe Gillis in the Australian production of "Sunset Boulevard." In 1998, he was cast as Curly in the Royal National Theatre's production of Trevor Nunn's Oklahoma. Jackman has made two feature films, the second of which, Erskineville Kings (1999), garnered him an Australian Film Institute nomination for Best Actor in 1999. Recently, he won the part of Logan/Wolverine in the Bryan Singer- directed comic-book movie X-Men (2000). In his spare time, Jackman plays piano, golf, and guitar, and likes to windsurf. Hide

I've always felt that if you back down from a fear, the ghost of that fear never goes away. It dimin Show more I've always felt that if you back down from a fear, the ghost of that fear never goes away. It diminishes people. So I've always said yes to the thing I'm most scared about. The fear of letting myself down -- of saying no to something that I was afraid of and then sitting in my room later going, 'I wish I'd had the guts to say this or that' -- that galvanizes me more than anything. Hide

I have shocking teeth. . . . I'm being a little facetious - I just went to the dentist the other day Show more I have shocking teeth. . . . I'm being a little facetious - I just went to the dentist the other day, and he looked at my teeth and went, "Oh, my God, you've got gray teeth." Hide

[on maintaining privacy in his life] With paparazzi, I'm constantly trying to see my kids' view of t Show more [on maintaining privacy in his life] With paparazzi, I'm constantly trying to see my kids' view of the situation - that if I start flipping the bird or throwing punches how frightening it would be for them. So I'm constantly sitting on it? Yeah. Would I like to handle it differently? Yes. Hide

Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life. I don't get nearly enough Show more Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life. I don't get nearly enough sleep. And the simplest things in life are completely satisfying. I find you don't have to do as much, like you don't go on as many outings. Hide

[on his action figure] People can stick pins in it, put in the freezer. It's far more dangerous than Show more [on his action figure] People can stick pins in it, put in the freezer. It's far more dangerous than a video game. Hide

[on his 8-year-old adopted son Oscar] He said to me the other day, 'Dad, two o'clock, hot chick.' He Show more [on his 8-year-old adopted son Oscar] He said to me the other day, 'Dad, two o'clock, hot chick.' He walks over, and I heard him say, 'Hey, my dad's Wolverine.' That's his opening line! He brings them over and asks, 'Dad, can we have a few autographs for the girls?' I'm like, 'Am I pimping for my kids?' Hide

Nine out of 10 characteristics of Wolverine I don't share, but aggression is a primal thing and need Show more Nine out of 10 characteristics of Wolverine I don't share, but aggression is a primal thing and needs to be exercised in some way. When I was younger I was very explosive. I used to let most of it out playing rugby. I'm not as explosive now but in a sense it's still there. It's in our DNA ... far better to have it in a controlled violent environment. So in a way playing Wolverine is good therapy. Hide

[re working in Prisoners (2013) with director Denis Villeneuve] The common thing in cases like these Show more [re working in Prisoners (2013) with director Denis Villeneuve] The common thing in cases like these is the ticking clock. Your hands start to shake, you forget things, you become unreasonable. [Villeneuve pushed us to] a place that is instinctive and primal. What he encouraged was a sense of abandon. It was ultimately very freeing. Hide

Acting is something I love. It's a great craft that I have a lot of respect for. But I don't think i Show more Acting is something I love. It's a great craft that I have a lot of respect for. But I don't think it's any greater challenge than teaching 8-year-olds or any other career. In my life, I try not to make it more important than it is and I just hope that rubs off on the people around me. Hide

[on preparing to play "Keller Dover" in Prisoners (2013)] All the research I did was about sleep dep Show more [on preparing to play "Keller Dover" in Prisoners (2013)] All the research I did was about sleep deprivation, because the movie takes place over eight or nine days. And when I read something from a father whose kid was gone, he said that the most maddening part of the whole thing is the powerlessness of the parent, knowing that the child is waiting for you and can't understand why you're not there, every second of every day. The idea of sleep or rest is impossible. Hide

