Man of the moment, Hugh Jackman, turns 40 this weekend just weeks before the release of the keenly anticipated new Baz Luhrmann flick, Australia — hotly tipped to be one of the movie highlights of the year.
In pictures: See Hugh throughout his career, pictured alongside some of Hollywood’s hottest leading ladies.
Having become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men, Hugh has enjoyed a new level of success since starring in hit films such as Swordfish — where he starred alongside Hollywood heavyweight John Travolta — Van Helsing, The Prestige, and landing the role of Wolverine in the X-Men movies.
Jackman also starred as Leopold in the 2001 romantic comedy film Kate & Leopold, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
In 2004 the Aussie star went on to win a Tony Award for his Broadway portrayal of Australian songwriter and performer Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz, while also earning himself an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performer in a Variety, Musical or Comedy program in 2005.
Hugh’s latest role in the blockbuster movie Australia sees him starring alongside Aussie star Nicole Kidman on a sweeping outback set during World War II. The film tells the story of an English aristocrat (Kidman), who inherits a huge cattle station, leading her to become captivated by its Australian drover (Jackman). The film is set to storm the box office, and hits cinemas on November 26.