Over the course of just three weeks, Hugh Jackman pulled in $857,740 for AIDS patient services, the most of any Broadway star who partook in an annual appeals campaign.
The Australian actor stars in "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway," accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra and a host of female dancers. Jackmans joined 52 other Broadway, Off Broadway and national touring companies to raise money for AIDS services through the 23rd annual "Gypsy of the Year" competition.
The event gives actors six weeks to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by soliciting the audience after the curtain drops, according to the competition's website. The nonprofit, a grant-making and fundraising organization, raises money to provide services for people suffering from AIDS.
This year's competition brought in an all-time high of $4,895,253 for the organization, the website reports.
"You have no idea how much sex I've been having," Jackson joked about his fundraising efforts on Tuesday at the New Amsterdam Theater, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Part of Jackman's tactics did have some sex appeal, though. He auctioned off the undershirts he wore during the show, which fetched more than $10,000, the news outlet reported.
Other top fundraisers included, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," which brought in $325,935 and "The Book of Mormon," which collected “$315,968.