(on Father's Day gifts) The best is a hand written card. I don't know where some of my awards are, b Show more (on Father's Day gifts) The best is a hand written card. I don't know where some of my awards are, but I can tell you exactly where those cards are. I treasure them most. Hide

There is something very secretive about the way they cast that role. I've never had an official call Show more There is something very secretive about the way they cast that role. I've never had an official call asking: 'Are you interested or not?' but there's no guy I know who wouldn't want that role -- and that includes me. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. [on the now (Nov. 2004) opened spot for the next James Bond] Hide

My idol was Olivia Newton-John...I had her poster and I would kiss it every day. I met her and told Show more My idol was Olivia Newton-John...I had her poster and I would kiss it every day. I met her and told her that...and she was like, "Great". Hide

[on playing Wolverine] The character I play is actually only 1.6 meters [5' 3"]. Before I had any ki Show more [on playing Wolverine] The character I play is actually only 1.6 meters [5' 3"]. Before I had any kind of acting profile I was encouraged to lie about my height. I was told to say I was about six foot [1.83 meters] tall. I was worried about it when I first had my audition because pleasing fans of the franchise is important. My height was brought up on the Internet. They didn't think it was right. A lot of people who never met me think I'm very short. James Marsden (Cyclops), who's only 10 centimeters [4 inches] shorter than me, was put on boxes and platforms in our scenes together. You'll notice that every character in X-Men (2000) looks taller than me. Hide

[on his father] He never took ones day off in his life. He had five kids he was bringing up on his o Show more [on his father] He never took ones day off in his life. He had five kids he was bringing up on his own. If any one deserved a day off it was my old man, but he never did. I learned that from him. Hide

[on the look he wanted for X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)] I had this image in my head of De Niro i Show more [on the look he wanted for X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)] I had this image in my head of De Niro in that remake of Cape Fear (1991). You were terrified of that character from the moment he took his shirt off and you saw all the tats; you know he was this coiled spring that would rip your head off, no matter how nonchalant he acted. That's who Wolverine is. Hide

I was at a Warner Bros. event and all the stars were lining up backstage. Sylvester Stallone was in Show more I was at a Warner Bros. event and all the stars were lining up backstage. Sylvester Stallone was in front of me and [Clint Eastwood] was behind me and we were all embarrassingly close. I turned around before the line went off and said: 'Good day Mr. Eastwood, Hugh Jackman.' Clint replied: 'Yeah I know.' I continued: 'By the way, I know we've gotta go but I've been told I occasionally look like you in films.' Clint replied: 'You're holding up the line kid.' I'll never forget it. I went on stage bright red and never looked at him again. Clint has never asked me to be in any of his movies or have an audition. Hide

[on casting challenges] The risk for me is constantly being considered Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. Wholesome. Show more [on casting challenges] The risk for me is constantly being considered Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. Wholesome. Labels are the enemy. I'm particularly drawn this character [Kelly Dover in _Prisoners_], maybe as a parent. I love looking at how people react under almost melodramatically extreme situations. As an actor, that's the ultimate stretch. Hide

[on prepping to shoot The Wolverine (2013) and Les Misérables (2012) back-to-back] The roles Show more [on prepping to shoot The Wolverine (2013) and Les Misérables (2012) back-to-back] The roles are so different that it's hard to compare -- except for the level of intensity. I worked on my abs for months [for Wolverine], but there was a similar intensity preparing to play Jean Valjean. Hide

If ever there was any doubt about whether or not people wanted their comic book heroes dark and vuln Show more If ever there was any doubt about whether or not people wanted their comic book heroes dark and vulnerable, I think X-Men (2000) started this idea, and The Dark Knight (2008) last year really confirmed it. Audiences want to see that, they want to see the superhero's frailties, their doubts, and their battles. Hide

[observation, 2012] I believe this is the 2,487th star on the Walk of Fame. However, apart from Lass Show more [observation, 2012] I believe this is the 2,487th star on the Walk of Fame. However, apart from Lassie, I'm the only one who's got it for playing the same character in fifteen movies. Hide

