Hugh Jackman, an Australian actor best known for his iconic role as Wolverine in the “X-Men” film series from 2000 to 2017, has achieved both commercial and critical success throughout his career. He has won a Grammy, an Emmy, and two Tony Awards. Before transitioning to Hollywood, he started in theater and television in Australia.
Jackman starred in several films, including “Kate & Leopold,” “Van Helsing,” “The Prestige,” and “Australia.” He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Jean Valjean in the musical film “Les Misérables” and also played a leading role in the successful musical “The Greatest Showman.”
Jackman credits his commitment to family to his father’s influence. After suffering from postpartum depression, his mother left him and his siblings when he was just eight years old. She went to England to seek help, leaving her children in the care of their father in Australia. Eventually, Jackman’s sisters moved in with their mother, leaving him and his two brothers to be raised by their dad.
In his personal life, Jackman has been married to Deborra-Lee Furness since 1996. They met while working on the Australian show “Correlli” and have two adopted children, Oscar, 22, and Ava, 17. After facing two unsuccessful pregnancies, Furness and Jackman overcame this challenge together, now living in New York with their beloved kids.
Their relationship has proven resilient, and the 13-year age difference has never hindered their happiness. Reflecting on his upbringing, Jackman has opened up about the difficult relationship he had with his mother, Grace, and the impact of her departure on his childhood. He recalls the pain of believing she would return home, saying, “I was under the impression that she would most likely return… And then it just kept going and going.”
Jackman remembers his mother’s last day at home vividly, noting how she wrapped a towel around her head before leaving. The next day, he received a telegraph from her in London, which deeply affected his father, who had prayed for her return. Growing up, Jackman harbored resentment toward his mother, feeling abandoned, especially as his sisters moved to England to be with her while he and his brothers remained in Australia with their dad.
However, as an adult, Jackman has gained a deeper understanding of the struggles his mother faced, including unrecognized postpartum depression. In recent years, they have rebuilt a positive relationship, and he has found peace with her actions. “As time went on, I was able to comprehend the reasons why my mother had to go… We have most certainly made our peace, which is really significant,” he shared.
Now, Jackman prioritizes his own family, with Furness, an Australian actress and producer, by his side. She moved to New York in the early 1980s to pursue her acting career after growing up in a suburb of Sydney and later found success in both theater and television.
Jackman and Furness’s marriage has been a shining example of a successful celebrity union, lasting over 26 years. Jackman often expresses his love for Furness on social media. They met in 1995 during “Correlli,” and despite the 13-year age gap, they married in 1996, believing they were meant to be together.
Jackman described their first meeting, recalling how he was nervous to work with Furness, who was already a well-known actress. He fondly remembers their initial interactions and how he immediately developed feelings for her, saying, “When I met Deb, my life took a turn for the better… She was so full of life and passion.”
Despite facing criticism, including unfounded rumors that their relationship is a “sham,” Jackman has consistently celebrated Furness. Furness has spoken out against these hurtful remarks, stating, “Not only is it unethical, but it may as well be a lie. It’s absolutely insulting to people.”
In a heartfelt tribute in 2021, Jackman shared how effortless it feels to be married to her, emphasizing their deepening love over the years. On February 14, 2023, he marked their 28th Valentine’s Day together with a message celebrating her qualities and the joy she brings to his life. Their enduring relationship and mutual support suggest a bright future filled with continued happiness.