'I was a fearful kid who felt powerless': Hugh Jackman compares his childhood self to Peter Pan... as he admits his parents split left him feeling 'volatile'

By Megan Pustetto For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:21 EST, 2 October 2015 | Updated: 17:19 EST, 2 October 2015

He is currently starring as Blackbeard in the new movie Pan, and it seems Hugh Jackman has something personal in common with the movie's protagonist.

Speaking to People magazine on Friday, the 46-year-old actor opened up about his painful childhood saying that just like Peter Pan, his mother walked out on him as a child.

Hugh also revealed that it had left him feeling 'volatile.'

'I was a fearful kid who felt powerless': Hugh Jackman opened up about his painful childhood on Friday saying that just like Peter Pan, his mother walked out on him as a child and he was left feeling 'volatile'

'From the moment Mum left, I was a fearful kid who felt powerless,' he admitted.

The Golden Globe winner also revealed that the heartbreaking experience had left him with an underlying anger problem, despite now being labelled as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood.

'My mum left when I was eight - My anger didn't really surface until I was 12 or 13,' he said.

'It was triggered because my parents were going to get reconciled and didn't - All those years I'd been holding out hope that they would,' he said.

'My anger didn't really surface until I was 12 or 13': Hugh, pictured with his mother Grace McNeil and daughter Ava, admitted it was a very hard time in his life

During the candid interview Hugh delved further into the effect his parent's turbulent relationship had on him growing up, saying that as he became a teenager the anger inside him reached a boiling point which he aptly described as a 'perfect storm of hormones and emotion.'

'I've never said this before: I just remembered that we had those metal [school] lockers, and for some reason, half in fun, we used to head-butt the lockers until there was a dent in them. Like, who was the toughest and craziest?'

Hugh eventually found a way to channel his anger through sports, and said that Rugby League helped him with his 'rage.'

'In playing rugby my rage would come out, rage that I identify as Wolverine rage. I'd be somewhere in a ruck in rugby, get punched in the face and I'd just go into a white rage.'

Honesty: The Golden Globe winner also revealed that the heartbreaking experience had left him with an underlying anger problem, despite now being labelled as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood

Opening up: During the candid interview Hugh delved further into the effect his parent's turbulent relationship had on him growing up

Hugh has previously spoke out about his anger before, revealing to the Daily Telegraph last month that he does still lose his temper from time to time.

‘I lose my temper very rarely and when I do I really feel miserable afterwards,’he told the publication.

However, the Australian star confessed that he is careful to never lose his temper with his wife of almost 20 years Deborra-Lee Furness, 59, or their two adopted children.

Saying he would rather tell his kids they are misbehaving than yell at them, he reveals that that over time he has learnt to control his emotions and exercise self-control.

'Perfect storm of hormones and emotion': Hugh also revealed that the heartbreaking experience had left him with an underlying anger problem, despite now being labelled as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood

Worked through it: Hugh claimed that as he became a teenager the anger inside him reached a boiling point which he aptly described as a 'perfect storm of hormones and emotion'

The Wolverine actor, who has earnt a reputation for being Mr Nice Guy over the years, says he remains as direct and easy-going as he’s always been and says he values kindness overall.

‘I have always valued the notion of being a gentleman and treating people with respect - I find it so much more enjoyable to try to embrace the kinder and gentler sides of one’s personality,’ he told the publication.

And Hugh credits his very proper father, an accountant who came to Australia in 1967 as a Ten Pound Pom, for instilling the strong values he has today within him.

Staying calm: The Australian star confessed that he is careful to never lose his temper with his wife of almost 20 years Deborra-Lee Furness, 59, or their two adopted children

Recently Hugh has recently been announced as the new ambassador for Australian airline Qantas, alongside Miranda Kerr.

The company's CEO Alan Joyce, who was at the helm of an unprecedented turnaround from a loss of $2.8 billion to a $557 million profit over the past 12 months, praised their latest famous face in a press release accompanying the news.

He said: 'Hugh represents everything that the world loves about Australians.'

Hugh has also been busy promoting his latest movie Pan and is also promoting his upcoming Broadway To Oz theatre show.

And Hugh credits his very proper father, an accountant who came to Australia in 1967 as a Ten Pound Pom, for instilling the strong values he has today within him.

The tour begins in Melbourne on November 24, at Rod Laver Arena before heading to Sydney's Qantas Credit Union Arena on November 30, with other dates planned. 

Shows will also continue in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

Meanwhile, Hugh and Debora will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in April.

The pair met in 1995 on the set of Australian TV crime drama Correlli, in which Deborah played the titular role.

Despite their fame the couple have managed to keep their private life fairly quiet over the years.

Latest venture: Hugh has also been busy promoting his latest movie Pan in which he will play Blackbeard in the Joe Wright directed film