On turning down the chance to play Richard Gere's character in the Harvey Weinstein-produced film Ch Show more On turning down the chance to play Richard Gere's character in the Harvey Weinstein-produced film Chicago (2002): I thought I was too young for the role. You have some 34-year-old guy up against Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger and it becomes a different movie. At one point, Harvey was telling me they were thinking of Kevin Spacey, and Ivtold him, 'That's exactly right. You should hire him.' Then I was in New York when the movie opened and the queue was around the block. I sat down and thought that I had probably made the biggest mistake. But I still honestly think that it was the right thing to do. I still think I was too young for that part. Hide

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) blew my mind. I had no idea movies could be that great and awesome. I Show more Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) blew my mind. I had no idea movies could be that great and awesome. I was 12 years old, and that's when I remember thinking, 'Oh, I'd love to do that one day.' Hide

I understand at Marvel they've got The Avengers, they've got a lot of big things going on, but at so Show more I understand at Marvel they've got The Avengers, they've got a lot of big things going on, but at some point I just find it almost impossible that there's not a way to bring Iron Man, all the Avengers characters, Wolverine, the X-Men characters, Spider-Man, and somehow get them in together. Hide

[on comic books] I never read comics as a kid, and when I was slipped the comics under my trailer do Show more [on comic books] I never read comics as a kid, and when I was slipped the comics under my trailer door, Bryan Singer didn't want us to read them. He was very frightened that we would come out with these 2-D characters, and I was amazed at how helpful they were, the images more than the story. The images, and how they capture emotion or an action sequence in just, say, three images. I have to say I used them as inspiration for some of the fighting stances or techniques. The way Wolverine stands and how he looks. Hide

I can look back on my life, where there have been moments where things might have gone the other way Show more I can look back on my life, where there have been moments where things might have gone the other way. Everything is like stepping stones, and I've seen people I admire falter. We're all vulnerable. Hide

[on his recurring bouts of skin cancer] I'm realistic about the future and it's more than likely tha Show more [on his recurring bouts of skin cancer] I'm realistic about the future and it's more than likely that I'll have at least one more but probably many more, which is not uncommon for an Aussie particularly from English stock growing up in Australia where I don't remember ever being told to put sunscreen on. But the beauty of this is it's all preventable, it's just about getting proper check-ups. I can be typical man, a little lazy, I couldn't be bothered and now I'm not lazy at all. Hide

[on Wolverine video game] I didn't do the motion-capture work; I didn't do any of that. I don't know Show more [on Wolverine video game] I didn't do the motion-capture work; I didn't do any of that. I don't know if they've used my voice or not, they probably have.. I did a lot of recordings on the first movie for dolls and video games, so they probably just used the same stuff. Hide

[on possibly integrating Irish mythology into the Logan (2017)] So travel back to Ireland and proper Show more [on possibly integrating Irish mythology into the Logan (2017)] So travel back to Ireland and proper investigate Logan's past. Shake things up. I guarantee you, there's some Irish blood in there. And I loved the myths and legends. A friend of mine from Ireland gave me a book of them and Cu Chulainn and those stories, they're amazing. Action packed. I'm quite surprised nothing has been done with them before. I'd love to see them in the next Wolverine. That could work great. Hide

When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug, and everything that's happ Show more When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug, and everything that's happened that day just melts away. Hide

[on watching X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) with his kids] It is actually really cool to watch it Show more [on watching X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) with his kids] It is actually really cool to watch it with them until you get to the moment where you're naked on screen and you forgot to warn your almost nine-year-old daughter. And she says, 'Dad, why aren't you wearing underwear?' Hide

[on the Logan (2017)] If I did another one I'm 99.9% sure it would be the last, so that will inform Show more [on the Logan (2017)] If I did another one I'm 99.9% sure it would be the last, so that will inform what it is for me. Hide

I'm a typical actor. Someone picks me up in the morning, they give me something to wear, tell me wha Show more I'm a typical actor. Someone picks me up in the morning, they give me something to wear, tell me what to say, feed me and send me home. Hide

Now I meet people with full-color Wolverine tattoos on their backs. Thank God I did okay, because I Show more Now I meet people with full-color Wolverine tattoos on their backs. Thank God I did okay, because I think if I handn't, they'd spit on me in the street. - on his role of Wolverine. Hide

