Hugh Jackman sheds tears in 60 Minutes interview over losing mum

AUSTRALIAN actor Hugh Jackman has broken down in tears in a candid TV interview where he revealed the last time he saw his mother as a child.

AUSTRALIAN actor Hugh Jackman has broken down in tears in a candid TV interview where he revealed the last time he saw his mother as a child.

Jackman, 44, who has been portrayed as a tough guy on the big screen in hit Hollywood movies such as Wolverine and X-Men, was promoting his new film Les Miserables on 60 Minutes in the US when he became emotional.

The actor was talking about growing up without a mother for the most part of his youth in Sydney.

Hugh Jackman breaks down

As the youngest of five children, Jackman recalled the last time he saw his mother as a child at age 8, telling 60 Minutes:

"I can remember the morning she left, it’s weird the things you pick up. I remember her being in a towel around her head and saying goodbye, must have been the way she said goodbye.

"As I went off to school, when I came back, there was no one there in the house," he said.

"The next day there was a telegram from England, Mum was there. And then that was it.

"I don't think she thought for a second it would be forever. I think she thought it was, 'I just need to get away, and I'll come back.' Dad used to pray every night that Mum would come back."

The cast of Les Miserables

The actor shed tears while he talked about the profound impact that his father has had on his life.

"My father is a rock. My father is my rock. It's where I learned everything about loyalty, dependability, being there day in, day out, no matter what.... It's always about the family," he said.

"It's always, 'How's Deb?' It's not about work. And I think that's him living with probably some of his regrets.

"And feelings of maybe he at the wrong time put too much in his career.

"And he doesn't want me to make me that mistake. In his gentle way, he always reminds me this the most important thing."

Jackman's revealing interview comes as his new movie Les Miserables is expected to be in the running for an Oscar.