Jerry Seinfeld encouraged Hugh Jackman to retire from playing Wolverine.

The 46-year-old actor - who has starred as the mutant Logan in the Marvel franchise since 2000 - recently confirmed he's giving up playing the character and confessed comedian Jerry Seinfeld inspired him to turn his back on the iconic role.

Hugh credits the 61-year-old actor for encouraging him to give up the part after sharing his own experiences leaving his eponymous sitcom 'Seinfeld' after nine years in 1998.

He said during an appearance on US chat show 'Live! with Kelly and Michael' on Tuesday (09.06.15): ''I was having a chat with him about a year ago at his birthday and he was talking about why he finished the end of [Seinfeld] and how it was riding high.

''And he said he just always had this feeling or belief that you never know when either your energy or the audience's energy is going to dip over and people are like, 'Please! Go!' ''

''I've been doing it for 17 years, I love it. I think the movies are getting better. And all of the sudden, as he was talking to me, I went, 'This is it.' ''

However, the Australian born star will be appearing in 'Wolverine 3' in 2017 after confirming the much-anticipated movie will be the last time he plays the character.