Jack O'Connell reveals he used to sleep rough on park benches
He's a down-to-earth lad from Derby who has become a Hollywood star and Jack O'Connell has spoken about his struggle to make it to the top.
In an interview with ES magazine, the 25-year-old talked about sleeping rough on park benches and his family threatening to sell stories on him as he admits his life has changed completely.
The actor, who has also starred in the likes of hit TV show Skins and crime film Starred Up, also worked alongside Angelina Jolie after being cast in her Second World War film Unbroken.
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Struggle: Jack McConnell talked about sleeping rough on park benches and his family threatening to sell stories on him in a new interview - he attended the Money Monsters photocall in Cannes on Thursday (pictured)
He said: 'My whole life’s different. I can’t live the life I grew up living. I used to enjoy going to the football, being around ordinary folk, or so-called ordinary folk, and family get-togethers.
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Share'Now even they’re difficult. If I go to certain dos every f***er in there’s gonna want a photo.'
Jack said he gave his last pennies to get his dream career in acting and would go to any lengths to make sure he could audition.
He said: 'My whole life’s different. I can’t live the life I grew up living. I used to enjoy going to the football, being around ordinary folk, or so-called ordinary folk, and family get-togethers'
His latest offering, Money Monster, sees him starring alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberst and on Thursday he joined them for a photocall in Cannes.
He said: 'After Skins, if I was ever auditioning and missed the last train home, I knew I had to do an all-nighter.
'So it was either stay up at the numerous nocturnal venues in the city or get some shut-eye on a park bench. I had money for the train fare and that was it.'
But now certain members of his family have disappointed him with their behaviour.
He continued: 'There’s a lot of assumptions made [when he visits his home]. People assume that I’m wealthy beyond belief – and I ain’t. I still need to work for a living.
'I have family members come out with claims, trying to threaten that they’re going to go to the newspapers about me…
'Where it becomes intrusive is that if somebody’s giving me a hard time and I feel like I’m in a position where I have to defend myself, I can’t do that either.
'I have to get punched in the head and walk away.'
He's made it: Jack has made a firm friend in Angelina Jolie and even took her to his local pub in Derby - he added that he lost two stone for his role in Unbroken and believes his kidneys are now damaged
But Jack has made a firm friend in Angelina Jolie and even took her to his local pub in Derby.
He said: 'She wanted to meet my people. We all went to this place out of the way in Derbyshire, a pub where you can eat nice food.
'She came up on her own, man. She has some security people but they weren’t really involved and, yeah, we were all just sat around.'
But working alongside her in Unbroken, Jack suspects he has done some permanent damage to his body.
He said: 'I think I damaged myself, man. I feel like my kidneys are a bit f***ed up.
'The thing is, I don’t want to bad-mouth anyone, but… getting to a point where you’re ready for the film, they’ll help you with all day long.
Hard-hitting: He became a household name when he starred as James Cook in E4 drama Skins
'Getting yourself back to normal again, that’s considered your responsibility.'
Following his recent success, Jack told the publication he is keen to remain grounded and won't be changing for anyone, anytime soon.
He said: 'Whenever I go to LA, people tell me I should get my teeth done. Unless they want theirs f***ing rearranging as well I suggest they keep their mouth shut.
'My teeth are my teeth and I’ll be f***ed if I’m ever going to do a job on them just to serve their purposes.
'Well f***’em anyway [laughs]. I’m not Hollywood. There’s not a bit of me that ever wants to consider myself ‘Hollywood.'
He also said: 'Whenever I go to LA, people tell me I should get my teeth done. Unless they want theirs f***ing rearranging as well I suggest they keep their mouth shut'
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