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Hugh Jackman is the cover boy for the October issue of Men’s Fitness magazine. His interview is focused around an all day training session and photo shoot he had with boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard. Hugh was preparing for his role as a washed up boxer in Real Steel, which is not-so-jokingly being called the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots movie. It’s out on October 7, and is yet another role in which Jackman had to take his body to the limit. He’s more than up to it of course, and has the dedication and attitude to do whatever it takes.
Hugh’s article in Men’s Fitness necessarily focuses on the way he trains and eats right, but there’s also a lot of marveling at how down to earth and genuinely friendly he is. Hugh is so nice and normal, the author declares that he’s taken “the nicest guy in Hollywood” title away from Tom Hanks. Here’s more:
A typical “good day” is lunch with Deborra-Lee Furness, his wife of 15 years, a walk, an hour of singing, and a visit with friends. A mention of his 2008 People Magazine “Sexiest Man Alive” crown elicits self-deprecation. “An old friend of mine e-mailed me and he said he had cowboy boots sexier than me,” he says. He discusses his extensive charitable projects, inquires sincerely about my career and life, and perhaps most surprisingly, he’s not on his iPhone when I return from the bathroom. Instead he’s by the front door waiting for me. “Ready, mate?” he asks.
“Honestly,” I say, careful not to fall for that g’day chumminess. “When was the last time someone called you an asshole?” He bellows a deep and genuine laugh. “I don’t really know,” he says. “I”m a bit of a people pleaser, unfortunately. My wife says it’s hard to be married to me. She wishes I were more of an asshole.”
A short walk later we arrive for the cover shoot at Brooklyn’s legendary Gleason’s boxing gym. Old fight posters cover the walls. The air is sharp with sweat. Bells ring, ropes snap, mitts crack, trainers bark…
Two dozen of the gym’s current fighters, entrenched in their daily regimen, barely bat an eye. Jackman needs no sycophants, however. He immediately introduces himself to the gym owner, a few trainers and the photo crew. Smiles and handshakes. A pat on the back here and there. Nothing phony, nothing forced…
At 5 p.m., the shoot wraps. While Leonard doles out pointers to awestruck fighters, Jackman changes into street clothes. THen he eats a small portion of grilled chicken and veggies, his third such plate of the afternoon. When he finishes, he does not, as I expect, bolt for the exit. Instead, he makes his way around the gym thanking all of the folks for their efforts. It’s at this moment that my New York cynicism disappears. When he sidles up to me, flashes that megawatt smile, and asks, “That wasn’t so bad, eh?” a truth hits me like a right cross. Tom Hanks, you’re toast. Hugh Jackman really is the nicest guy in Hollywood.
[From Men's Fitness, print edition, October, 2011]
The journalist spent all day with Hugh and didn’t even see a glimmer of attitude or phoniness. That’s more convincing to me than any interview or quote directly from Hugh. I really like the guy. I know some people think he’s hiding some giant secret, but think about it. With our rampant gossip press, wouldn’t we have heard way more than just vague rumors by now? I think those started because it’s hard to believe that he’s that decent a guy and has been happily married, with nary a cheating rumor, for 15 years.
On a more superficial note, Hugh looks hot on the photos inside the magazine, but he looks tired and worn out on the cover. I’m not a fan of all the stubble, or of his haircut. His pecs and arms are amazing, though. There are more photos, along with Hugh’s workout plan, in the October issue of Men’s Fitness.
Hugh is shown at the Real Steel preview last Friday in London on 9/16/11. Credit: WENN.com
Written by Celebitchy
Posted in Good Celebrity, Hugh Jackman, Photos
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He is perfect: great body, he sings, he dances, he can act!
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*sigh*
Thanks for the article and photos. He is adorable in many ways. I believe he is a nice guy.
*sigh*
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I get this! My boyfriend is the biggest sweetheart and sometimes I hate it.
Like when we get in a fight and I start to get really angry and he apologizes immediately, even if it’s my fault. He’s being all loving and I’m like STFU I have more things I want to yell about!
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I him soooo much!!!
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I love him, he just seems like a nice family guy…who is also super hot!
His wife is a lucky woman!
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The rumors started b/c his choice of wife surprises some people. Get over it!
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A friend’s sister has kids who went to school with Jackman’s kids in NYC and yeah…he really is that nice. Picked up his kids every day, chatted with the other parents, super-nice to everyone. He is amazing.
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But yeah, I get the whole ‘what is he hiding’ attitude people have with him. We are used to scumbags.
