Hugh Jackman honours wife in sweet speech after rocking red carpet together

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness put on a loving red carpet display at the Santa Barbara Film Festival on Monday, before the Aussie actor took to the stage to accept the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film for his contribution to cinema. 

The prestigious award is only handed out to the best of the best and was a momentous occasion for Hugh, 50, who has impressed the industry with his versatility and talent throughout his career. 

Before the ceremony kicked off, Hugh and Deborra-lee, 62, walked the red carpet together and certainly didn’t disappoint in the style stakes. Deborra-lee stepped out in a chic cape-like dress and completed the glamorous look with black platform heels, silver dangling earrings and wore her hair tied back in an effortless style for the star-studded event.

Meanwhile, Hugh looked dapper in a grey suit matched with a blue dress shirt and burgundy tie.

Once inside, a long line of celebrities took to the stage to share their memories of working with Hugh over the years, with everyone from JK Simmons to fellow Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn singing his praises. 

“There is certainly no man that has ever had the length and type of career that Hugh Jackman has had,” Mendelsohn said of his longtime friend, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “In 25 years, I have never, ever heard someone say a bad word about him.”

When it was finally Hugh’s turn to take to the stage, he teared up when talking about his wife of 22 years, saying she taught him that life is “not defined” by highlight reels.

“Life actually happens in between that. Life happens when the camera is not going,” he said.

“You believed in me when I couldn’t. You’ve loved me with a passion and a depth that I didn’t even know existed — and I don’t think I felt that I deserved. You have pushed and encouraged me when I was scared to venture out. You have smiled me into smiling. You have sung me into singing. You have loved me into loving and like everything I do in my life, I share this with you. I love you.”

When @RealHughJackman honors his wife while he’s being honored. pic.twitter.com/DNHV1HUPeA

— Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) November 20, 2018

Hugh later took to Instagram, posting a photo of himself and Kirk, honouring the man the award was named for. 

He wrote: “THE LEGEND. MR. KIRK DOUGLAS. It is my great honor [sic] to receive tonight’s award in your name.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqX7SGfn68z/

Read more: Hugh Jackman’s wife steals the show in striking black dress at glitzy bash

The glamorous outing was just the latest public display of love between Hugh and Deborra-lee. Just last week Hugh paid tribute to his wife for creating charity organisation Hopeland. Taking to Instagram, the actor shared a photo of himself embracing his beloved wife.

“So proud of Deb for creating this incredible organisation,” he wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqOX-Ngnrw2/?utm_source=ig_embed

And on Sunday the couple put on a stunning display as they attended Sunday’s Governors Awards in California. Deborra-lee looked glamorous in a striking black gown, while Hugh looked dapper in a blue tux with black trimming for the star-studded event.

The actors met on the set of the Australian drama Corelli in 1995 and have been going strong ever since.

Are you a fan of Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman? Do you like their style?