Austin Butler wiped away a tear as he took a moment to remember his late mother on SNL (Picture: NBC)

Austin Butler had Saturday Night Live viewers in tears as he paid an emotional tribute to his late mother in his opening monologue.

The Elvis actor, 31, hosted the long-standing sketch show on December 17 where he kicked off proceedings by recalling fond childhood memories and how his mum, Lori, helped him to overcome his nervousness, before talking about his voice.

Austin revealed that he was home-schooled by her and they would enjoy sitting down to watch the famous NBC series together.

‘I love my mum,’ he said. ‘Some of my favourite memories from growing up are she and I would watch SNL together.

‘We’d watch it every week and even though I had this crippling’s shyness when I was with her, I would do anything to make my mum laugh. I would make funny faces and voices and I would even do this ridiculous Gollum impression.’

The actor spent time talking about his childhood and how his mum helped him to overcome his shyness (Picture: NBC)

He continued: ‘Being silly with her was what broke me out of my shell as the core of what started me in acting.’

‘Now, my mum is no longer with us,’ Austin went on while taking a pause to compose himself.

‘But, I’ve been thinking about her a lot this week imagining how proud she would be that her son, who used to not even be able to order food for myself at a restaurant is now standing on this stage.

‘And tonight, just know that whenever you see my doing a silly voice or making a funny face, that’s for you mum.’

Austin’s mum Lori died from cancer when he was just 23 (Picture: Instagram)

Viewers over the globe were in bits by Austin’s tribute, with many sharing that they were in tears.

‘The best SNL monologues are always the most personal,’ wrote one. ‘Austin Butler brought it home tonight. When I tell you I cried… I sobbed.’

Echoing a similar sentiment, another penned: ‘That really hits hard. I wish his mother had been there to see him, but no doubt she is proud of him.

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‘It’s also so beautiful to hear about how he transformed from a painfully shy kid into the actor he is today. The creative arts can truly heal in many ways.’

A third said: ‘Austin Butler’s SNL monologue making me cry wasn’t on my Bingo card.’

Austin’s mother Lori, who worked as an aesthetician, died in 2014 after a battle with cancer. He was just 23 at the time.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays on NBC in the US.

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Austin’s mum died in 2014.