Hugh Jackman

Australian Jackman's handsome face was familiar Down Under before he took on Hollywood as a pompadour-sporting, claw-baring mutant in the X-Men movies.   After studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Melbourne, he landed a role on the short-lived 1995 prison series Corelli opposite Deborra-Lee Furness, who soon became his wife. In between TV work, Jackman showed off his impressive singing and dancing skills in the musicals Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard. His critically acclaimed performance as Curly in a London revival of Oklahoma! upped his profile considerably.   His career went into overdrive when he was picked to replace Dougray Scott as Wolverine in 2000's X-Men. The role made excellent use of his easygoing wit and perfect body and showcased his effortless charisma. A slew of Hollywood movies followed, including romantic comedies (Kate & Leopold), thrillers (Swordfish) and, of course, more action flicks (Van Helsing).   In 2003 Jackman took time off from his busy filming schedule to make his Broadway debut in The Boy from Oz as the late showman Peter Allen. Not only did he earn a 2004 Tony for his performance, but he also hosted the awards telecast that year, a gig that netted him an Emmy in 2005. His subsequent successful turns at hosting the Tonys resulted in being selected as host of the 81st annual Academy Awards in 2009. Off the stage, Jackman devotes time and money to charity work, which has included a stint as a World Vision ambassador.