Hugh Jackman’s wife says he’d date Brad Pitt if THOSE rumors were true

It’s hard to know how much Hugh Jackman’s wife is fed up with ongoing rumors about her husband’s sexual orientation, but she certainly has no trouble making jokes about the gossip whenever the opportunity arises.

In the most recent instance, Deborra-Lee Furness, 66, addressed the rumors about Jackman, 53, during a podcast interview, Us Weekly reported. She laughingly argued that the culture has evolved to the point that her handsome and charismatic husband wouldn’t still need to be in the closet.

“Hugh’s been gay for whatever, I mean, hello guys – if he was gay, he could be gay!” Furness joked during the “Not an Overnight Success” podcast, which dropped on Sunday, Us Weekly said.

Furness added: “He didn’t have to hide in the closet anymore, and he’d be dating Brad Pitt, or whatever. Not that Brad’s gay, but you know what I’m saying!”

Furness’ comments come shortly after the couple celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. The actor and mom of two has said similar things before, including in 2020 when she said on an Australian TV show: “He’s been gay so many years.’

In that interview, she said she hoped people weren’t buying magazine that published “made-up” and “mean-spirited” interviews. She  admitted that the speculation about their marriage has been more than annoying.

“It’s just wrong,” Furness said. “It’s like someone saying to Elton John, ‘He’s straight.’ I’m sure he’d be pissed.”

Furness also acknowledged that one aspect of being married to Jackman has been hard. She said people constantly remind her how lucky she is to be partnered with the dashing actor, singer and dancer, who she said is such a “stud muffin” that some people like to joke that he can’t be straight.

“People don’t realize that it’s actually rude to say that,” she said.

Jackman addressed the rumors himself in a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying that they have taken a toll, particularly on his wife. “Just recently, it bugs her,” Jackman said, blaming the internet. He said Furness started seeing the rumors “everywhere.”

Furness and Jackman, both Australians, met in 1995 while working together on a TV show, which was his first professional role as an actor. Furness has said the two had an “instant connection.”

“And I feel blessed that I experienced, that I feel like I met my soulmate, whatever that is,” she said.

The two married in 1996, a couple years before Jackman became known outside Australia, first by performing on stage in London and then by starring as Wolverine in the “X-Men” franchise. He also has starred in “Les Misérables,” “The Greatest Showman” and had successful turns hosting the Academy Awards and the Tonys. He won an Emmy for his performance in the HBO film “Bad Education,” and recently returned to Broadway to star in a revival of “The Music Man.”

He and Furness have two children, a son Oscar, 21, and daughter Ava, 16.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackman said that being under lockdown allowed for him to grow “closer” to Furness.

“Literally, my wife is dancing behind the camera as we speak,” Jackman told Extra during an interview in March 2020. “We were just saying the other day — we have never spent this much time together. But having this time without either of us working, being with the family … we’ve had this opportunity to be together, and the results are in: closer.”

Earlier this month, Jackman celebrated their anniversary by gushing about Furness on Instagram.

“Today I celebrate 26 years of marriage to my extraordinary wife,” Jackman captioned a selfie of him and Furness cuddling on a beach. “Every single day is filled with so much laughter, joy and backgammon!!!! Deb you light up my life. I love you with all my heart!”