Stage-trained Australian actor HUGH JACKMAN is currently
enjoying his Hollywood successes after his memorable role as
Wolverine in the 2000 hit "X-Men."
Born of English parentage in Sydney on October 12, 1968, Jackman
was raised as the youngest of five children. After earning a
communications degree as a journalism major from Sydney's
University of Technology, he attended the Western Australia
Academy of Performing Arts, where he studied drama. The
fledgling actor got his first big break immediately after
graduation, when he was offered a starring role on the popular
TV series "Corelli." It was also through that series that he
met his future wife, actress Deborah Lee-Furness, with whom he
would have a son.
Jackman starred in a number of other TV series including
"Snowy River: The McGregor Saga," -- and also began to earn
recognition for his work on the stage in such productions as
"Beauty and the Beast," "Sunset Boulevard," and Trevor Nunn's
acclaimed Royal National Theatre production of "Oklahoma!,"
the latter of which featured the actor in an Olivier-nominated
performance as Curly McLain.
In 1999, a year after being nominated for the Olivier, Jackman
was again honored, this time with a Best Actor nomination from
the Australian Film Institute for his portrayal of a man
estranged from his brother in the urban drama "Erskineville
Kings." The actor's winning streak continued when he was hired
to replace Dougray Scott as Wolverine in Bryan Singer's
high-profile adaptation of "X-Men." The film, whose cast also
included Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, James
Marsden, and Halle Berry, opened to strong reviews and
box-office to become one of the biggest hits of the summer.
Following the success of "X-Men," Jackman landed starring roles
in three high profile films: as Ashley Judd's womanizing
colleague in "Someone Like You" also starring Marisa Tomei and
Ellen Barkin, as a computer hacker in "Operation Swordfish"
with John Travolta and "X-Men" costar Berry, and as half of
"Kate & Leopold" opposite Meg Ryan. He will be reunited
with his "X-Men" costars in the upcoming sequel, to be helmed
once again by Singer. His other future projects include "Van
Helsing" and "Standing Room Only," a short drama written by his
wife.
![[Hugh Jackman]](hugh.jpg)