The high price of playing the role of a Werewolf 

The cost was in Hugh’s voice 

Hugh, the Australian actor beloved for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, has revealed the significant personal sacrifice he made while portraying the fierce character. In a recent interview, Hugh – now 54 years old, shared that his voice was permanently damaged due to the intense growling and screaming while playing the role of Wolverine. This revelation highlights the physical toll some actors endure to bring iconic characters to life on screen.

How Wolverine ruined Hugh’s singing voice 

Hugh first took on the role of Wolverine in 2000, and over the years, his role has become legendary. However, the character’s gruff, raw nature required Hugh to push his voice to the limit. The constant need to growl, growl, and scream during anger or fight scenes eventually led to lasting damage to his vocal cords. Hugh confessed that this injury has affected his vocal range, which is especially meaningful to him because he has a passion for singing and performing music.

Known for his work in musical theater and musical films such as Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman, Hugh’s voice is an essential tool in his diverse acting repertoire. The loss of his vocal power represented a significant sacrifice for his love of singing. “What I did to my vocal cords while playing Wolverine affected my voice forever,” Hugh explains. “My voice is not as strong as it used to be.”

A sacrifice for the role of a lifetime

Although the role of Wolverine brought Hugh worldwide fame and success, the role also entailed a heavy price. As a classically trained singer and performer, Jackman’s vocal health is an integral part of his wider career, but the stress of portraying Wolverine left an impact long term. However, Hugh shows no regrets because this character has helped him achieve extraordinary career milestones. The werewolf has become a cultural phenomenon, and Hugh’s portrayal of the character is considered one of the greatest in superhero film history.

Despite the damage to his voice, Hugh continues to perform and take on new acting challenges. He has talked about the importance of finding a balance between intense, physically demanding roles and roles that allow him to use his other talents, like singing and dancing.

A 30-year love story with Deborra-Lee Furness

In addition to his career, Hugh’s personal life has also attracted attention, especially his long-term marriage to Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple have been married for nearly three decades, having met on the set of the Australian television show Correlli in 1995. Despite their 13-year age difference, their relationship has stood the test of time and they have together built a life full of joy, love, and support.

Hugh and Furness got married just 11 months after meeting each other and they later adopted two children after moving to the United States in the early 2000s. Throughout their relationship, the couple faced many rumors, especially regarding Jackman’s gender.

Deborra-Lee Furness has publicly addressed persistent rumors regarding Jackman’s sexuality, with speculation suggesting that the actor is secretly gay. In an interview last year, Furness dismissed the rumors, calling them “ridiculous.” “If Hugh were gay, he would live openly as a gay man,” she said. “He wouldn’t hide his identity for that long, especially when given the opportunity to openly date gay men in his industry. It is unreasonable to continue talking about these baseless rumors.”

Furness expressed disappointment with the ongoing rumors, noting that such rumors are not only untrue but also boring. She emphasized that Hugh is an open and honest person who would never hide his true identity, especially in a world that is becoming more and more accepting.

Hugh and Deborra-Lee Furness are an example of a successful and loving Hollywood marriage. Their connection, both personal and professional, has remained strong over the years. Despite the pressures of fame and constant media scrutiny, their relationship remained strong, and they raised their two children together while maintaining thriving careers.

Hugh’s role as the Wolverine was legendary, but it came at a high cost to his vocal health. His dedication to the role, which required intense physical and emotional performances, caused lasting damage to his vocal cords. Despite this sacrifice, Hugh remains proud of his role as Wolverine, knowing that it contributed to his success and impact in Hollywood.

With a supportive partner like Deborra-Lee Furness by his side, Hugh continues to navigate the challenges of fame while embracing new roles and opportunities. His story is one of resilience, talent, and unwavering commitment to his craft, no matter the cost.