When it comes to the dominant hand, this world often views using your right hand as being right. With up to 90% of the population being right-handed, it is a surprise, and sometimes confusing, to see others – never mind celebrities – use the hand you do not favor. So when you are someone as well known as Hugh Jackman, is it the left or right hand that you put in for the hokey pokey?
Hugh Jackman is left-handed. Being left-handed is linked to being more creative and possibly having a higher level of intelligence. Even though the left takes preference in real life, Hugh has been known to play right-handed people in his career as an actor.
The great debate about the ‘stronger hand,’ children being forced to change their favored hand in school, and the dreaded ink smudges aren’t reserved for regular folk. Let’s find out how being left-handed has impacted Hugh’s life and career.
Is Hugh Jackman A Righty Or A Lefty?
Hugh Jackman is left-handed. When you discover that left-handedness is linked to higher creativity, this is no surprise when you see how talented Hugh is. From singing to dancing and from acting to producing, Mr. Jackman does it all.
Hugh’s left-handedness has been displayed for the world to see on several occasions. While playing James Howlett, better known as Wolverine, in X-Men, Hugh is seen picking up chopsticks with his left hand. In addition, Hugh is often spotted signing autographs with his left hand.
How Does Being Left-Handed Impact Hugh Jackman?
When it comes to being left-handed in a right-handed world, the brain adapts to being flexible in your day-to-day life. Whether it is writing in spiral notebooks, using a pen at the bank, trying to open a can, or just cutting a piece of paper, the world caters to the right hand.
The majority of actors who do fall into the left-handed minority are often seen playing right-handed characters. This dates back to the Greek times when those who were left-handed were considered sinister or evil. Psychologically speaking, being right-handed on film shows the viewer that you are a ‘good guy.’
Hugh has not been impacted on set when it comes to his dominant hand. Whichever hand the role calls for is the hand that is used, and there are some times when it is left up to him to decide. Hugh has played iconic characters in his years on screen, and his preference for left or right has not had any say in the matter.
Which Other Celebrities Are Left-Handed?
In the 21st century, it is a lot easier to be a lefty and it is way more accepted. From stars like singer Justin Bieber to old Hollywood great Goldie Hawn, let’s take a look at a few celebs who are in the left-handed portion of the population.
Former President of the United States Barack Obama is left-handed. When signing his very first executive order he is quoted saying “That’s right, I’m a lefty. Get used to it.” Surprisingly, Barack is not the only president that has been in the strong hand minority. He is joining former presidents Ford, Reagan, and none other than George H.W Bush in the left-handed leader club!
Known as the world’s richest woman for the longest time, Oprah Winfrey proves that dominant hands have nothing to do with success. Being part of the lefty club, Oprah had her start as a talk show host and then moved on to acting and producing. Just another example of the lefty creativity in action!
Hugh’s fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman joins this list of lefties. The most notable actress to play a right-handed character, Nicole learned how to write perfectly using her non-dominant hand for her role in ‘The Hours’ where she starred as author Virginia Woolf, who happens to be very much right-handed.
The iconic Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow is another lefty. Both the actress and her character are left-handed, and in true conforming fashion, Lisa plays the guitar in a right-handed way as this is easier than restringing the guitar upside down to suit her dominant hand.