Les Misérables' Hugh Jackman: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Golden Globes Favorite

Oddsmakers give Wolverine star the edge to claim first-ever Globe; how he got out in front, and where he goes from here

By Joal Ryan Jan 12, 2013 6:00 PMTags
Les MiserablesLaurie Sparham/Universal Studios

If the oddsmakers are right, Hugh Jackman will win his first career Golden Globe Sunday night.

How the Les Misérables leading man got out in front, and where he goes from here:

1. He Auditioned for Director Tom Hooper—for Three Hours: No, Les Mis has never lacked for tales of suffering.

2. He Went for Three Days Without Food and, Worse, Water: The deprivation diet helped Jackman look the part in his opening scenes as the "fresh"-from-prison Jean Valjean, and its results have proved a centerpiece of the film's Oscar campaign.

3. His Toughest Globe Competition Is Bradley Cooper: The Silver Linings Playbook star is the only other actor in the Comedy/Musical category who is viewed as a legit awards-season candidate.

4. His Toughest Competition at the Oscars May Be Too Tough to Beat: Daniel Day-Lewis is Lincoln in Lincoln, as well as the presumptive Best Actor front-runner. Sunday's Globes may be Jackman's lone chance to record a significant victory for Les Mis 

5. He'll Be Backas Wolverine: Jackman returns to his signature film role in The Wolverine, due out July 26. All of this is to help explain why Jackman looked so mutton-choppy during his P.R. coup of a 60 Minutes interview.