When I came out of drama school I was like, 'I'm going to do anything I can just to keep working'. I Show more When I came out of drama school I was like, 'I'm going to do anything I can just to keep working'. In drama school you do Shakespeare to movement to circus skills to singing all in one morning. I know a lot of people hated it but I reveled in it. I loved it. It's weird how it evolved. Hide

As a teenager I was explosively angry. I think rugby saved me because that's just organized violence Show more As a teenager I was explosively angry. I think rugby saved me because that's just organized violence. Hide

The things that I really cherish are the everyday moments, like sitting around cooking pancakes toge Show more The things that I really cherish are the everyday moments, like sitting around cooking pancakes together on Sunday morning, or getting home after a tough day and my kids come up and give me a hug and remind me what's really important. Hide

I just heard Oscar, my son who's thirteen, telling a friend, 'Enough about my dad, all right? The tr Show more I just heard Oscar, my son who's thirteen, telling a friend, 'Enough about my dad, all right? The truth is he's nothing like Wolverine. He's not cool, he's not tough, he's nothing like that'. Hide

[on coping with the ultra-Scottish tradition of his Sydney school] I wasn't a bag-pipe guy, but I wa Show more [on coping with the ultra-Scottish tradition of his Sydney school] I wasn't a bag-pipe guy, but I was a kilt guy - and had to endure endless ribbing on the train. Every Friday, if you were in the cadets, the school army - you had to wear the kilt. It wasn't traditional kilt-wearing: there was underwear involved. Just to clear that up for everybody. Hide

[on playing Wolverine] I love the character. I love the series. I would never take it for granted or Show more [on playing Wolverine] I love the character. I love the series. I would never take it for granted or do it for the hell of it. I have to feel like I really have something to offer and we're going to take Wolverine on a slightly different journey. Otherwise it'll be time to hand over the claws to someone else, and I'm sure there will be many lining up to do it. Hide

[on Australians working in Hollywood] We dominate! We're the majority now! It's always good to be an Show more [on Australians working in Hollywood] We dominate! We're the majority now! It's always good to be an Aussie wherever you are...it's because Hollywood accepts us. Aussies over there they just love them, they love the accent, they want to know everything about you, they really dig the Aussies. It's a good time to be an Aussie, I'm real proud of all the Aussies and real credit to how in Australia we train actors really well, and in general how Aussies will have a go and aren't afraid to pack up and have a crack. Hide

Joking about being selected 'most sexiest man' as People Magazine's annual choice, 2008: I think we Show more Joking about being selected 'most sexiest man' as People Magazine's annual choice, 2008: I think we ran a very strong campaign and I'm not proud of it -- I can admit it now. We're the first ones to run a negative campaign and we spent years bringing Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and McConaughey down to size. I was prepared to do absolutely anything. Hide

[on persistent rumors that he is gay despite being married to Deborra-Lee Furness for 17 years] If I Show more [on persistent rumors that he is gay despite being married to Deborra-Lee Furness for 17 years] If I was, I would be. I don't think - to me, it's not the most interesting thing about a person anyway, but I do get frustrated for Deb, because I see Deb go, 'Ah, this is crazy.' On some level it's a compliment, you know, because it only happens when you've got to a certain point in your career. Hide

[on Les Misérables (2012)] Victor Hugo's novel is the greatest handbook any actor ever had fo Show more [on Les Misérables (2012)] Victor Hugo's novel is the greatest handbook any actor ever had for a job. But Annie [Anne Hathaway] brought research to it that went even further than Hugo - about what it meant to be a woman in that time period, what it meant to be a prisoner. Hide

Finally something my family can be proud of. Finally something my family can be proud of.

Hugh Jackman's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (257)

Deadpool 2: The Super Duper Cut

Top Gear (UK) - Season 13

The Jonathan Ross Show - Season 21

Blue Heelers - Season 3

Deadpool 2

Tosh.0 - Season 7

Sesame Street - Season 51

Top Gear (UK) - Season 32

X-men (2000)