Biographic - Sunday June 7, 2015 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

Hugh Michael Jackman was born in Sydney, Australia, on October 12, 1968, the youngest of five children. After graduating from Sydney's University of Technology with a degree in communications, he decided to pursue his passion for acting. He turned down a yearlong contract of the Aussie soap "Neighbours" to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Graduating in 1994, he was soon cast as Gaston in a stage production of "Beauty And The Beast" before going on to notch up a string of television credits. While appearing on the TV drama "Correlli," he became romantically involved with the show's leading lady Deborra-Lee Furness. The two married in 1996, and have two adopted children. They also became partners in a production company. He earned acclaim for his work in the Australian movies "Paperback Hero" and "Erskineville Kings" and starred as Curly in a London production of "Oklahoma!" his big break came when he was cast as Wolverine in the 2000 blockbuster "X-Men." He has reprised the role in six more movies, including the 2013 smash hit "The Wolverine." Subsequent credits included "Swordfish" opposite John Travolta and Halle Berry, "Kate & Leopold" with Meg Ryan, "Van Helsing" "The Fountain" and two movies with Scarlett Johansson, "The Prestige," and Woody Allen's Scoop" He voiced roles in the animated feature hits "Happy Feet" and "Flushed Away" A short-lived TV musical drama series "Viva Laughlin" was followed by his starring role opposite Nicole Kidman in Baz Luhrman's "Australia." His singing and dancing talents won him Tony and drama desk awards for "The Boy From Oz" and stood him in good stead for his acclaimed performances hosting the Tony Awards four times and the 81st Academy Awards. His performance as Jean ValJean in 2012's "Les Miserables" earned him an Academy Award nomination. Later this year a shaven-headed Jackman will be seen on-screen portraying the villainous Blackbeard in the big-budget fantasy "Pan."

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