Michael Fassbender thinks his success is "95 per cent luck".
The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ actor didn’t get his breakthrough role, in ‘Hunger’, until he was 31 years old, and he admits he is in a profession which relies very much on other people for opportunities to come along, so he always does his best with whatever comes his way.
He explained: "It’s about being in the right place at the right time. Ninety-five per cent is luck – meeting the right people.
"As actors we are very dependant on others to help us get to where we are. Where I’m at today wouldn’t have happened without a series of people who helped me along the way.
"You have to be awake to these encounters, too.
"With ‘Hunger’ I was very aware that I was getting an opportunity that might not come about again for maybe another seven years, 10 years, if at all.
"So I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and went for it. I focused and worked hard."
The 39-year-old actor has a number of values that are important to him when working, which he learned at a young age from his family.
He explained in an interview with The Red Bulletin magazine: "I just stick to the principles my parents gave me: if you are going to do a job, do it properly. Treat others as you would have yourself treated.
"Treat people with respect. Be honest. Keep things pretty simple, and don’t take yourself too seriously."
Michael initially wanted to be a musician, but gave up that dream when he realised he’d never be as good a guitarist as his friend.
He explained: "My original plan was to play guitar in a heavy metal band. I practised two hours a day, every day when I came home from school.
"And then my friend came around with his guitar one day and he blew me out of the room. I was like, ‘He’s got what it takes, I don’t.’ But around that same time I did some acting classes.
"Most of the things I was participating in at school, including sports, I was average at. But with this, I had an affinity with it. I felt I could express myself."
The full interview with Michael is available to read in the 13 December issue of The Red Bulletin.
Michael Fassbender’s lucky career
