Hugh Jackman shared a behind-the-scenes look at his jump rope choreography on social media after performing the routine during the opening night of his concert series, “From New York With Love,” at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
“So here’s the thing … my trainer Beth Lewis and I worked for months and months to get me remotely close to being ready to do this jump rope choreo on stage,” Jackman captioned the post. “She has the patience of a saint!!! And while I still messed up, I had a blast. And get to do it again 21 more times! Thank you.”
The concert series marks Jackman’s first live performances in five years and features songs from his distinguished career, including numbers from “Les Misérables,” “The Greatest Showman,” “The Boy From Oz,” and “The Music Man.”
The opening night on Friday drew an audience of friends, fans, and co-stars, including Ryan Reynolds, director Shawn Levy, and actress Sutton Foster. Jackman took to Instagram the next day to express his gratitude for the audience and his team.
“And the icing is we get to keep the party going 23 more times. Thank you to the cast and crew for your tireless efforts and talent,” he added.
Career on Stage and Screen
Born on Oct. 12, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, Hugh Michael Jackman initially pursued a communications degree at the University of Technology Sydney. However, his passion for performing arts emerged during his university years, leading him to enroll in the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where he graduated in 1994.Jackman’s breakout role came in 2000 when he was cast as Wolverine in “X-Men.” His portrayal of the brooding, clawed mutant spanned nine films over two decades, cementing his status as a Hollywood star and a fan favorite among superhero enthusiasts.
Beyond the “X-Men” franchise, Jackman has demonstrated remarkable range, earning critical acclaim for his performances in a variety of genres. In 2006, he starred in Christopher Nolan’s thriller “The Prestige,” playing a magician locked in a deadly rivalry. He later appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s epic romance “Australia” in 2008 and the historical musical “Les Misérables” in 2012. His portrayal of Jean Valjean in the latter earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and an Academy Award nomination.
Jackman is equally celebrated for his work in musical theater. In 2004, he won a Tony Award for his starring role in the Broadway production of “The Boy From Oz,” in which he played Australian singer-songwriter Peter Allen. He captivated audiences again in 2017 as P.T. Barnum in the musical film “The Greatest Showman.” The movie’s soundtrack, featuring the hit single “This Is Me,” became a global sensation and won a Grammy Award.
More recently, Jackman starred as Professor Harold Hill in the Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” performing alongside Sutton Foster. The production received widespread praise, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most versatile performers in the entertainment industry.
Offstage, Jackman has been an advocate for charitable causes and a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded Laughing Man Coffee, a fair-trade coffee company supporting global farmers. Jackman shares two adopted children with Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple, married for 30 years, announced their separation in 2023.
