Oscar Maximilian Jackman is the son of actor Hugh Jackman and actress Deborra-Lee Furness. He was born in May 2000 and was adopted by the couple as an infant. He has a younger sister, Ava Eliot Jackman, who was also adopted.
Oscar grew up mostly away from the spotlight. His parents have spoken about his adoption, Bosnian heritage, education, and the way they tried to give him a normal childhood despite Hugh’s fame.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Oscar Maximilian Jackman |
| Born | May 2000 |
| Reported birthday | May 15, 2000 |
| Reported birthplace | California, United States |
| Known for | Being Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness’ son |
| Father | Hugh Jackman |
| Mother | Deborra-Lee Furness |
| Sister | Ava Eliot Jackman |
| Heritage | Part Bosnian |
| Education | Finished high school around 2019 |
| Profession | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Oscar Was Adopted as a Baby
Oscar Maximilian Jackman was born in May 2000. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness adopted him as an infant that year.
Some secondary sources give his exact birthday as May 15, 2000, and his birthplace as California. These details have not been confirmed by the stronger sources available.
Hugh and Deborra had always considered adoption. It became their clear path to parenthood after they experienced fertility problems, including miscarriages and IVF treatment.
Hugh has said the experience was especially difficult for Deborra. The couple eventually decided to move forward with adoption rather than continue trying to have a biological child.
Why Hugh and Deborra Chose Adoption
Hugh has explained that he and Deborra considered where there was the greatest need when adopting.
They learned that mixed-race children could face more difficulty finding adoptive families. This influenced their decision.
Hugh has also made clear that he does not think of Oscar or Ava differently because they were adopted. He simply considers them his children.
Oscar’s Bosnian Heritage
Oscar Maximilian Jackman has a mixed cultural background. One part that his parents have publicly discussed is his Bosnian heritage.
Deborra said that when Oscar was young, he discovered that he was part Bosnian. She and Hugh bought him a Croatian/Bosnian cookbook to help him learn about that part of his background.
According to Deborra, Oscar was proud to carry the cookbook around when he was about seven years old.
Some secondary sources give a more detailed ethnic background for Oscar, but those details have not been confirmed as clearly as his Bosnian roots.
His Reported Biological Family

Secondary sources identify Oscar’s biological mother as Amber Lanham from Iowa. They also report that he has two biological sisters named Olivia and Nyomi Lanham.
According to these reports, Oscar met members of his biological family when he was 18. He reportedly visited Iowa and met his sisters and an aunt.
The same reports say his biological mother died in 2005, before Oscar was able to reunite with her. His reported maternal grandfather, Thomas Lanham, also died before meeting him.
These details about Oscar’s biological relatives come from secondary reports and have not been confirmed in the stronger sources available.
His Sister, Ava Eliot Jackman
Oscar Maximilian Jackman has a younger sister named Ava Eliot Jackman.
Hugh and Deborra adopted Ava in 2005. She was born on July 10 of that year.
Deborra has said Ava has Mexican heritage. Just as they helped Oscar learn about his Bosnian background, the family traveled to Mexico so Ava could learn more about her own roots.
Deborra has explained that she wanted both children to understand and respect the different cultures and family histories connected to them.
Who Is Hugh Jackman?
Hugh Jackman is an Australian actor known for film, television, theater, and musical performances.
He became especially famous for playing Wolverine in the X-Men film series. His other major work includes Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, and stage productions such as The Music Man.
Hugh has spoken frequently about fatherhood. He has said that raising Oscar and Ava changed his priorities and taught him a great deal.
He was also aware that Oscar Maximilian Jackman faced a different childhood because his father was famous. Hugh once explained that being known as Wolverine’s son could create pressure that he never experienced while growing up.
His Mother, Deborra-Lee Furness
Deborra-Lee Furness is an Australian actress and adoption advocate.
She has supported efforts to improve adoption systems and help children find permanent families. Her work has included involvement with National Adoption Awareness Week in Australia and Adopt Change.
