Bill Nighy almost quit acting: Love Actually star says he 'hated' his craft for years but 'couldn't think of anything else to do'
Bill Nighy has revealed he has considered quitting acting numerous times, because he 'hated' it for years.
In an honest interview with the Radio Times, the 68-year-old admitted he was 'so unhappy' he was driven to give up filming altogether, but could not think of another career path to pursue.
The star, best known for his work in Love Actually and the Underworld franchise, explained that while working on screen is 'not unpleasant', it is never fulfilling - and led him to feel incredibly self-conscious.
'The actual process is never satisfactory': Bill Nighy has revealed he has considered quitting acting numerous times, because he 'hated' it for years (pictured in October 2017)
He said: 'I thought of quitting, if not daily, then weekly. I was so unhappy. I just hated it, for years.'
Share this article
Revealing the perks that kept him going through his career struggle, he went on: 'It's not unpleasant all the time, and you work with great people and I am proud of some of the things I've done.
'You get a degree of satisfaction when it's over, but the actual process is never satisfactory.'
Iconic: Bill, who is best known for playing Billy Mack in Love Actually (above), said: 'I thought of quitting, if not daily, then weekly. I was so unhappy. I just hated it, for years'
Bill first rose to prominence as Mark Carleton in BBC's The Men's Room back in 1991, but shot to the heights of fame after playing ageing rock star Billy Mack in Love Actually twelve years later.
Despite portraying one of the best known characters in the rom-com world, the actor also revealed he can't bear to watch himself in anything on-screen.
He recalled the first and only time he did so: 'I tried when I was young and less complicated to look at, and it was bloody awful.
Cringe: Despite playing one of the best known characters in the rom-com world, he also revealed he can't bear to watch himself on-screen - deeming the experience 'bloody awful'
'I was third bank robber in Softly, Softly. I was staying in digs with some people – they were all crowded in the front room, and then I came on TV. I walked out, it was so terrible.
'I had a phoney accent, which was just not committed enough, and my hair, obviously. Oh!'
However, the State of Play star admitted he stuck his acting career out as he 'couldn't think of anything else to do' - and enjoyed the sense of pride after making a successful film.
Staying strong: However, the State of Play star admitted he stuck his acting career out as he 'couldn't think of anything else to do' - and enjoyed the sense of pride at making a good film
'I flunked school – not that that would prevent you from doing anything in life – but I didn't have any other ideas,' he added.
'I was deeply self-conscious, which you are supposed to be. Every actor is self conscious.'
The BAFTA winner has now been acting for more than 40 years, and is currently embarking on a completely new project - a live-action movie, Detective Pikachu.
Bill was spotted on set in London earlier this month, but his role in the Pokemon flick has been kept tightly under wraps by producers.
Confused: He said of his career struggle: 'I didn't have any other ideas. I was deeply self-conscious, which you are supposed to be. Every actor is self conscious'
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bill will join a whole galaxy of stars for the movie including: Justice Smith, Ryan Reynolds, Big Little Lies' Kathryn Newton, Rita Ora and Suki Waterhouse.
It will chart the story of teenager Tim Goodman (Smith) who joins forces with Detective Pikachu (Reynolds) to hunt down his kidnapped dad.
The unconventional action role is no doubt a welcome part for Bill, who recently confessed the difficulties of portraying romance to an audience.
He said last year: ‘It’s always a good day when you don’t have to be romantic. Even when I was young and eligible for such parts I used to hate doing them.
‘As someone who didn’t feel attractive or at all charming, I just felt exposed. I used to hate having to be the object of desire.’
Next up: The BAFTA winner has now been acting for more than 40 years, and is currently embarking on a completely new project - a live-action movie, Detective Pikachu
Most watched News videos
- Man crashes motorcycle doing tricks to impress people in Mexico
- WARNING: Armed assassin executes lawyer inside his office
- Video shows taxi driver dump passenger on pavement after argument
- Alan Jones shuts down female panellist during fiery Q&A debate
- Horrifying moment banned driver runs over six-year-old girl
- US soldier surprises daughter at her high school graduation
- CCTV shows woman in Cheshire stealing cash from kid's wallet
- Shocking CCTV shows homeless man beaten outside sandwich bar
- Two men arrested after video shows man urinating on boy's memorial
- Huawei P30 Pro users demonstrates the 50X superzoom
- What a day for a garden party! Queen smiles talking to guests
- Moment biker thinks he has found his buddy’s stolen dirt bike
