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Woman Arrested For Stalking Hugh Jackman In West Village

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Superstar Hugh Jackman has battled all sorts of villains in the movies, but he said a run-in with an accused stalker in the West Village was frightening.

As CBS 2's Dana Tyler reported, the stalker – Kathleen Thurston, 47 – appeared in court in Manhattan Sunday afternoon. She remained silent after the hearing, but police said she had plenty to say Saturday morning when she confronted Jackman outside his gym – telling him she loved him and asking if they were going to get married.

Jackman is a regular at the Gotham Gym, 600 Washington St., which features a picture of the movie star wearing one of its sweat shirts on its Facebook page. He is known for his fit physique in his X-Men movies – soon to be seen in this summer's "Wolverine."

When he was working out at the gym on Saturday, Thurston allegedly ran past the front desk, crying and shouting that she loved the actor, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.

"It was frightening," Jackman told D'Auria.

Police said Jackman tried to defuse the situation with the stalker. He told Thurston not to touch him.

But police said she followed crying and screaming. A gym employee grabbed Thurston, but not before she pulled an electric razor filled with hair out of her waistband and tossed it at Jackman.

Published reports said the hair was pubic hair.

"Here's a woman who obviously needs help so I just hope she gets the help she needs," Jackman said.

Woman Arrested For Stalking Hugh Jackman In West Village

Security finally succeeded in ejecting Thurston from the gym.

The actor was uninjured.

"I suppose for me, the primary concern is my family, obviously," Jackman told D'Auria.

Thurston was arrested a few blocks from the gym and charged with stalking.

Kathleen Thurston
Kathleen Thurston was charged with stalking after allegedly confronting Hugh Jackman and throwing a hairy razor at him outside his gym. (Credit: CBS 2)

This was not the first time Jackman has had a run-in with the woman. Jackman has reportedly seen the woman outside his daughter's school and outside his home.

People in the neighborhood wished Jackman's family well.

"They are very nice, him and his wife. They're just really nice," said neighbor Donna Horowitz. "I can't say enough."

"You hate to see it happen," added Cliff Sloane. "Unfortunately, it's a hazard of the trade."

"He always walks by with the kids," said Michael Siegel. "He just wants to be like everyone, you know? He wants to live a life just like we all do."

Thurston was arraigned Sunday, and was unable to make bail, police said. She was charged with stalking in the fourth degree.

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