Hollywood heart-throb Hugh Jackman has become the first Australian to be crowned `Sexiest Man Alive` by People magazine, it was announced on Wednesday.

Jackman, 40, who stars alongside Nicole Kidman in Baz Luhrmann`s sweeping epic `Australia` due for release in the United States next week, beat out a slew of rivals including Javier Bardem, David Beckham and Daniel Craig.

People described Jackman on its website as a 6ft 2in brawny triple threat who can `sing, dance, and wield a weapon.`

Screen siren and co-star Kidman was quoted as saying that Jackman left people stammering: `Oh ... My ... God.`

`Women`s jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room,` Kidman added of Jackman, who has been married to Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness, for 12 years.

Jackman told People his wife had joked with him after being informed of the accolade. `God bless her, she said, `I could`ve told them that years ago!` And then she said, `Obviously, Brad (Pitt) wasn`t available this year.``

Jackman is best known for his role as Wolverine in the trio of successful Hollywood films based on the `X-Men` comic book series.

He also starred as Vampire hunter in the `Van Helsing` films and has completed filming on `X-Men` spin-off Wolverine.