Hugh Jackman’s unforgettable sleepover with Neil Diamond

Hugh Jackman recently shared a story that sounds straight out of a movie, and it all started with a phone call from music legend Neil Diamond.

The Aussie actor, who stars in the upcoming film Song Sung Blue (in cinemas Jan 1), revealed that not only did he meet the Sweet Caroline singer, but he also stayed the night at his Colorado home, and yes, there was karaoke involved!

Hugh plays Mike Sardina, one-half of a Neil Diamond tribute duo called Lightning & Thunder, in the new film. At a special screening in New York City, he explained how the incredible encounter came about.

After seeing the movie, Neil was so moved that he called Hugh personally. “He was crying,” Hugh said, adding that the story meant a lot to Diamond and his wife. “He’s never given his catalog to a movie before, he just loved everything about Mike and Claire’s story.”

Hugh seized the moment: “I took the opportunity on that phone call to invite myself over for a cup of tea,” he laughed. “Neil said, ‘Okay… we live in Colorado.’ I said, ‘No problem.’ Then he goes, ‘So you wanna stay the night?’ I said, ‘Great!’”

And what a night it was! Hugh and Neil sang karaoke at dinner, including Sweet Caroline, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and of course I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. “I don’t know if he knew I was in it or not,” Hugh joked.

Co-star Kate Hudson also got to meet Neil, sharing that she grew up near him in Colorado but had never crossed paths until now. She visited his home earlier in the year, enjoying lemonade on the porch and swapping stories.

Song Sung Blue arrives in NZ cinemas on January 1, and if the behind-the-scenes stories are anything to go by, this film is going to be something special.