Cooper Johns’ famous father Matty is known for his hilarious antics off the footy field.
And his son has detailed a ruthless prank the former NRL star pulled on Hollywood legend Hugh Jackman during the height of his fame.
Recounting the story on KIIS FM’s Kyle & Jackie O Show on Friday morning, Cooper revealed his father’s connection with the Australian actor.
Matty, 52, used to work with radio personality Gus Worland, who is best friends with Hugh, on Triple M’s Grill Team.
Gus and Hugh have been buddies since they were five years old in the early 1970s and went to the same primary school together.
Cooper Johns has detailed a ruthless prank his dad Matty pulled on Hollywood legend Hugh Jackman during the height of his fame
Matty (centre left) used to work with radio personality Gus Worland (far left), who is best friends with Hugh (far right), on Triple M’s Grill Team. Pictured with Mark Geyer (centre right)
Cooper, 24, explained how Matty and Hugh ‘used to have a lot to do with each other’ due to Hugh’s connection with his radio co-host.
‘We were at a restaurant one night and Hugh was sitting across [the restaurant] and dad went up and said, “Mate, would you mind coming over. I’m over there sitting with my family. The kids would love it. They’d get such a kick out of it if you came over and make me look like a big deal. Like, they’d look up to me”,’ he said, noting the prank occurred when Hugh was known for his Wolverine role.
But 10 minutes after Matty approached the Greatest Showman star, he turned the tables on him and left Hugh red-faced.
’10 minutes later Hugh comes up and he goes, “Matty, how are you going, mate? You here with the kids? How you are going, boys?” And dad stitched him up,’ Cooper continued.
‘He looked back and he said, “Hugh, sorry, if you don’t mind. I’m trying to have dinner with my family. Just come up when we’re done eating out meals”.’
Hugh and Gus’ friendship began at school in the early 1970’s when they were both only five-years-old
Cooper said Hugh, 55, was very apologetic before calling the prank a ‘power move’.
Hugh and Gus have been inseparable since childhood, enjoying a fruitful mateship for nearly five decades.
In an interview with Stellar from 2021, Gus revealed that if he hasn’t heard from his best friend for a few days, he’ll send him a voice message to see what he’s been up to.
The radio host said the replies he usually gets from Jackman often amount to something along the lines of ‘I’ve been busy preparing to host the Oscars’.
Meanwhile, Hugh recently opened up about his friendship with Ryan Reynolds following his split from wife Deborra Lee-Furness.
The Wolverine star told People how he considers Ryan to be one of his closest friends as he recovers from his separation from his wife after 27 years of marriage.
Hugh also said they had become completely trusting of one another over the years.
He stated: ‘There’s probably fewer friends in our life that you can say anything to, the stuff you’re ashamed, embarrassed, anything.’
‘You can tell me anything and I can tell you anything, and I don’t feel like you’re going to be judging or necessarily giving me the answer,’ Hugh added.
Ryan also compared their connection to a marriage and said ‘long-lasting Hollywood friendship is not too dissimilar to having a partner or a marriage.’
Hugh announced his shock split from his Deborra-Lee in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated ‘to pursue our individual growth’.
Hugh (left) recently opened up about his friendship with Ryan Reynolds (right) following his split from wife Deborra Lee-Furness
The Wolverine star told People how he considers Ryan to be one of his closest friends as he recovers from his separation from his wife after 27 years of marriage
He shares two adopted children – son Oscar, 24, and daughter Ava, 18, – with his former wife.
‘We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,’ the couple said in a statement to People.
‘Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.
‘Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.’
The couple had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995.
An insider previously told ET that there ‘is no animosity’ between the exes.
‘Hugh and Deborra-Lee are both on different pages and in separate chapters of their lives,’ they said.
‘They felt like it was time to divorce, but they still maintain a happy and cordial friendship.’
The source went on to say that Hugh and Deborra-Lee are ‘appreciative of their many years together and children.’
‘At the end of the day, it was their collective agreement to go their separate ways and do the healthiest thing for everyone involved,’ they added.
Hugh announced his shock split from wife Deborra-Lee in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated ‘to pursue our individual growth’
