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Photos: Hugh Jackman Raises $1.85 Million At Star-Studded Birthday Performance
Hugh Jackman celebrated his 45th birthday by singing and dancing for 3200 people.
Backed by a 17-member orchestra, the actor performed for "One Night Only" Saturday to a capacity audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The event raised $1.85 million for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the Associated Press reports.
"This is probably the most narcissistic way to spend your birthday," he told AP after the show. "I chose my favorite songs and told stories about my life."
Jackman said he wanted the proceeds to go to MPTF because it offers "that unconditional helping hand you get in a family." The organization provides health care and other services to entertainment-industry workers and retirees.
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Reprising his one-man Broadway show, he shared personal stories, sang "The Way You Look Tonight" to wife and tap-danced a routine from Singin' In the Rain.
"To be here tonight, supporting this cause—and it couldn't have been a more generous crowd if it tried—in every way it was great," he told AP.
His wife Deborah Lee-Furness led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to Jackman.
Among the star-studded crowd were Tom Cruise, Terrence Howard, Darren Criss, Cybill Shepherd, Kristin Davis, X-Men director Bryan Singer, movie exec Jeffrey Katzenberg singer Neil Sedaka and songwriter Carole Bayer Sager.
The evening ended with Jackman auctioning a pair of customized Wolverine claws, tickets to the 2014 premiere of X-Men: Days Of Future Past and two sweaty undershirts he wore during the night's performance, which went for $11,000 each. He also auctioned off a Wolverine signed jacket, a Panerai watch, and a Fiat 500e that went for $50,000, according to Deadline Hollywood.
Each audience member also received an honorary pair of (paper) Wolverine claws and birthday cupcakes by Wolfgang Puck, one each seat.
As Jackman mentioned on Instagram, the show went on... to another continent. He boarded a plane for China shortly after 1 a.m. in order to promote his latest Wolverine movie.
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[Note: In the original version of this story, the number of people Jackman performed for was reported as 4500, as noted in the Associated Press story. Per a press release from Slate PR, that number was actually 3200.]
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