Wednesday marks a big day for media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who turns 95 on 11 March – and like any billionaire businessman, his birthday celebrations were marked with a star-studded surprise from a Hollywood A-lister (and fellow Australian) on Saturday.
Song Sung Blue and Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman was in attendance and marked the occasion with a special musical performance, singing renditions of The Greatest Showman, Fly Me to the Moon, New York, New York and I Still Call Australia Home, according to People.
The party also featured a video message from US President Donald Trump, while his daughter Ivanka reportedly cheered Hugh on from the crowd.
Speaking to Variety in 2018, Hugh said of his friendship with Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner: "I've known those guys for 15 years and we don't talk politics at birthday parties."
A star-studded party
It was a star-studded affair at The Grill in Midtown Manhattan, where Rupert celebrated with his wife Elena Zhukova, 69, whom he married in 2024.
© News CorpRupert is the father of six children – Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace and Chloe. While Lachlan, Grace and Chloe were in attendance, Prudence, Elisabeth and James were reportedly absent.
The family have been involved in a long-running dispute over the succession of the Murdoch family trust, which concluded in September and will see Lachlan, 54, take over the Murdoch empire, which includes The Times, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News and The New York Post.
© WireImageHow did Hugh Jackman and Rupert Murdoch meet?
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hugh revealed that he first met the News Corp owner in "a family situation" with his friend and fellow Australian Nicole Kidman.
"Wendi [Deng, Rupert's third wife] and Nicole Kidman were very good friends," he said. "It was Nicole's birthday, and we all went to Soho House in New York, and we were in the pool. He was holding his daughter, and I was holding my son, and we became friends."
© WireImageHugh added that Rupert enjoys surrounding himself with friends and family. "A lot of people in his life are there for a long time," he continued. "He looks after them and appreciates them. He's very caring and thoughtful and incredibly respectful of everybody around him."
