Hugh Jackman AC (b. 1968) is the ultimate triple threat – actor, singer and dancer. Best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men movies, Jackman grew up in Sydney and turned down a role in Neighbours to focus on honing his skills at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Soon after graduating in 1994 he scored a role in the ABC television drama, Correlli, playing opposite Deborra-Lee Furness, who he married the following year. He won a Tony Award for his performance as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz (2003–2004), a Golden Globe for his role as Jean Valjean in the film Les Misérables (2012) and a Grammy for The Greatest Showman (2017).
Vincent Fantauzzo had organised to meet Jackman to take photos in preparation for this portrait, when Covid-19 hit and the actor flew back to New York. Instead, the portrait was based on an image by Furness and on Zoom chats between Jackman and Fantauzzo. 'There's a look in Hugh's eyes, it’s a moment in a conversation with someone he knows and trusts. It's not a GQ photo shoot. There's a love and intimacy, a side of Hugh that’s not the showman, it’s not Wolverine. I want people to walk in, see the portrait of Hugh and feel a real connection.'
Commissioned with funds provided by the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation and Paul Dainty AM and Donna Dainty 2020
© Vincent Fantauzzo
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