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Mmmmmmmm Hugh Jackman….*drifts off to some dreamland where I’m his wife and can wake up to him every morning*
Mmmmmmmmmmmm……..
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All these pictures are gorgeous. Stunning specimen.
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1. Hugh is hot as hell
and
2. Easy to say when you’re married to a nice guy. Be careful what you wish for.
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Hugh, oh Hugh… how I love you.
I could watch this guy paint a fence, so yea, I will definitely see his rockem sockem robot movie – no matter how silly the premise.
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I want Hugh on my wish list to Santa…if only. Love that man, great voice, great body, great personality…
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I like this part, very respectful and smart: “I really like the guy. I know some people think he’s hiding some giant secret, but think about it. With our rampant gossip press, wouldn’t we have heard way more than just vague rumors by now? I think those started because it’s hard to believe that he’s that decent a guy and has been happily married, with nary a cheating rumor, for 15 years.” Well, I hope that this respect continue, because people should be known in person before judging and speculating ruining their reputation through the press…
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Lalala, I have a friend with kids there, too, and that’s how I had my one and only HJ encounter — omg this guy is SO nice, so genuine, so unimpressed with himself, and SO freaking good-looking in person. IN short, yes he is as perfect as he seems.
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I adore this guy. I just came from the Brad Pitt post where someone said that Angelina is so lucky. No. Hugh’s wife is lucky. He seems humble, intelligent, nice, funny, and handsome to boot.
I just think he’s beautiful.
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Makes me love him all the more. He’s just so all-around yummy!
(AND his wife is older than he, they have two beautiful children, do lots of family things together…he seems to genuinely ENJOY his life. Lovely!)
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I think his gay but it’s not my business.
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I want to trade places with his wife for one day.
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I love Hugh. Love him. I don’t care if he’s homo/hetero/trioro/quadruplio . . .
The gay started because he does musical theater, plus his wife doesn’t fit the movie star wife mold. Good on ya, Hugh!
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I think I’ve said the exact same thing to my husband before! LOL I agree that the cover shot is not his best.
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Great guy. I wish him all the best.
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I hate to say this but I can’t see him and his wife together. I know love comes in all shapes and sizes but she literally looks she could be his mom :L
With that said, that makes him even more of a sweetheart because apparently none of that cr4p matters.
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Dreamy!!
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Hugh was my first real Hollywood crush. I happen to think his wife and kids are probably the absolute lucky people on the planet. He just has it goin’ on! I would pay to watch him, watch paint dry:) And, if you have never seen him in “Kate and Leopold” you have no idea what you are missing;)
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I could care less if he has a big secret or not, that’s between him and his wife.
I just think he seems very sweet and very genuine, two things that never go hand and hand in hollywood.
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Hugh is blessed in many ways and he knows that. I believe that is why he is such a genuine person, nothing fake at all. He’s truly thankful for everything in his life and it shows. If more people were like Hugh, this world would be a much better place to live in. To say “I love Hugh” is great for people, but to say you “love the person he is”, in my opinion, is even greater, and that my friends, is exactly what I say….”I love the person he is inside”, because that is what makes him who he is.
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Heaven forbid a man have an interest other than football and beer. I like basketball…. I guess I’m gay because that has nothing to do with the domestic ‘arts’.
I co-sign with you, CB, and others – don’t think that he’s gay. He’s a stand up guy who is has a variety of interests.
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sugar ray is the other nicest guy. Fitting.
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I love that Hugh has kept his ‘aussie-ness’ – it really bugs me to see other aussies in hollywood being haughty or painfully ‘straaaylyan. Onya, Hugh!
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Just….*huge dreamy sigh* I’d love to sit down and have a drink with him. He seems so down to earth and just a wonderful man all around. Married 15 years and narry a word on cheating? That doesn’t go hand in hand in the Hollyweird scene. Keep up your wonderfulness, Mr. Jackman!
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His new movie looks terrible. I’ve always hoped he would get some good, meaty roles because he’s very talented, but it just isn’t happening for him. He’s so hot and seems like a good guy! I hate that every gossip site thinks that any good looking man is gay and hiding it. He’s been married longer than he’s been famous and I think we’d be hearing more stories if he were gay.
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Such a relief from the Brad Pitt trashy bandwagon. If you are a big star, and you want to have a semblance of a ‘normal’ life, don’t marry Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston. Marry someone who can keep you grounded.
As I’ve said before, Colin Firth and Hugh Jackman do it for me way more than Mr. Pitt.
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he was on a show over here and he was soooo nice.
a female politician went all crazy over him and he even sent greatings to her daughter who has a major crush on him.
he was so genuinely sweet.
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