Physically Fit in Middle Age } Jackman Wolverine in XMan

The hunky Wolverine actor was seen playing with his children on a Barcelona beach this week, running and frolicking in the water like a true action hero.

Ripped: Hugh Jackman looked in tip-top condition on the beach in Barcelona yesterday

The Australian A-lister, who today announced he will host the Tropfest short film festival in New York this weekend, looked in top form on the sands.

Wearing only black board shorts, the 43-year-old bared his ripped torso and famously muscled arms.

The doting dad was clearly enjoying the downtime with his two children, 12-year-old Oscar and daughter Eva, six. 

He has said on many occasions that one of his favorite things in the world is spending time with them.

Hugh played with Oscar and Eva in the breaking waves, looking every bit the action hero as he swam, ran and jumped in the surf with the children.

Oscar wore red board shorts, while little Eva wore a red-and-white striped bikini.

The kids looked to be having a ball, and were clearly right at home in the surf.

The Wolverine actor has said he enjoys nothing better than spending time with his kids 

Jackman, whose career took off with his role of Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise, and who won a Tony Award for his stage role in The Boy From Oz, has had a hectic schedule of late.

After his four-month shoot for Les Mis wrapped earlier this month, Jackman took to the stage just over a week ago to accept a special Tony for his contributions to Broadway.

The award also recognised his charity work.

  

In the upcoming Les Misérables, which is scheduled for release in December, Jackman plays Jean Valjean as both convict and reformed businessman.

Anne Hathaway plays Fantine and Russell Crowe plays the vengeful Inspector Javert.

Also in the star-studded cast is Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thénardier and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier.

Next up for the in-demand actor is the next installment of the X-Men series, called simply The Wolverine.

With an estimated $80m budget, the movie was originally slated to appear in cinemas around the world this summer, but the production has had a rough ride.

The director originally attached to the movie, Black Swan's Darren Aronofsky, left the production and the Japanese tsunami led to further production delays.

20th Century Fox now says The Wolverine will appear in summer 2013.

Action hero: It's been more than a decade since Jackman was first cast as

 Wolverine in X-Men, but the 43-year-old actor is looking as ripped as ever