Who here could use some holiday cheer? I always appreciate as much as I can get. Today’s dose is compliments of Hugh Jackman. Hugh is a spokesman for Australian boot retailer R.M. Williams. Up until recently, he was also a 5 percent shareholder as well. But he just sold off his shares. I know what you’re thinking, “Great, Hecate, the rich get richer. Merry freaking Christmas – go suck on a fruitcake.” But it’s what Hugh did with his cash that makes me want to share this story. According to sources, Hugh turned around and distributed a chunk of the money back to the employees of the company by way of holiday bonuses. Thanks to an “anonymous shareholder,” each employee took home an additional $1,300 this Christmas.
Hugh Jackman has given away a whopping $1.2million dollars to the staff at boot retailer R.M. Williams, according to a new report.
The actor, 51, who until recently owned a five percent share in the Australian footwear and clothing company, gave a cash gift to 900 employees in the business, The Courier Mail reported on Sunday.
Staffers at the Adelaide-based company went home with a $1300 Christmas bonus from an ‘anonymous shareholder’ The Courier Mail believes Hugh, who sold his stake in the company in October, is that anonymous donor.
The paper reports that R.M. Williams would not confirm the identity of the shareholder, but did say that ‘a former R.M. Williams shareholder has provided staff with a cash gift’.
CB touched on disclosing donors with her Mackenzie Scott story. On the one hand, they ask to be anonymous but on the other, these kinds of acts make powerful statements. In Mackenzie’s case, she highlighted several overlooked charities and institutions. In this instance, it’s another way the wealthy can directly impact people. Hugh has a personal connection to this company as their spokesperson. This was a lovely way to hand money directly to folks who affect his livelihood but are obviously not reaping the benefits like he is. It’s like leaving your favorite wait person a 100% tip on occasion – other than taxes, it goes directly in their pocket. I don’t know who leaked this story, whether it was Hugh’s team, someone who distributed the cash that was moved by it or a grateful recipient. I’m glad they did because I think it’s important to hear that folks are making these kinds of gestures during this time. Hugh created Laughing Man Coffee Company, which supports Laughing Man Foundation. All the proceeds go back to the Foundation’s programs but I’m sure the company is generous to their employees as well.
Hugh is never generous, however, to Ryan Reynolds, even when they are competing for Most Generous. The two recently competed in a sales competition at Sam’s Club’s stores with Hugh’s Laughing Man Coffee sales supporting his Laughing Man Foundation and Ryan’s Aviation Gin sales supporting The Sick Kids Foundation. When Hugh found out he won, this is how he told Ryan:
Quite literally, I have a legal obligation to post this. pic.twitter.com/xq8q7ZXvb4
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 21, 2020
Also, Hugh’s latest ad for R.M. Williams is a riot
Photo credit: Instagram and Twitter
The boot ad!! Oh good grief that’s a great watch.
If the cheque thing was him it’s a great gesture and does need to be talked about to encourage others to do the same.
It doesn’t change the fact that he is still friends with Jared and Ivanka, and even justify their friendship by saying he doesn’t speak about politics with his friends, says a lot about his moral values.
This is like the single negative thing I’ve ever heard about him and while I know it’s true, I’d love to know WHY. Maybe…we just can’t have perfection?
Sickening. That’s like being friends with one of Hitler’s henchmen, kids in cages are okay kind of people.
He’s also a longtime friend (and defender) of the Murdochs. I would imagine he’s all the way right wing.
Ash we are talking about the Trump. White supremacists and Nazis apologists Trump. Not to mention the fact that he is trying to throw an democratic election right now. Who tf is friend with that kind of people ?
WD, He backs gay marriage and believes in global warming so I don’t think he is a righty. He also performed at a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in the last election. Though he is an Aussie and doesn’t vote in our elections, I would guess he is probably more on the liberal side.
I think he found himself in a situation where he was friends with them for over a decade before Trump was elected. I’m sure politics never came up before then. He has probably never dumped someone over politics before. I will admit that I didn’t dump my loved ones over politics either, but I would make an exception for the Kushners. It isn’t just different political philosophies with them, they actually have blood on their hands.
He should dump them if he hasn’t already.
Unfortunately that is the first thing I think every time I see or read some thing about him now. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.
The check to the company employees is a nice thing though.
Me either.
Hugh Jackman is the total package, isn’t he? And Ryan Reynolds has a great sense of humor. Good job to both of them.
I really enjoyed the call to Ryan about the results of their competition. I wish more people had such a good sense of humor about themselves.
I LOLd at the video.
That’s very kind. Most people I know aren’t getting their usual bonus this year, which is often used to cover Christmas expenses.
I enjoy the competition between Hugh and Ryan.
I think that’s freaking awesome, I’m sure that extra bonus made a difference to those people! Well done Hugh!! 🙂
Good stuff but like I said in the other thread, until these uber wealthy celebs start advocating for a fairer tax system in every country (and hence better redistribution of the collective wealth of a country), they can continue to use charity all they like – in the same way charity has been PR for the 1% through history for many centuries – and I will continue to say, “Nice gesture, but it’s just a gesture until you talk about income inequality and the falsehood of meritocracies (i.e., luck and birth situation matters more than hard work.”