Hugh Jackman received the honor of People's Sexiest Man Alive in this week's new People magazine. The title of "Sexiest Man Alive" is a fake award created by the rag every year as an excuse to show a little beefcake on the cover.
It is usually won by the same old contenders in Hollywood: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon and shuffled around each year. But this year, Jackman broke into the sexy ranks probably because of his new epic film "Austrailia" is, coincidentally, about to be released in the US. Hmmmm. Do you think the production company paid the magazine off?
Director Baz Luhrmann cast Jackman as a 1940s Outback rover who gets entangled in romance with Nicole Kidman's English land owner, just before World War II breaks out. After being tinkered with up to the last minute by Luhrmann, Australia will finally be released next week, having just premiered in the real Australia this week.
Jackman has been on the A list in both movies and the theater for most of the decade, but this is his first ever "sexy" cover award from People. He has numerous shirtless scenes and fight scenes that made Oprah Winfrey and her audience swoon when they viewed and discussed the movie "Australia" last week.
Hugh first entranced people with his theater work, then made it big as a gruffer sex symbol, Wolverine in the X-Men films. Jackman won numerous theatrical awards a few years later as Peter Allen in the musical The Boy From Oz, and has hosted the Tony Awards. Next summer, Jackman will star in his own X-Men spinoff as Wolverine.
A few rumors have spread over the years questioning Jackman's sexuality, especially after playing the gay Peter Allen on stage. But Jackman's attractiveness seems to be under a lot less doubt now.
For over 20 years, People has honored the sexiest men alive, with Mel Gibson as the first winner in 1985. George Clooney and Brad Pitt have won it twice, with other recent winners being McConaughey, Damon, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Ben Affleck and Richard Gere. People even gave the honor to Nick Nolte in 1992.