Hugh Jackman advises new grads that the most powerful career cues are ‘often disguised as failure’

You can be an Oscar-nominated actor; the face of one of the most prolific and highest-grossing action-movie series in history; a well-regarded theater actor and all-around social do-gooder—and still suffer from imposter syndrome. For college graduates, wide-eyed and uncertain of their futures, Hugh Jackman has some comforting words: you’re going to fail, and you’re going to fail often, and that’s the best track for success.

“My life has not gone the way I thought it would,” Jackman recently told graduates of Ball State University during his commencement speech. “A lot of the best things that have ever happened to me have been mistakes or failures or random classes I joined to get me across the finish line.”

It may come as a surprise that the Oscar-nominated star, who has graced the silver screen in hits like Les Misérables and Wolverine, still wrestles with failure. Jackman spent decades honing his craft and racking up accolades across film, TV, and theater, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, and even the fifth highest-paid actor of 2024. 

However, the 57-year-old actor’s career would look starkly different today if it weren’t for his mistakes in college. Jackman finally found his true calling after spending years walking down a different professional path—and even his transition to the stage was a bumpy ride. He’s continued to fail in the years to come, but recognizes that it’s all part of the........

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