Indeed: Hugh Jackman has the Guinness World Records certificate that marks his 16-year
"Wolverine" career. He was the only character and actor to appear in all seven chapters
of the "X-Men" series.
The role of Wolverine was fateful for Jackman. We wonder
how the actor, rightfully titled as "the nicest guy in Hollywood," was so brilliantly natural
in portraying someone with berserker rages…
However, Hugh Jackman, just like his screen character, also has a long and convoluted
history of dealing with anger. Its roots date back to one dramatic event that occurred in
the actor's childhood.
What made the Oscar nominee feel furious for years? How did he go from a lost and frightened
boy to an A-list actor? Which influence does his childhood drama have on his own family?
Stay with us to discover the greatest showman's secrets and subscribe to Rumour Juice YouTube
channel to learn more about your favorite celebrities.
Hugh Jackman was born to English parents in Sydney, Australia. He was raised in a very
strict household. He was the youngest of five children. When Hugh was only eight years old,
his mother left the family and moved back to England. Five years later, Jackman's father
went to England as well, hoping to reunite with his wife.
“By this point, she was married to someone else, with a kid," Jackman told The Hollywood
Reporter. "It was really complicated. So when dad arrived back – not three weeks later,
as planned, but five days later – I just knew. I was old enough to go, ‘This is not
happening.’”
Unfortunately, it WAS happening. Young Hugh Jackman and his four siblings were abandoned
by their mother. She might have had her reasons for such a choice, but it was a blow for Hugh.
He once said that from the moment his mum left, he was just a fearful kid who felt furious
but powerless. From there on, Hugh was desperately seeking ways to release his anger. He used
to head-butt the lockers at school until there was a dent in them. He was playing rugby and
getting into wild fights during the game, perceiving it as something that would let
his rage come out.
"I was volatile. My anger didn't really surface until I was 12 or 13."
Also, the actor revealed to “Parade” back in 2015 that he was scared of the dark. Hugh
couldn’t even walk inside his house if he knew he would be alone there in the dark,
so he waited outside until someone else would come. Sadly, young Hugh was usually the first
person to return home, and such an unpleasant scenario was frequent.
"It limited me. I hated it, and that contributed to my anger. Isn't most anger fear-based,
ultimately? It emanates from some kind of powerlessness. I was really feeling that."
However, the situation got better as the future actor was growing up. In high school, Jackman
thrived, playing sports, starring in the play, and getting good grades. He was good at many
things, but there was one situation that impressed him and partially determined his further choice
of profession As his family was very religious, they would often go to revival meetings. During
one of them, Jackman was deeply impressed by the preacher’s speech.
However, he considered being on stage in general, and not necessarily as an actor. There’s
a lot of other speech-delivering professions, right?
After graduating high school, Jackman decided to take a gap year to travel and work. He
ended up living in England at the age of 18, teaching physical education and coaching sports
teams in a prestigious college. Part of his duties also included lecturing English and
drama for freshmen only a few years younger than himself. He was also working the night
shift at a gas station, and having some part-time clown jobs at children's parties. Once a six-year-old
called him a terrible clown because he didn't know any tricks. Jackman admitted the kid
was absolutely right, but he had no idea yet which profession would fit him.
Hugh came back to Australia and started studying communications at the University of Technology
in Sydney. Back then, his main goal was to become an international freelance journalist.
During his final year at the university, Hugh needed a few extra credits to graduate. He
wound up joining the drama class because he heard it was easy to pass. Little did he know
this class would put him on a path of pursuing acting professionally! A teacher gave him
the lead, but Jackman hesitated.
"I begged my teacher. I said, 'I'm in my finals; I can't do this play.' But I loved it. Have
you ever had that feeling where you've found your people, your tribe? In that week, I felt
more at home with those people than I did in the entire three years at university."
He had done some amateur theater on the side, but it was just a hobby. Jackman never thought
he could make a living out of acting, but he decided to give it a try. He graduated
university in 1991 and shortly after started studying the art of acting. In the meanwhile,
Hugh was working at a gym. He was not a trainer but a receptionist this time. There was another
situation that kind of prejudiced his fate.
