The Inspiring True Story Behind Hugh Jackman's New Film, Eddie the Eagle

Nearly every movie is made more fascinating when you find out that it's based on a true story, and Eddie the Eagle is no exception. Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman are starring in the sports drama, opening on Friday. The film revolves around Eddie Edwards, the British skier who became a media sensation during the 1988 Olympic Games. Eddie the Eagle is just one of the many movies inspired by real events to premiere this year, and there are definitely differences between the real story and the film. Case in point: Hugh Jackman's character didn't actually exist! Check it out, and find out what you can learn from Eddie the Eagle.

Image Source: 20th Century Fox

Eddie Edwards was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1963. He picked up skiing at age 13 and four years later, he was skiing with the British national team. However, skiing with the most impressive team in the UK didn't automatically make him a shoo-in for the Olympics. He was heavier than a lot of his competitors, and he worse glasses as thick as wooden coasters. He ran out of money attempting to qualify as a downhill skier in the 1984 games. "I didn't have much money, so thought I'd better find something cheaper to do," Edwards told The Guardian. "I went along to the ski jumps and thought: 'That looks alright.'"

Edwards was on a mission to become an Olympic athlete, and he famously toured the European ski circuit in his mother's car. He used skis given to him by the Austrian team and a helmet from the Italians and wore six pairs of socks to fit into his oversize hand-me-down boots. He was straight-up broke, and in between training, he would babysit and mow lawns to earn cash. At one point, he broke his jaw, but with no money to cover medical bills, he just tied his head up with a pillowcase. At the end of his tour, he was sleeping in a mental hospital in Finland for £1 a night — that's where he learned he had qualified for the Olympic team.

Image Source: Getty

Edwards competed at the Calgary games in 1988. By this time, he was a household name in the UK, a true underdog for the people. Members of the media were more interested in him than practially any of the frontrunners. Unfortunately, he came in last, jumping a mere 55 meters on both of his turns. Edwards remained optimistic about his career, even as critics were tearing him down for making a mockery of the Olympics. Here's one of his jumps.

While Edwards attempted to qualify for several of the following Olympic Games, he never qualified again. He did, however, become a worldwide sensation. He appeared on The Tonight Show, landed a sponsorship deal with Eagle Airlines, and for a while, his face was on pins, t-shirts, and all kind of merchandise. He even recorded a couple of songs, one called "Fly Eddie Fly." As of last year, Edwards is living a quiet life in the UK town of Woodchester with his wife and two daughters.