Hugh Jackman gay? "It's big. It's everywhere."

From The Hollywood Reporter ("You Don't Know Jackman," February 22, 2013):

Jackman admits rumors about his sexuality have taken a greater toll than previously acknowledged, especially on his wife. "Just recently, it bugs her," he says, blaming the Internet, which she frequents more than he does. (Jackman largely sticks to cricket sites and The Economist.) "She goes: 'It's big. It's everywhere!'"

His X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner shrugs off the gossip. "I have seen him with Deborra since the beginning of their trip to Hollywood, and I've been on five movie sets with him and have never seen him stray, have never seen him eye anyone. I met him when he did Oklahoma! [at London's Royal National Theatre in 1999]. He was genuine, hugely talented. He was in love with his wife that day and still is."

"Gay? I wish! If I were gay, there'd be no problem! No, what I have is a romantic abnormality. One so unbelievable that it must be hidden from the public at all costs."

- Troy McClure, The Simpsons ("A Fish Called Selma")

(*sigh* I miss you, Phil Hartman.)

Seriously, Hugh Jackman is my favorite actor in movies right now. That's not an especially strong statement; it's not as if I keep a list, and I don't go out and see every new movie he's in. But I've enjoyed his performances in everything I've seen, and I always find him an extremely likable, down-to-earth (I mean, for a guy who technically makes his living by pretending to be other people) personality in interviews and other "real-life" appearances. This Hollywood Reporter feature is no different, although his life story is not without twists and eccentricities (like, for example, that he was active in the church into his late teens but no longer prays, that he now meditates daily instead, that his mother walked out when he was 8, that he married a much older woman, that his kids are adopted).

He was never a "serious" actor like Russell Crowe or Christian Bale, but there's something to be said for a guy who can go back and forth between headlining opposite those noted thespians and doing Wolverine movies and Real Steel (awesome, by the way!). Singer, dancer, People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," the greatest awards show host this century has seen so far—that's some versatility. And, as much as I didn't care for Bryan Singer's X-Men movies, I think the one great thing that emerged out of them was the casting of Jackman as Wolverine. Sure, maybe one day there will be another actor to play the role, and maybe that guy will turn in the definitive live-action Wolverine performance. (I mean, I used to think Jack Nicholson as the Joker was pretty great, but now I watch that movie and think it's, well, kind of a joke.) But, for now, Hugh Jackman is my definitive Wolverine. I enjoy him in the role far more than I ever liked the character in the comics, and I am grateful that he is still not too proud to keep reprising the role for going on six films.

And I'd honestly never heard the gay rumors before. Guess I don't frequent the Internet enough.