Film|Actors

20 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Hugh Jackman

Alexandra Plesa
Updated April 22, 2024 136.1K views 20 items

X-Men, Kate & Leopold, Van Helsing, Les Misérables: what do all these movies have in common? Hugh Jackman, of course. The charismatic Aussie won us over due to his acting chops, charm, and sublime voice. With an impressive filmography and several awards under his belt, the X-Men hunk became one of the most recognizable actors working today, while also adding a few producer stints to his resume.

Curious to learn more about Hugh Jackman’s biography? The Australian actor was born in 1968 and earned international recognition portraying Wolverine in the X-Men film series. He’s also a producer and musician. His role in Les Misérables got him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He also won a Tony for his work on Broadway and an Emmy for hosting the Tony Awards. Not too shabby. 

However, there is much more to Jackman than meets the eye. For instance, did you know he had anger issues as a child? Or that he almost portrayed James Bond in Casino Royale? We’ve gathered a few Hugh Jackman facts that give you a glimpse at what’s hiding behind Wolverine’s tough exterior. Read on. 

  • He Used to Work as a Professional Clown

    Damning proof I used to do clowning.

    A photo posted by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on


    Before he was famous, Jackman worked as a gas station attendant and a birthday party clown. “I was Coco the Clown and I had no magic tricks and I remember a six-year-old standing up at a party saying 'Mummy this clown is terrible, he doesn't know any tricks' - and he was right,” he reminisced.  

  • He Never Watched SNL Before Hosting


    Jackman wasn’t familiar with Saturday Night Live before being invited to host, back in 2001. The producers sent him tapes of the show so that he could have an idea about it before showing up to work. 

  • He Accidentally Broke an Extra’s Hand


    While filming Van Helsing, Jackman accidentally broke an extra’s hand. “I was getting lifted and propelled and couldn't stop. I put my hand out and felt this guy crumple in front of me. I found out later he'd been running away. He thought I was going to fire him - for getting in the star's way,” he said about the incident. 
  • He Participated in an Actual WWE Match

    He Participated in an Actual WWE Match

    Back in 2011, when he was promoting his action movie Real Steel, Jackman was at a WWE match where he punched wrestler Dolph Ziggler.

  • He Had a Stalker


    In 2013, a woman followed the actor into his West Village gym, barging past the front desk and flinging a razor at the star. She apparently wanted to marry the Les Misérables hunk, but was sentenced to five years probation instead.

  • He Had Anger Issues When He Was Young

    My hero. My Dad. Happy Father's Day to Chris Jackman and all the Dads of the world.

    A photo posted by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on


    In order to play Wolverine, Jackman draws from personal experience. "As a teenager, I was explosively angry; I think rugby saved me, because that’s just organized violence," he said in an interview. His anger issues can probably be traced to his childhood, when his parents separated. He was eight. His mother moved to England, while his father brought up five children by himself.