Hugh Jackman Breaks Down Discussing Mother’s Abandonment

These days Hugh Jackman is everywhere promoting his new film Les Miserables, which may see him sing and dance his way to the Oscars early next year. However, an unexpected moment came during his press tour when the actor sat down to speak with 60 Minutes.

The Australian actor broke down in tears during his segment while talking about growing up without a mother, and the strength of his father. The interview offered a very intimate and rare look at Jackman, and what it was like to grow up without a mother for the most part of his youth in Sydney.

Growing up 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. The next day there was a telegram from England, Mom 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 Mom would come back.”

The actor grew even more emotional while discussing how it was to be raised by his brave father, who raised the five children:

“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. 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.”

Watch the video below:

Are you surprised by Hugh Jackman’s omission about his youth?