One day, Annie Semler, the wife of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dean Semler,
approached Jackman at the reception desk. After staring for a few moments at the future
celebrity, she announced:
"You're going to be a big star. Don't worry. It's all going to happen so fast. Listen to
me, I'm a white witch."
Jackman was spooked, and he only wanted Annie to pay for the gym, but the actor got both
Semler's money and her white witch’s magic. Not long after, he was offered a role in the
famous Australian soap opera “Neighbours”. The show was a launching pad for many future
stars, including Kylie Minogue, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Margot Robbie, and Chris and Liam
Hemsworth. It seemed like Jackman's possible big break, but he turned it down in favor
of continuing his drama education.
"I wanted to continue my studies because I'd learned just enough to know how little I knew."
Unlike some starlets who agree on the very first tempting offer, Jackman decided to consolidate
his knowledge and get into the methodology. Well, apparently he didn’t miss anything
out! Hugh’s time at the acting school was tough, but he loved it. He was immersed in
all aspects of training from 9 AM to 6 PM every day. When the interviewer of "Parade"
asked the Oscar nominee what the best thing about his newfound passion in acting was,
he answered:
"Peace. There are things driving me that aren't all healthy. Needing approval and respect
to fill some hole who-knows-where in me. Am I worthy? All those fears. Through acting,
I'm able to find a level of bliss and peace and calm and joy. And it feels natural."
Jackman's talent, drive, and charisma made him one of the school's most promising graduates.
The same night he finished his last final school performance in 1995, Hugh got a call.
He was offered a role in an Australian TV crime drama called "Corelli." Though the series
was ultimately a failure, it was a life-changing experience for Jackman.
He was cast opposite established actress Deborra-Lee Furness. Jackman was terrified when he realized
he had a crush on the star of the show. He didn't want his feelings to influence his
very first acting job, and he was also scared that Furness would perceive him as a young
little puppy.
"I didn't talk to her for a week. Finally, she said, "Have I done something to annoy
you?" I said, "Look, I've got a crush on you. I'm sorry." And she said, "Oh, I've got a
crush on you too." And that was 20 years ago."
Jackman wanted to marry her immediately, despite being so young. He was in his early 20s when
they met, and Furness was 13 years older. The couple tied the knot a year later. They
have been married ever since. Unfortunately, Jackman and Furness were unable to have kids.
They tried in vitro fertilization, but it didn't help either, so the spouses decided
to adopt two children, Oscar and Ava.
Jackman and Furman's motivation behind adoption was based on the question, "Where is the need?".
They knew that the most significant need was amid mixed-race kids, and their initial idea
was to help the kids to fit in whatever community they end up being part of. Besides, Hugh was
very familiar with the feeling of abandonment, and he wanted to help children left by their
biological parents to overcome the hard feeling.
However, since Oscar and Ava have grown up in a life of privilege, Jackman admits that
he's strict with his children. He is teaching them the lessons of respect and gratitude.
"I say, 'Unfortunately, I'm going to be tougher on you than I would be if I wasn't famous
because people are actually going to be less tough on you in life.'"
So, the 51-year-old is playing "bad cop" when he needs to, but still thinks he's more flexible
than his dad was. Unlike his children, who can always find support in their thoughtful
mother, Hugh was only familiar with his father's strict way of upbringing. Even though the
actor reunited with his mother years later, and they seem to be in a good relationship
now, he still recalls his childhood trauma and suffers from its consequences. On the
other hand, the tragedy has its perks. Jackman confesses that his famous "Wolverine rage"
comes straight from all the anxious feelings he experienced because of the absence of a
mother figure in his life. He developed it and used it for his performance as the character.
Whether being driven by rage as "Wolverine," getting emotional in "Les Misérables," or
showing off his dance moves in "The Greatest Showman," Jackman nails it all so brilliantly.
He has gone a long way from a lost boy to a movie star. He has remained strong and faithful
to his principles. He has transformed his pain into the work material. He has saved
two beautiful kids from the destructive feeling of abandonment that he had experienced for
years. Don’t you think he’s even more than “Hollywood's nicest guy”?