Australian actor Hugh Jackman has said persistent rumors that he's gay bother his wife.

In a cover story with The Hollywood Reporter, Jackman, 44, discusses meeting his wife of 16 years, Deborra-Lee Furness.

“She was very beautiful,” he said. “She was unbelievably fun – this energy, this spirit – irrepressible. And she had a confidence in herself. I had a massive crush on her instantly.”

“Just recently, it bugs her,” he said of the rumors, blaming the Internet. “She goes: 'It's big. It's everywhere!'”

X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner denied the rumors.

“I have seen him with Deborra since the beginning of their trip to Hollywood, and I've been on five movie sets with him and have never seen him stray, have never seem him eye anyone,” he said. “I met him when he did Oklahoma! [at London's Royal National Theatre in 1999]. He was genuine, hugely talented. He was in love with his wife that day and still is.”

Jackman made light of the situation during a 2009 interview with Barbara Walters.

“Peter Allen has a great line,” Jackman said. “He goes, 'I know what you're thinking. You're just sitting there looking at me, and thinking, is he or isn't he? Well, it's true. I am Australian.'”