Hugh Jackman was born on October 12, 1968 in Sydney, Australia. While studying, he starred in a school presentation of My Fair Lady. He eventually graduated as a journalism major from the University of Technology in Sydney, and later attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth. He started his career in Australia, appearing in films such as Erskineville Kings and Paperback Hero, and in television shows such as Law of the Land, Halifax f.p. and Blue Heelers. He also appeared in different stage productions, where he eventually gained international attention during the West End run of Oklahoma! in 1998.
Jackman became known to American audiences when he replaced Dougray Scott for the role of Wolverine in the 2000 film X-Men. He became an instant star upon the film’s release; he would later reprise his role in 2003’s X2: X-Men United and 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy, for the 2001 film Kate & Leopold, which also starred Meg Ryan. He also starred in the action film Swordfish, opposite John Travolta and Halle Berry. In 2004, he played the title role in Van Helsing.
Jackman also continued his stage acting career, eventually winning a Tony Award for his portrayal of Australian songwriter Peter Allen in the Broadway play The Boy from Oz. He continued appearing in films, playing roles in films such as The Fountain, The Prestige and Scoop, and voiced characters in the animated films Happy Feet and Flushed Away. In 2007, he starred in the television drama Viva Laughlin, which was unfortunately cancelled after only two episodes. He is set to appear in the Baz Luhrmann film Australia, starring alongside Nicole Kidman, and the spin-off film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which he will also produce.