Hugh Jackman, cover star of Good Housekeeping , is once again defending himself from a flurry of rumors surrounding his sexuality, and dishing on how he continues to incorporate romance in his marriage.
Jackman, 44, is no stranger to accusations that he is gay. He and his wife of 17 years, Deborra Lee Furness, recently sat down with 60 Minutes to vent their frustration with the gossip, The Celebrity Café reported.
Now, Jackman is telling Good Housekeeping that he doesn’t “really pay attention” to the rumors anymore.
"If someone's going to spend their time saying, 'You're really not 6' 2'; you're 5' 10,' I'll tell them once, 'I am 6' 2’,” the actor said. “Then, whatever you want to believe, it's up to you. We really only get mad when there's an element of truth, right?"
The actor proceeded to open up about his marriage and family life, saying he strives to be spontaneous in his relationship with his wife.
"My number one rule for romance is surprise," the Wolverine star said. “If I bring Deb flowers every Tuesday, yeah, it's nice, but is it romantic?"
Jackman then explained that he keeps an element of surprise by breaking routine every once in a while, especially when he is busy shooting a film.
"So much of life is about your routine,” he said. “I [recently] pretended I was still on the set. I called Deb and said, 'I'll be back late tonight.' And she got such a shock. I'd made reservations at our favorite lunch place. It was three hours before the kids finished school, and it was awesome because it was unplanned."
People Magazine reports that their former Sexiest Man alive revealed that his dedication to romance and spontaneity in his nearly 20 year relationship also helps his wife cope with weeks they must spend apart while he is in the middle of a role.
"She said, 'It's not that I think you're going to go off with a costar, or vice versa,” Jackman said when elaborating on Furness’ past fear of distance affecting their marriage. “ ‘But people get used to living apart. You get used to handling a problem yourself.' "
Jackman says that besides occasionally surprising each other, he and his wife make sure to communicate to the fullest extend, especially about the constant tabloid rumors that plague the actor and his family.
"The bedrock of any relationship is to communicate, and Deb and I have always done that, discussing whatever's going on, good or bad," he said. Though their marriage has had its share of ups and downs, the two-time Tony winner says he and Furness emphasize time with their children above everything else.
"The most pressing thing for Deb and me now?” Jackman said. “Helping the kids reach their potential. And having fun."
Image: NBC