One of the determinants of success as an actor is having a career-defining role in your resume. A role viewers can’t imagine someone else playing except you. For Hugh Jackman, that role is Wolverine in the Fox/Marvel’s X-Men franchise. Not only did this venture transform the actor into an international star, but it also made a lot of money, and contributed immensely on his way to a $150 million net worth.
While acting remains the primary profession for which Hugh Jackman is known, he is also a talented singer who has performed all over the world. He has performed on stage in musicals, as well as live concerts. Here’s how Hugh Jackman achieved his $150 million net worth.
How Did Hugh Jackman Achieve His Net Worth of $150 Million?
There are two significant sources of income that have helped Hugh Jackman achieve his $150 million net worth – acting and music. Others are his business investments, which include a production company and a coffee company.
After years of participating in high school plays and college drama, Hugh Jackman decided to turn his hobby into a career. He started his career in 1994 in the Australian show, Correlli. After making his first significant onscreen appearance on the show, he appeared in others like Blue Heelers, Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. He also appeared in films like Paperback Hero and Erskineville Wings before he got his breakthrough as Wolverine in 2000.
Wolverine and Hollywood Success
Before getting his role as Wolverine in 2000, Hugh Jackman had developed a reputation as a star actor in his home country, Australia. For his first role as Wolverine in the film, X-Men, he was paid $500,000. Following the release of the first film, Hugh Jackman became an international star.
He went on to play Wolverine in eight films, spanning 18 years and achieved a Guinness World Record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel superhero. After earning $500,000 for his first outing as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s salary increased to $20 million and he reportedly earned over $100 million for the role. The figure is not just from his salary, but also promotional payments and appearance fees.
While Wolverine remains his most successful role to date, Hugh Jackman also built his $150 million net worth as an actor from appearances in other films, including Real Steel, which fetched him $9 million in salary, Butter ($2 million), and others.
He has appeared in critically and commercially successful movies like Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, The Prestige, and several others.
The Australian-born actor has appeared in more than 50 movies and TV shows. Aside from earning massively over more than two and a half decades as an actor, he has also won several awards, including the Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Awards, for his works.
His Career as a Filmmaker
As a filmmaker, Hugh Jackman has had a noteworthy career, which has not only expanded his creative ventures but also earned him a notable net worth. He founded the film production company, Seed Productions, with his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness and business partner, John Palermo.
The company was established in 2004 and was in existence for six years. Via the company, Hugh produced films like Deception and one of his X-Men films, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
He also produced TV projects like Viva Laughlin, An Aussie Goes Barmy, and a few others. Although the company is no longer in existence, Hugh Jackson continues to be a producer and recently produced the documentary, Louder Together.
Musical Accomplishments
While Hugh Jackman is well-renowned for his work in front of the camera, a significant contributor to his net worth exists off-camera as a singer.
He has performed at multiple venues across the world, as well as on stage in various musicals, on Broadway and West End. Some of his music tours, such as The Man. The Music. The Show, grossed over $40 million, while his Broadway to Oz tour was equally as successful.
Over the course of his career, Hugh Jackman has married his music career and acting in films like Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman. He has earned a significant amount in the sales of soundtracks from the movies.
His Les Misérables soundtrack album is certified gold in the US, as well as in other major music markets. The success is replicated in The Greatest Showman, which has sold more than 7.3 million copies worldwide.
Other Sources of Income
Aside from earnings made from his music, acting, and film production, Hugh Jackman has further earned his net worth from business investments. Like the Laughing Man Coffee Company, which he founded in 2011. He has also made money via endorsement deals with various international brands like Montblanc and R.M. Williams.
