The depth of Hugh Jackman, the Australian frontman whose multi-talented arsenal has graced the screen and the stages for the past three decades, is one of the most versatile actors in the entertainment industry. His films have a collective gross of over $5 billion worldwide, placing him among the top 25 earners of all time.
To celebrate Jackman’s birthday, Variety ranks his 12 best film performances of his career so far.
His big break came when he landed the superhero Wolverine in 20e Century Fox’s first “X-Men” (2000), which was followed by several sequels and spinoffs, including “Logan” (2017).
An actor, he rubbed shoulders with some of the best actors in the industry such as Nicole Kidman (“Australia”) and Meg Ryan (“Kate and Leopold”) and visionary directors like Christopher Nolan (“Le Prestige”) and Denis Villeneuve (“Prisoners”).
After hosting the 81st Oscars in 2009, his personal invitation to the Oscars when he took on the famous role of Frenchman and former prisoner Jean Valjean in Tom Hooper’s “Les Misérables” (2012), which earned him a nomination for best actor, in addition to a Golden Globe Award for Leading Actor (Comedy/Musical). The film has grossed over $440 million worldwide.
A deep career isn’t complete without an Oscar snub or two, and Jackman has some on his resume. Some were charmed by his 19th-century time traveler in James Mangold’s “Kate & Leopold” (2001), which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination for Lead Actor (Comedy/Musical).
There are large pockets of moviegoers who adore his work in Darren Aronofsky’s romantic fantasy epic “The Fountain” (2006) opposite Rachel Weisz, while mainstream audiences will always love his PT Barnum in the musical “The Greatest Showman” (2017).
His turn as a father, desperate to find his kidnapped daughter in “Les Prisonniers” (2013) by Denis Villeneuve, pushes the actor to go to places he has only very rarely explored.
In 2022, Jackman stars in Florian Zeller’s second Oscar-winning film, Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Son,” playing a remarried father trying to connect with his estranged teenage son. Her work has received positive reviews from critics and could earn her her second Oscar nomination this season. He’s also set to reprise his beloved Wolverine in the next episode of “Deadpool,” which will be released in 2024.
Lily Variety list of Jackman’s top 12 performances below, along with the best scene from each film.
Honorable Mentions: “The Fountain” (2006); “Real Steel” (2011); “X-Men: Days of Future Past (2013)