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Hugh Jackman was changed by children

Dec 6, 2012, 9:01 GMT

Hugh Jackman with son Oliver

Hugh Jackman says having children changed him forever.

The 'Les Miserables' actor - who has adopted children Oscar, 12, and Ava, seven, with wife Deborra-Lee Furness - believes taking on the care of a child gives a parent exactly the same bond as having a biological family and thinks parenthood has been one of the greatest 'gifts' he could ever receive.

He said: 'I am an adoptive parent and I can't imagine there being any difference of intensity in emotion to being a biological parent.

'It is certainly one of the great gifts and it changes you from the inside forever, so I can certainly relate.'

In 'Les Miserables', Hugh, 44, portrays ex-prisoner-turned-factory owner Valjean, who tries to help the poor as much as he can.

And the actor, who is backing the Global Poverty Project and is a partner in a fair trade coffee company Laughing Man, is hoping the role can make him a 'better person'.

He added in an interview with The Sun newspaper: 'Valjean is one of the great examples to follow. In no way do I really measure up to this man.

'But by playing him, hopefully it makes you a better person.

'Certainly in the book [which the film is based on], what he does with the factory is not just helping people out but also giving them life and purpose. That's why I started that coffee business because, to me, it is a way to provide employment. A successful business is good for everyone.'