Hugh Jackman wins at Golden Globes
Hugh Jackman has won the best actor Golden Globe for his part in Les Miserables, and thanked his wife for convincing him to take the role.
The 44-year-old beat fellow nominees Silver Linings Playbook star Bradley Cooper, Jack Black (Bernie), Ewan McGregor (Salmon Fishing In The Yemen) and Bill Murray (Hyde Park on Hudson).
In receiving the award, Jackman thanked his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, for "always being right".
He admitted that at one point in rehearsal, he wanted to quit the film because he felt he was not up to the role.
"Wow. Thank you," a jubilant Jackman said on stage in the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
"My wife talked me off the cliff like she talks me most days. Baby, I will say it in front of the entire world: thank you for always being right, baby. I love you."
Les Miserables also won the Globe for best motion picture, musical or comedy.
This is Jackman's first Golden Globe win, after previously being nominated in 2002 for his performance in Kate & Leopold.
The triumph adds to his swag of awards, which includes an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards, an AFI Award and two People’s Choice Awards.
The win is a major boost to Jackman's Oscar hopes, confirming him as the second favourite for the Academy Award behind frontrunner Daniel Day-Lewis.
The Globes do not always predict the winners of the Oscars, but a win boosts a campaign, while a loss can torpedo an actor's chances.
Earlier, Nicole Kidman was up for two Golden Globes - for her supporting performance in The Paperboy and the TV movie Hemingway & Gellhorn - but bombed out of both.
Keith Urban was nominated in the original song category for For You, but was beaten by Adele's song Skyfall.
