Aaron Taylor-Johnson was "pretty self-destructive" before meeting his wife.
The 25-year-old actor - who has daughters Wylda, three, and Romy, two, with 47-year-old wife Sam Taylor-Johnson - admits he did a lot of "crazy s**t" and lived "on the edge" but credits the filmmaker, who he met on the set of 2009 movie 'Nowhere Boy', for turning his life around.
He told Nylon Guys magazine: "It was a lot of crazy s**t I got up to for a couple years.
"I was pretty self-destructive at one point. I used to smoke 30 [cigarettes] a day, used to f***ing drink nonstop. I've always been able to be on the f***ing edge -- be on the line, but then pull myself back..."
And the British star used to pretend to be American when he went for auditions, only revealing his true background afterwards.
He added: "[There were] some interesting movies but a lot of TV. A lot of Nickelodeon bulls**t.
"It was kind of like learning how to pull. It was like, how do you go into a bar and point out the fittest girl and then just go, 'I'll have her by the end of the night?'
"I was at that age where that was kind of...I stopped when I met Sam."
These days, the 'Godzilla' actor - who is also stepfather to sixteen-year-old Angelica and eight-year-old Jessie, from Sam's previous marriage - is more content hanging out with his children than in bars.
He said: "I love the f***ing music class. I'm the only dad there. It's, like, mums and nannies. And you're clapping your hands. You're singing more than the kids are."

Natalie Anderson has a big storyline coming up.
The 'Emmerdale' actress has teased some game-changing events for her alter-ego Alicia Metcalfe over the next few months on the ITV show, which will show off her bold and brassy character's funny side.
She told the Daily Star newspaper "I've been very busy filming over the last month. As always we are filming quite a few weeks ahead and I can't give away too many details.
"But I can say that it's very funny - which has been so lovely as the last year for my character Alicia has been very dramatic. I've been working with my fantastic onscreen family - which, to be quite honest, doesn't feel like work at all as we have so much fun together."
The 32-year-old star has been nominated for soap's sexiest female at next month's British Soap Awards, up against the likes of Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter, EastEnders' Shona McGarty and fan favourite 'Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan, who has won the title for five years in a row.
Natalie previously said: "It's incredibly flattering to be nominated again, although I do feel like an old nana. We've had such a brilliant year and I'd be so upset if 'Emmerdale' didn't win a few more awards."

'Britain's Got Talent' contestant Lucy Kay supported Susan Boyle on tour last year.
The opera singer wowed judges - Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden - with her remarkable vocals on the opening show last weekend, but she failed to mention she had performed four dates in Scotland last year, prior to applying for the talent contest, as part of 2009 runner-up Susan's choir.
At the time, Lucy - who won a scholarship at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study music - shared pictures on her Twitter account of her performing with Susan, of her dressing room and a final snap of the official music sheet.
However, yesterday (15.04.14), Lucy denied she had been secretive about her past ventures.
She told The Sun newspaper: "I've never hidden the fact that I supported Susan Boyle as part of a choir last year. It's one of the things that inspired me to apply for 'Britain's Got Talent' and to pursue my dream of a solo career."
An ITV spokesman added: "Lucy was part of a 30-strong choir who supported Susan for four Scottish concerts last year, arranged by her music college in Glasgow.
"Lucy went through the same audition process as all the other acts and none of the judging panel had seen or knew of Lucy before her audition."
Meanwhile, Lucy has faced backlash from viewers for using a "sob story" to win votes after she revealed on the show that she had been targeted by bullies in the past.

Diversity have lost touch with Simon Cowell.
The dance act, who rose to fame after winning 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2009, are still in touch with other acts from the talent show but admit they don't see much of the show's boss.
Group member Jordan Banjo told BANG Showbiz: "In our year there was Flawless, another dance act, and we see them from time to time, they're really cool guys. It's really cool to see everyone from our year still going and still doing really well.
"[But] we don't see Simon Cowell that much. I'm going to be honest, he doesn't just pop out for lunch with us, but anytime we do see him he still says he loves what we do and he really enjoys it [watching us perform]."
Jordan feels the group were lucky to be able to make a difference to the UK street-dance scene and make money from their talent, as well as have support from family and friends during their time on the show.
Asked if he would give any advice to this year's contestants, he said: "There's certain times that there's going to be a lot of pressure. I think if you're a solo act in a show like 'Britain's Got Talent' it's always going to be really, really difficult.
"If I had any advice it's just to make sure your friends and family are around you and just do what you do best."
Diversity will be performing at UK Live, headlined by McBusted, in Weston-super-Mare on Saturday, June 28, and in Ipswich on Sunday, June 29. Visit uklive.co.uk for tickets, including combined packages for both days.

Alan Titchmarsh has shrugged off claims he copied Paul O'Grady's talk show ideas.
The 58-year-old comedian lashed out at the TV gardener recently stating that he and his team snatched 'The Paul O'Grady Show's structure, but Alan has since hit back, insisting the comments made him "smile".
Alan told The Sun newspaper: "I don't know where that came from but it made me smile.
"How a show is structured is entirely down to the producers, I just go on and do my job. Good luck to him.
"I don't bear him any animosity, but I don't know why he got so hot under the collar about it. If you can't say anything nice about someone don't say anything at all."
Meanwhile, Alan, 64, recently announced he is quitting his daytime chat show 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' after seven years on the popular programme because he doesn't want to die young and miss out on his grandchildren growing up.
He said previously: "My dad died at 62 and I've outlived him. I just thought, 'Pace yourself, sunshine, don't go at it like a bull at a gate'.
"I'll never stop completely because I'd be bored rigid. But I think I should just ease up as I'd like to be around to see my grandchildren for quite a while."
The final series of 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show', which airs weekdays on ITV, will be filmed later this year.

