‘Mission: Impossible’ actor Simon Pegg has opened up on how the franchise “rescued” him from his personal struggles.
Simon Pegg has revealed how ‘Mission: Impossible’ saved him from “nihilistic, self-destructive” behaviour.
The 55-year-old actor – who joined Tom Cruise on set in the iconic action movie franchise in 2006 – admitted despite dreaming of a role in a Hollywood blockbuster, he was “deeply unhappy at the time”.
He told Variety: “What I was ultimately dealing with was depression, which I was trying to manage by anaesthetising myself.
“It was less of being alcoholic, more being dependent on the sensation.”
The ‘Hot Fuzz’ and ‘Shaun of the Dead’ star recalled being “hungover” for his first day on set with Tom.
He said: “[I was] slightly hungover and feeling a little bit wired …
I remember not being particularly present, because I was so inside my own head that it was hard to actually relax and enjoy it.”
Once he got back from the shoot, he headed straight for the hotel bar in what he described as a “nihilistic, self-destructive impulse”.
However, his second outing in the franchise – for 2011’s ‘Ghost Protocol’ – helepd him start to overcome his personal struggles.
He had a greater role for that film, while the previous movie’s director J.J. Abrams and his successor Brad Bird – and the production team – were aware of his battles of screen.
He recalled: “They had a sober companion for me — and just really looked after me.
“I felt very taken care of and felt valued, because they bothered to do that.”
It was a turning point for Simon, and gave him something to “focus” on when he needed it the most.
He added: “I kind of found this joy in looking after myself and just realizing that if I ate well and went to the gym I could actually feel good.
“So I credit ‘Mission’ with rescuing me — because it gave me real focus at a time when I needed focus. And I just had the best time on ‘Ghost Protocol.’ ”
Simon Pegg admits Mission: Impossible saved him from ‘self-destructive’ battles
