Jamie Bell doesn’t think he’d be an actor if he was only just beginning his career.
The 28-year-old actor – who was cast in the title role in ‘Billy Elliot’ when he was just 13 years old – thinks starting out so young has given him a freedom in his career as he never had any preconceptions about fame or Hollywood that "scared him off".
He explained: "To be honest with you, I can’t imagine just coming into the business now. I’d be terrified and it would probably scare me off.
"I wonder if coming in so young and not having those preconceived ideas of being an actor or working in Hollywood or being a celebrity — which obviously are all part of the business, part of the industry — if not having those things as a child just allows you to pursue things without any … maybe without any forethought! [Laughs.]
I’ve always done things without a second thought; like, if it’s something that I want to do, I do it. There isn’t a feeling of, ‘How’s this gonna look, what happens if it doesn’t work?’ "
The ‘Turn’ star – who has a nine-month-old son with wife Evan Rachel Wood – is astonished his career has continued for so long.
He added to New York magazine: "I thank my lucky stars daily that I’m even still working. Because I didn’t see that coming."
If he hadn’t become an actor, Jamie thinks he would have been a gardener because of his love of the outdoors.
He said: "I think I probably would be a gardener or something. I’d have to be outside. Couldn’t be inside."
Jamie Bell wouldn’t begin career now