Deborra has also spoken publicly about raising adopted children and the importance of respecting their cultural backgrounds.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness Separated
Hugh and Deborra met in 1995 while working on the Australian television series Correlli. They married on April 11, 1996.
They announced their separation in September 2023 after nearly three decades of marriage. In their statement, they said their family had been and would remain their highest priority.
Deborra filed for divorce in May 2025.
Oscar and Ava were both adults by the time of the divorce filing.
Oscar Grew Up Away From Fame
Hugh and Deborra generally kept Oscar Maximilian Jackman and Ava away from constant media attention.
They rarely shared photographs of the children and did not regularly bring them to celebrity events.
Hugh also tried to make Oscar understand that growing up in a successful family came with responsibilities. In 2018, he said his children had many advantages and that he wanted them to use those advantages to help other people.
Growing Up With Wolverine as His Father
Hugh understood that his fame could affect Oscar.
He once compared Oscar’s experience with his own childhood. Hugh’s father was an accountant, so Hugh did not grow up dealing with public attention connected to a famous parent.
Hugh said being Wolverine’s son could be a burden.
There were also lighter moments. Hugh once recalled that when Oscar was 13, Oscar used his father’s Wolverine fame while trying to impress a girl at the beach. Hugh joked that he had become his teenage son’s wingman.
Hugh Had to Change His Parenting Style
As Oscar Maximilian Jackman became a teenager, Hugh found that simply giving him rules was no longer enough.
He said parenting changed from telling the children what they could or could not do to explaining the reasons behind those rules.
When Oscar was approaching the end of high school, Hugh said he enjoyed being able to have more mature conversations with his children.
Hugh has also said that fatherhood helped put the rest of his life into perspective.
Oscar Maximilian Jackman’s Education
Oscar was finishing high school around 2019.
One secondary source identifies his school as Ross School in New York and says he graduated in 2019. The same source reports that he later attended college in the New York area.
A specific college has not been reliably confirmed.
What Does Oscar Maximilian Jackman Do?
Oscar Maximilian Jackman has not publicly announced a professional career.
There is no reliable information showing that he has followed Hugh into acting or another part of the entertainment industry.
His current employer, occupation, and professional projects have not been publicly confirmed.
Reported Relationship
A secondary source linked Oscar to Grace Hingston-Hurtado in 2020.
The report said they met through a mutual friend while studying in New York. However, there is limited reliable public information confirming the relationship.
Oscar’s current relationship status is not publicly known.
Public Appearances
Oscar Maximilian Jackman has occasionally appeared publicly with his family.
On April 21, 2009, he joined Hugh, Deborra, and Ava at Hugh’s handprint and footprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Oscar has also been photographed with his parents in places including New York, Sydney, and at airports. However, public appearances have been relatively limited.
Social Media
Secondary reports say Oscar Maximilian Jackman previously used Instagram and shared information about meeting members of his biological family.
However, no major verified current public social media account belonging to Oscar has been established in the available information.
Oscar Maximilian Jackman’s Net Worth
Oscar’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
His current profession and earnings are private. Estimates based on Hugh Jackman’s wealth should not be presented as Oscar’s individual net worth.
Interesting Facts
- Oscar was born in May 2000.
- Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness adopted him as an infant.
- His reported birthday is May 15, 2000.
- He has a younger sister named Ava Eliot Jackman.
- Ava was also adopted by Hugh and Deborra.
- Oscar is part Bosnian.
- His parents bought him a Croatian/Bosnian cookbook when he was young to help him connect with his heritage.
- Hugh has said he does not think of Oscar and Ava as adopted; he simply sees them as his children.
- Oscar Maximilian Jackman was raised mostly outside the public spotlight.
- He attended Hugh’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre ceremony in 2009.
- He was finishing high school around 2019.
- His current profession has not been publicly confirmed.
- He has not established a public acting career like his father.
- His personal net worth is not reliably known.
Explore More:

