Sam on Connie's death: 'I have to hold it together'

Australian actor Samuel Johnson is trying his best to stay strong as he grieves the death of his sister Connie following her long and public battle with cancer.

Speaking to TV Week magazine, the 38-year-old Gold Logie winner says "I have to hold it together" following his sibling's funeral held in Canberra last week.

Samuel, who co-founded the Love Your Sister campaign with Connie, explains he now needs to take a break to grieve privately, but will then return to continuing his sister's legacy as soon as he's up to it.

"I just want to lie in a paddock, look at the clouds, put my iPod on and listen to my Connie songs - just grieve in my own way," he told the publication following the private funeral held in Canberra last week.

Sam put his acting career on hold last year to be able to dedicate himself full-time to his and Connie’s charity, Love Your Sister.

He is now determined to stay away from acting till he reaches his goal of raising $10 million, and says his duty to commit to the cause is more important than ever before.

"I'm determined to not screw it up," he says.

RELATED: Samuel Johnson prepares for Connie's funeral
RELATED: Connie Johnson's final message

Connie, who is survived by her husband and two sons, was remembered at a private service in Canberra on September 18 after passing away on September 8.

A public memorial was held in Melbourne on Saturday.

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram