Hugh Jackman Says Joan Rivers "Had Everything Planned Out" for Him to Sing at Her Funeral—Watch Now!

"When Joan Rivers asks, you just answer," actor told Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday's Tonight Show

By Rebecca Macatee Sep 11, 2014 3:47 PMTags

Joan Rivers' wanted her memorial to be "a huge showbiz affair," so before she passed away, she made sure to put in a few requests.

Like, for example, asking for Hugh Jackman to sing a specific Broadway tune at her funeral Sunday, which he did. The Wolverine hunk "felt honored" by the request, he told Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday's Tonight Show, adding matter-of-factly, "When Joan Rivers asks, you just answer!"

"She had planned everything out," Hugh explained. "She'd seen me in a show called The Boy From Oz, which I did here on Broadway...and I sang a song from that called, 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage.'"

"It's a beautiful celebration of a woman," he went on, "and it's for her. The entire audience in the synagogue got up and started clapping and cheering. The whole thing was very uplifting, very touching and moving, but very funny."

Jimmy pointed out that Joan, who was 81 when she passed away last week, "would want it to be funny."

Hugh agreed, calling the E! Fashion Police co-host "an amazing woman." He said he "felt honored" to be a part of her memorial, calling it "an appropriate send-off." 

The Les Misérables actor was one of many stars who wanted to pay their respects and celebrate the comedy legend's incredible life. More than 40 stars attended her funeral, many of whom were dressed to the nines in honor of Joan.