Sydney, Australia, the birthplace for many a fine actor, is also home to Hugh Jackman, who was born in New South Wales on October 12, 1968. The youngest of five children, Jackman pursued acting throughout childhood but majored in journalism at the University of Technology at Sydney.
FROM STAGE TO SCREEN
With a love for the stage that he could not ignore, Jackman turned toward the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts to hone his skills. His teachers recognized something great in him, and it seems they were right, as he received a lead role in the Australian television drama Corelli in 1995. Jackman met his future wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness, on the set of the show. They were married in February 1996, shortly after what Jackman claims was love at first sight.
The role in Corelli led to big things for Jackman: He followed it up with two films in 1999, Paperback Hero and Erskineville Kings. He took to the stage as Gaston in the Australian production of Beauty and the Beast, which is how Jackman discovered that he had potential singing talent; he perfected his skills by hiring a singing coach after he landed the role.
After starring in an Australian production of Sunset Boulevard, he was cast as Curly in the London production of Oklahoma!, which is what caught the attention of X-Men director Bryan Singer. Mission: Impossible 2′s Dougray Scott was originally cast as Logan/Wolverine, but had to be replaced due to scheduling conflicts. Singer found his Wolverine in Jackman.
“X” MARKS THE SPOT
Like most actors, it would take one big break for Jackman to make it across the ocean in Hollywood. The popularity of 2000′s X-Men translated into huge exposure for Jackman, who now had the privilege of choosing between several scripts that were incessantly arriving at his front door. He received a Breakthrough Performance nomination at the MTV Movie Awards in recognition of his feat.
The 2001 romantic-comedy Someone Like You came next and proved that he was capable of more than just a tough-guy role, turning on the charm for Ashley Judd as a womanizer. Swordfish, the high-impact action thriller that received lukewarm reviews, featured Hugh Jackman as a hacker alongside John Travolta and Halle Berry. Three movies into a Hollywood career, and Jackman was already deep in stardom.
A GREAT PRESENT, A BRIGHT FUTURE
The 2001 holiday season brought with it the romantic comedy Kate & Leopold, with Jackman playing a 19th century duke thrust into present-day New York City.
With roles in the short film Standing Room Only, directed by his wife and released in 2002, and the much-hyped X-Men 2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), as well as an Emmy win in 2005 for his hosting abilities at the 2004 Tony Awards, Jackman has not let up one bit. He starred in the Australian musical The Boy From Oz in 2003 and 2004 on Broadway and was a critical sensation.
Most recently, Jackman starred alongside Nicole Kidman in the sweeping epic Australia. Next on his plate is hosting the 81st Academy Awards, where hopefully he’ll use his easygoing Aussie charm to keep audiences interested.
Despite all the activity, his wife and adopted son Oscar Maximillian are always in his thoughts — they are the first thing he mentions whenever questioned about his priorities in life. Hugh Jackman could very well be the next Hollywood untarnished hero that we have been waiting for, as he certainly fits the mold.
Buying a cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?
