Jack of all trades

This charming hunk from down under once made his living as a clown at children’s parties, and worked in restaurants and gas stations.

His daredevil grin has lit up silver screens the world over, but his lesser-known work in theatre and musicals has earned him international recognition as an actor, singer and all-round performer. 

He was chosen as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive of 2008 and hosted the Oscars the following year. 

Childhood

Hugh Michael Jackman was born on October 12, 1968 in Sydney to English parents. At the age of 8, his family parted ways as his mother and two sisters moved to England and he was left with his dad and two brothers in Sydney.

He spent most his time outdoors, going on camping trips and vacations all over Australia. He went to Pymble Public School and later attended the all-boys Knox Grammar School. Jackman has a communications degree from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Career

Jackman got his first taste of professional acting on the stage, appearing in several Melbourne musicals. He became known outside Australia in 1998, when he played the leading role in ‘Oklahoma!’ in London and ‘Carousel’ in New York City.

To mainstream audiences, Jackman is perhaps best known for the role of Wolverine in the American film ‘X-Men’ (2000). Jackman cemented his position as a movie star when he was hired to star in three silver screen films (Someone Like You, Swordfish and Kate & Leopold) during 2001.

Despite his growing big-screen career, Jackman remains true to his stage roots. In 2004, he won a Tony Award for his lead role in ‘The Boy from Oz’ (2003-04).

He came back to the big screen with the action film ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (2006) which was a box office hit. The same year, he leant his voice to two animated feature films: ‘Flushed Away’ and ‘Happy Feet’.

In 2012, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and also helped bring one of the most famous musicals of all time to the big screen: ‘Les Miserables’.

Philanthropy

Jackman is a longtime proponent of microcredit – the extension of very small loans to prospective entrepreneurs in impoverished countries. He is also a global advisor of the Global Poverty Project.

He has used his Twitter account for charity as well. In 2009, Jackman posted on his Twitter page that he would donate $100,000 to one individual’s favourite non-profit organisation and donated $50,000 to Charity:Water and $50,000 to Operation of Hope.

Awards

Golden Globe Award for ‘Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy’ for ‘Les Miserables’ in 2013

People’s Choice Award for ‘Favorite Action Star’ for ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ in 2010