After Hugh Jackman started out his career working as a party clown, he has gone on to become incredibly rich and famous. As a result of all that success, Jackman has gotten to do an awful lot of truly incredible things. For example, Jackman has found himself in the privileged position to know that his work has brought joy into a lot of people’s lives which must be one of the most rewarding things anyone can experience. After all, almost everyone adores his portrayal of Wolverine and Jackman has starred in several stellar non-X-Men moves as well.
Of course, one of the other things that Hugh Jackman has been able to enjoy due to all of his success is that he has been able to work with some of the best actors in Hollywood. On top of that, it is all but certain that Jackman will continue to work with even more highly respected actors and directors in the years to come. However, as it turns out, there is one person that Jackman is unlikely to work with in the future as he has been unofficially banned from working with Angelina Jolie.
Inside Hugh Jackman's Relationship With His Wife, Deborra-Lee Furness
These days, Hugh Jackman is among the most famous actors in the world. Of course, it should go without saying that hasn’t always been the case. However, one thing that most of Jackman’s fans don’t know is that back when Hugh was still an unknown entity, his wife had already become a star.
An Australian who studied acting at the highly prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Deborra-Lee Furness did some performing on stage before departing America. After moving back to her home country, Furness began popping up in several roles before she rose to fame after starring in the 1988 film Shame. Ultimately, Furness’ acting success wound up unexpectedly changing her life during the mid-90s.
In 1995, Deborra-Lee Furness starred in ten episodes of a show called Correlli which co-starred a then-unknown actor named Hugh Jackman. After Jackman and Furness met while working on that show, it didn’t take them long to fall in love and the couple walked down the aisle together in 1996. From all accounts, Furness and Jackman remain very happily married after roughly 25 years of wedded bliss and they have two children together. Part of the reason why they seem so happy is that they have stood by one another through thick and thin, including when Jackman battled cancer with Furness’ love and support.
Hugh Jackman's Wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, Banned Him From Working With Angelina Jolie
Since Deborra-Lee Furness has been a big star in her home country for decades and she seems to be a born entertainer, she can’t be compared to most celebrity spouses. For example, when it was revealed that Furness and Jackman were interviewed by Australia’s Today show in 2015, that alone was unremarkable. However, during that interview, Furness said something that garnered a lot of headlines all over the world. At one point in the interview, Furness was asked if there were any Hollywood stars she didn’t want Hugh Jackman to work with. Without missing a beat, Furness jokingly stated Jackman can’t work with Angelina Jolie.
"I've told his agent he’s not allowed to work with Angelina." "I'm sure she's very nice and I love all, what she’s doing for, shining a light at the UN for adoption. I’m just kidding.” From there, Deborra-Lee Furness explained that her marriage to Hugh Jackman is strong enough that she doesn’t need to worry. "That's the deal with this business. If you get it right, if you pick the right partner, then, you traverse all those travails and challenges." Finally, Hugh Jackman chimed in to explain why he and Furness have such a strong connection. "We've managed to keep that. Deb had a rule, never apart for more than two weeks."
Hugh Responds
When people watch footage of Deborra-Lee Furness’ comment about Angelina Jolie, it is very clear that her comments were made in jest. However, that didn’t stop the press from covering the quote in total seriousness likely since Jackman and Jolie hadn’t worked together up until that point. Looking back on the situation, it is interesting to take note of the fact that Jackman and Jolie haven’t worked together since Furness’ statement either.
As a result of all those headlines, it makes sense that Hugh Jackman was asked about Deborra-Lee Furness’ comments about Angelina Jolie during a later interview. While talking to Entertainment Tonight interviewer Kevin Frazier shortly after the Jolie story hit the press, Jackman responded with a quote of his own. "Deb and I have been married for 20 years. We have a lot of rules. We’ve very balanced. So she said that – as long as she doesn’t work with Brad Pitt, we’re cool."