Los Angeles, Dec 21 (IANS): Hollywood star Hugh Jackman called himself 'a hot mess' while filming 'The Son'.

The 54-year-old actor joins Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, and Sir Anthony Hopkins in the new drama film, and Hugh has admitted to struggling throughout the shoot, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"I certainly realised how vulnerable I was," explained the Hollywood star - who plays a successful lawyer with a teenage son who is suffering from depression.

The actor said that the movie's subject matter and the return to work following Covid-19 lockdowns caused him to experience "anxiety". The actor's troubles were compounded by the death of his dad Christopher, who died in September 2021.

Explaining why he didn't take any time off to grieve his dad's death, Hugh told the BBC, "My father actually never missed a day of work in his life. I did imagine what my father would say and he would say, 'Go to work'."

Jackman actually suffered sleepless nights throughout the shoot and he continues to see a therapist. The actor is now encouraging other people to seek help if they're experiencing similar issues.

He said, "There's a little part of the old school part of my brain (that thinks), 'Well, that's up to you to work out'. If you need to go to a doctor, for whatever reason, your foot, your mental health, you know, you work that out."

"But I think it certainly would be a sign from an employer that we understand taking care of the whole person, not just paying them, but taking care of their wellbeing in all forms is really, really important."

Jackman actually believes that mental health issues need to be spoken about more openly. He said, "There is a real lack of knowledge and ignorance and shame around the subject and I think it's something we need to confront, really, really quickly."