Jaden Smith will play a dress-wearing slave in a new movie. The 15-year-old actor - who is the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith - has signed up to star in 'The Good Lord Bird' alongside 'Ray Donovan' star Liev Schreiber, reports deadline.com. ...

Andrew Garfield feels "more confident" in spandex.
The 30-year-old actor reprises his role as the famed comic book character in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' and insists the blue and red costume he wears helps him to feel more like his heroic alter-ego.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I actually had more confidence for the second film because Spider-Man is more confident.
"When Peter puts on Spandex, he gets to save people's lives. When he's just Peter, he's got to deal with being just Peter. It's the same with me."
Although he was forbidden from taking his character's outfit for a keepsake he managed to smuggle the tight jumpsuit by hiding it in his suitcase.
When asked if movie bosses allow him to keep the infamous outfits after filming, he previously said: "You know what, they don't, but I may have stolen one and it may be in my luggage, it may be in my hotel room luggage. It may even be in my back pack in the car. It's possible."
Garfield - who has been dating his co-star Emma Stone for the past three years - also admits he goes a little "crazy" when he isn't busy acting.
He added: "When I'm not being creative and acting, I have to deal with myself and I go a bit crazy. If I was going through what I'm going through now when I was 16, I probably would have ended up in jail."

Peter Gabriel has hinted at a possible Genesis reunion.
The 64-year-old singer, who hasn't performed with the band since 1982, believes there's a "small chance" he could reform with the group as the frontman in the future.
Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, he said: "I never say never. It really didn't happen last time. I think there's a small chance, but I don't think it's very high."
Meanwhile, Peter is currently working on first studio album of original songs since his 2002 record hit 'Up', but he admits the process has been slow as he gets "distracted" easily.
When asked how his album is going, he explained: "Slowly, as it usually goes for me. I get distracted. But I have technology and a few benefit projects at the moment that keep me going. I'm itching to get back to more writing."
Last week, the veteran singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Brooklyn, New York, and he believes receiving awards forces him to think back on his past.
He explained: "Getting awards is nature's way of saying you're getting old, so you can get a little more reflective. There are very few good things about getting old except you care less about what people think."

AC/DC's Malcolm Young is "too sick" to perform live with the band anymore.
The 61-year-old guitarist, who founded the Australian rock group with his brother Angus in the 1970s, is said to be seriously ill, sparking rumours the band could split after 41 years.
In an interview with Australia's ABC radio, Choirboys frontman Mark Gable, who is close friends with Malcolm and Angus, said: "From what I understand, and it's even been confirmed in part by his son Ross, that it would appear Malcolm is unable to perform anymore
"It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious. It will constitute that he definitely won't be able to perform live.
"He will probably not be able to record."
He claims the band could still continue with plans for their 40th anniversary world tour and go on to record their first album since 2008's 'Black Ice' without Malcolm, after his nephew Stevie took his place during a past tour.
Mark explained: "There was speculation that they had this even tacit agreement that if no member currently was able to perform, DC would cease.
"However, Alex Young's son Stevie replaced Malcolm Young a few years back for a tour, and nobody knew the difference."
Mark has been close friends with AC/DC, also made up of singer Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, for a number of years after the Choirboys recording their first album in the same studio where the 'Whole Lotta Rosie' hitmakers worked on their first five records.
Regarding a world tour, Brian previously said: "It's been 40 years of the band's existence, so I think we're gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty."
The rock legends were also due to head back into the studio next month.

Britain's Prince Harry has been invited to sit on the front row at the Victoria's Secret fashion show later this year.
The lingerie brand, which is modelled by "Victoria's Angels", is set to bring its legendary annual catwalk show to London for the first time later this year, and veteran angel Adriana Lima announced at a press conference that she'd like to invite the flame-haired royal.
She said: "We're pretty excited to be here today because we have this great announcement to make.
"The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is the biggest fashion event in the world, for sure, and we're very proud and honoured to announce that we are headed to London this year. Yes!
"I'd like to invite Prince Harry, if he would like to come. He definitely has a front row seat!"
The event has been held in cities including Cannes, Los Angeles, Miami and New York in the past but as it's been confirmed for the Prince's hometown the models hope he will make an appearance.
The 29-year-old royal is currently dating former dance student Cressida Bonas and although there have been rumours of an impending engagement, it was suggested recently that she may not be the right woman for him.
A source told E! Online: "They [Harry's family and friends] think she's too carefree and would find it difficult to live with the protocol that comes with the job, which of course it is. It might be too much of a constraint for her."

Eve will get married in Ibiza this summer. The 35-year-old rapper is planning to tie the knot with Gumball 3000 founder Maximillion Cooper in June at the Blue Marlin club, a nightspot frequented by stars including Kate Moss, Sylvester Stallone and Leo...

Drake has bought Rihanna a $42,000 ring.
The 'From Time' rapper, who is reportedly dating the 'Unapologetic' singer, has splashed out on the yellow diamond, although it is not believed to be an engagement ring.
A source told The Daily Star newspaper: "Rihanna was delighted with the gift.
"She has accepted it as a token of Drake's love. He's now even changing his schedule to spend as much time as possible with her.
"It's all getting increasingly serious between them."
The 'Stay' hitmaker, 26, and the 27-year-old star have been "inseparable" in recent weeks and Rihanna hopes he will ask her to start looking at properties soon so they can plan to move in together.
The loved-up pair have been dating exclusively for a number of weeks, following a brief fling in 2009, after Rihanna's split from ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.
The pair were photographed holding hands in London and embraced after Drake's performance at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday night (13.04.14).
A source said: "Rihanna immediately ran to Drake, jumped into his arms and planted a fat kiss on his lips."