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Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman stunned fellow actor Hugh Jackman when she donated $100,000 for a hat Jackman’s character wears in Broadway's The Music Man to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Kidman and Jackman have been friends for decades and co-starred in fellow Aussie director Baz Luhrmann's 2008 box-office bomb Australia. But the moment she offered $100,000 to the charity likely unlocked a new chapter in their friendship.
A video Jackman posted to Twitter shows that the crowd burst into uproarious applause and gave Kidman a standing ovation before she walked to the edge of the stage to hug a stunned Jackman.
You can see the video below.
\u201cThe generosity emanating from #NicoleKidman leaves me speechless! You ARE amazing. Thank you for your friendship and support! @MusicManBway @NicholastheWard @BCEFA\u201d— Hugh Jackman (@Hugh Jackman) 1669550587
Before receiving the hat, Kidman took the stage and said:
“I love Broadway, I love what they do ― Broadway Cares, but I also want to say, the show is extraordinary."
Jackman took the mic as Kidman returned to her seat and told the audience that the generous gift is not out of character for the actress:
“I’ve known Nic for almost 30 years. I’ve worked with her, I can tell you this is not a surprise."
“She’s one of the most generous souls I know.”
The footage of the moment quickly went viral and warmed the hearts of many theatergoers.
\u201cIt\u2019s moments and people like this that restore my faith in humanity. \ud83d\udc9b #NicoleKidman #HughJackman\u201d— Ana Laura \ud83c\udf44\ud83e\udd43\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7\ud83e\uddc1 (@Ana Laura \ud83c\udf44\ud83e\udd43\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf7\ud83e\uddc1) 1669638174
\u201cSupporting BCEFA feels good in a place like this.\u201d— Maxwell \u201cSwell\u201d Haddad \ud83d\udd4e \ud83c\udf84 (@Maxwell \u201cSwell\u201d Haddad \ud83d\udd4e \ud83c\udf84) 1669584013
\u201cI would\u2019ve been the first one to stand up\u201d— samanthamcfarland (@samanthamcfarland) 1669595180
\u201cShe's walking down that aisle because she went to that place for magic. She went to laugh, to cry, to donate 100k to Broadway Cares.\u201d— Justin (@Justin) 1669577016
\u201cAmazing!!!\u201d— Scott Saia (@Scott Saia) 1669588542
\u201cWay to human!\u201d— Andrew Staton (@Andrew Staton) 1669651947
\u201cThis gives me goosebumps WOW god bless Nicole Kidman\u201d— \u2728matthew\u2728 (@\u2728matthew\u2728) 1669581657
\u201cBe like Nicole Kidman! \ud83d\udc99\ud83d\ude4f\u201d— jennifer evans \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8 (@jennifer evans \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8) 1669600030
\u201cThis is so heartwarming! Kidman is a beacon!\u201d— YourWildeFleur (@YourWildeFleur) 1669575435
The theatre community's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States.
The organization has raised over $300 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, and other critical illnesses since its founding in 1988. It also stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising a record $18.1 million in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020.
Kidman has for many years donated money in service to the performing arts. In 2004, Kidman was honored as a "Citizen of the World" by the United Nations (UN) for her work as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, a post she's held since 1994.