'''Hugh Michael Jackman''' (born 12 October, 1968) is an Australian film and stage actor, most famous for playing Wolverine in ''X-Men'' and its sequels, and his Tony Award-winning performance in ''The Boy from Oz''. His other works within the United States include ''Swordfish'', ''Van Helsing'' and ''Kate & Leopold'' (for which Hugh Jackman was nominated in 2001 for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy). In 2005 he won an Emmy for hosting the Tony awards.

Biography

Early life

Jackman was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the youngest of five children of English-born Anglican parents. His mother left the family and went back to England when he was eight years old, and he remained behind with his father (an accountant with a degree from Cambridge), and his siblings. Jackman attended Knox Grammar School, an all-boys school in Wahroonga, New South Wales and graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a BA in Communications, having majored in journalism. Jackman's introduction to acting was by accident, as he had to take an acting class as part of the requirements for a college diploma. He became interested in the craft and used some money inherited from a relative to attend the WAAPA of Edith Cowan University in Perth, from which he graduated in 1994.

Career

thumb|right|220px|Hugh Jackman as "Duncan Jones" in ''The Man From Snowy River (TV series)|Snowy River: The McGregor Saga''

In Australia

His film work includes ''Erskineville Kings'' and ''Paperback Hero'' (1999), while his television work includes ''Law of the Land'', ''Halifax f.p.'', ''Blue Heelers'', and ''Snowy River: The McGregor Saga'' (in which he appeared in the recurring guest starring role of Duncan Jones during the seasons' in 1996).

On stage, Jackman played Gaston in the Melbourne production of ''Beauty and the Beast'', and Joe Gillis in the same city's production of ''Sunset Boulevard''. During his stage musical career in Melbourne, he also hosted both Melbourne's Carols by Candlelight and Sydney's Carols in the Domain.

Outside of Australia

He first became known outside of Australia when he played the leading role of Curly in the Royal National Theatre's acclaimed stage production of ''Oklahoma!'' in the West End of London in England. His performance was filmed for television broadcast and DVD release. On 6 June, 2002, Jackman sang the role of Billy Bigelow in ''Carousel'' in a special concert performance at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, New York City.