In THR's cover story, the first-time Oscar nominee defends the "caring and thoughtful" Rupert Murdoch, says Tony Robbins suggested he name the dueling sides of his personality -- "Frank was the more confident, and Charles was the other" -- and opens up about the emotional scars he suffered as a child.

This story first appeared in the Feb. 22 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

Hugh Jackman's image long has been that of a sunny-side up Australian -- a singing, dancing, easygoing actor, husband and father who can instantly transform from Academy Awards host (2009) to biceps-bulging heartthrob (Wolverine). But on this late-January morning, the movie star -- a first-time Oscar nominee for his role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables -- drops surprise after surprise. First, he tells this reporter he is friends with self-help guru Tony Robbins, who helped Jackman, 44, prepare for Les Mis by finding ways to cope with fear and anxiety, which bedevils the performer more before the camera than a live audience (as in his acclaimed show Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway). Robbins suggested the strapping 6-foot-3 superstar name the secure and insecure sides of his personality. “Frank was the more confident, and Charles was the other,” says Jackman.