Hugh Jackman Says He Dedicates His Performances to God

Hugh Jackman Says He Dedicates His Performances to God October 4, 2015

HughJackmanParade2(Photo property of Parade magazine)

In this week’s issue of “Parade” magazine, actor Hugh Jackman offers a variety of fascinating insights about his life while promoting his latest movie, “Pan.” He discusses his mother leaving his family when he was eight, the Wolverine-type anger that produced inside him, the peace that acting provides, and why he’s sensitive to the cause of adoption as both the sibling of – and parent of – adopted children.

Jackman also discusses his religious faith:

When did you know that you were meant to be an actor?

I’m a Christian. I was brought up very religious. I used to go to different evangelists’ [revival] tents all the time. When I was about 13, I had a weird premonition that I was going to be onstage, like the preachers I saw.

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Setting aside the money and fame you earn, what does acting give you that you really need?

That’s the best question I’ve ever been asked. Peace. There are things driving me that aren’t all healthy—[needing] approval and respect to fill some hole who-knows-where in me. Am I worthy? All those fears. Through acting, I’m able to find a level of bliss and peace and calm and joy. And it feels natural.

Bliss, peace, transcendence: It sounds religious.

I’m a religious person. This is going to sound weird to you. In Chariots of Fire the runner Eric Liddell says, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” And I feel that pleasure when I act and it’s going well, particularly onstage. I feel what everyone’s searching for, the feeling that unites us all. Call it “God.” Before I go onstage every night, I pause and dedicate the performance to God, in the sense of “Allow me to surrender.” When you allow yourself to surrender to the story, to the character, to the night, to the audience, transcendence happens. And when that happens, there is nothing like it on the planet. It’s the moment people experience when they fall in love, which is equally frightening and exciting. That’s what it feels like.”

Go to Parade to read the whole interview.


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