The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100. — By Brian Raftery

Hugh Jackman

Host Hugh Jackman (C) performs his opening monologue during the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California

Gary Hershorn / Reuters

AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: Actor, Oscar host
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: With Oscar-telecast expectations at an all-time low, his all-singing, all-dancing, even-more-singing hosting gig managed to goose ratings, and almost rescued the show from its self-imposed torpidity.

CON: According to informal polls, not one person in the world actually saw Australia.

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