Jackman, Hugh (1968-…), is an Australian actor, singer, and dancer. He is best known for his performances in action films and historical dramas. Jackman gained fame for his role as the character Wolverine in the hugely popular “X-Men” series of action films, begun in 2000. The series is based on “X-Men” comic books, which feature Wolverine and other superheroes. Jackman won a 2004 Tony Award as best leading actor for his performance as the Australian singer and songwriter Peter Allen in the musical The Boy from Oz. Tony Awards are presented annually for achievements the previous season in the Broadway theater in New York City.
Hugh Michael Jackman was born on Oct. 12, 1968, in Sydney to English parents. In 1991, he completed a communications degree at the University of Technology Sydney. After deciding to become an actor, Jackman attended the Actors Centre Australia in Sydney. He graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth in 1994.
In 1995, Jackman starred in the Australian television prison drama Correlli. That year, he also appeared on the stage as Gaston—the villain—in the Australian production of the musical Beauty and the Beast. In 1996, Jackman starred in the musical Sunset Boulevard. In 1998, he portrayed Curly McLain in a production of Oklahoma! at the Royal National Theatre in London. Curly, a young cowboy, is one of the three main characters in the musical. Jackman repeated the role in a version of Oklahoma! made for Australian television in 1999. Jackman made his motion-picture acting debut in the Australian romantic comedy Paperback Hero (1999).
Jackman’s other notable films include Erskineville Kings (1999); Swordfish and Kate & Leopold (both 2001); Van Helsing (2004); The Prestige (2006); Australia (2008); Real Steel (2011); Les Misérables (2012), based on the successful stage musical; Prisoners (2013); and Chappie (2015). He also provided the voice for the penguin Memphis in the animated feature Happy Feet (2006) and the voice for the rabbit E. Aster Bunnymund in the animated feature Rise of the Guardians (2012).
In 2019, Jackman was made a Companion of the Order of Australia . The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity.
