Colin Farrell admits his passion for acting was "toxic" for seven years.
The 37-year-old actor earned himself a bad reputation in Hollywood from 2000 until 2006 due to his wild behaviour, and he claims the high level of fame that came his way during that period "diluted" his love of performing.
He said: "I was removed from the amount of passion and curiosity that I had about acting.
"Maybe that passion and curiosity got diluted or a little bit toxic due to the amount of success and fame that came my way."
The Irish hunk admits he was shocked when he discovered people were still supporting and showing a fondness towards him during and after that difficult point in his career.
He explained: "I know that people rooted for me during those wild years, and that was lovely to discover after the fact."
However, eight years on, Colin - who has sons James, 10, and Henry, four, from two previous relationships - has returned to smaller movie roles and insists he couldn't be happier.
He told the Irish Post newspaper: "After 'Miami Vice' [in 2006], some big films went away from me. But that was kind of okay because I had other work lined up that provided an opportunity for me to go back to the more simplistic elements of what I was trying to do, which were the elements I fell in love with."

Lea Michele says Cory Monteith made her feel like a "Queen every day".
The 'Glee' star was left devastated when her boyfriend - who she dated for two years - died from an accidental drug and alcohol overdose last July, but she insists the actor made her feel special the whole time they were a couple.
She said: "Cory made me feel like a Queen every day. From the minute he said, 'I'm your boyfriend,' I loved every day, and I thank him for being the best boyfriend and making me feel so beautiful."
The 'Cannonball' singer, who met Cory on the set of 'Glee' back in 2009, only has positive thoughts about the late star - who had checked into rehab on two separate occasions throughout his life - and she insists his personality wasn't ruled by his addiction.
She explained in the April edition of Seventeen magazine: "I only have happy memories of Cory. He was not his addiction--unfortunately, it won. But that wasn't who he was."
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old star is determined to live her life the best she can without Cory, who died aged 31, but wants to ensure his memory lives on.
She said: "I try my best to march forth and live my life as best as I can for me. I also feel an incredible, happy responsibility to keep the memory and light of [Cory, who] was the most amazing person. I'm so happy to make it my journey now to continue on and live my life as best as I can."

Scarlett Johansson's pregnancy could delay filming for 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'.
The 29-year-old actress is reportedly due to welcome her first child into the world with her fiancé Romain Dauriac, 31, in August, but shooting for her upcoming movie, which kicks off on April 5, may need to be re-scheduled to fit around her growing baby bump.
The blonde beauty plays Natasha Romanoff in the superhero film, which sees her squeeze into a figure-hugging catsuit and bosses are reportedly keen to shoot her scenes as soon as possible.
A source told E! News: "Shooting for the superhero sequel will need a bit of rearranging. They're going to fast-track her scenes."
Meanwhile, Scarlett and Romain's baby news comes just six months after the French creative agency boss popped the question with a vintage Art Deco ring last year.
However, the 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' star has previously said she and Romain don't want to "rush" tying the knot as "being engaged is an exciting time to enjoy and to really savour."
This marriage will be Scarlett's second after she married actor Ryan Reynolds in 2008, before divorcing him in July 2011.

Khloe Kardashian is reportedly demanding a lie to detector test to find the person who stole jewellery from her formal marital home. The reality TV star is determined to find out who snatched the precious jewels from her mansion in Tarzana, Los Angel...

Zac Efron took his sober coach to the Oscars.
The 26-year-old actor underwent a stint in rehab early last year, allegedly because abusing alcohol and painkiller Oxycodone, and ensured he wasn't tempted at Sunday's (02.03.14) glitzy extravaganza by having his companion by his side at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
A source told RadarOnline.com: "Zac had a sober coach with him the entire time he was at Dolby to monitor what he was doing and to make sure he didn't partake in any substances like drugs or alcohol.
"The coach was there to escort him to the bathroom or backstage, anywhere he needed to be where temptation might arise."
The 'That Awkward Moment' actor - who was seen wearing a blue Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) chip, marking six months of sobriety in December - is said to have skipped the afterparties in favour of a quiet night back at home.
Zac recently proclaimed he is feeling better than ever after his stint in rehab.
He said: ''I'm so happy. I feel like I'm in a great place and I'm glad that I'm really here to share this moment with everybody and be present for all of it.
''It was an interesting year. I learned so many things. So much. The best part of it was being able to reflect upon that experience and realise how much I have learned about myself and the kind of man I want to be.''

Hayden Panettiere is "overwhelmed" at the thought of her wedding day.
The 'Nashville' actress hasn't yet started planning her nuptials to Wladimir Klitschko - who she got engaged to in October - but she is nervous because she thinks going down the aisle will be such an opposite experience to walking the red carpet.
She explained to Brides magazine: "When eyes have been on me in the past, it's been because of an event, where people see me as a persona, as Hayden Panettiere the actress.
"For the aisle, you're the purest, most emotionally stripped down version of yourself, sharing this raw moment with the most important people in your life. It seems very overwhelming!"
The 24-year-old star says her boxer beau popped the question in a "very sweet and simple and genuine" way.
She added: "It wasn't about being overwhelmed by fireworks or a mariachi band.
"I think it's amazing when people do that, but I like that mine was simple and from the heart."
And though she insisted she hasn't started planning her wedding yet, Hayden offered a small tease about her big day.
She said: "I love colour, so that will play a big part."

Witnesses in Oscar Pistorius' trial have claimed they heard "petrifying" screams on the night of Reeva Steenkamp's death.
The double-amputee Paralympian's murder trial continued today (04.03.14) in South Africa as his defense attorney tried to discredit witness Michelle Burger's emotional testimony, after the neighbour said she awoke to hear four gun shots and pleas for help.
Pistorius is accused of shooting his girlfriend Reeva through the bathroom door at his Pretoria home on the night of February 14, but the London 2012 gold medallist insists he mistook her for an intruder.
According to CNN, defense attorney Barry Roux attacked her credibility, pointing out the exact similarities between her and her husband's statement.
Breaking down into tears, Michelle said: "It was awful to hear her screams", insisting their statements were similar because they had heard the same thing.
Her husband, Carl Peter Johnson, was then called to the stand and backed up her comments.
He recalled: "When I heard the lady scream again I jumped out of bed and ran to the balcony which is on the first floor ... I could hear she was in trouble, it was clearly distress calls."
Another visibly-nervous witness, neighbour Estelle Van Der Merwe, recalled hearing "loud voices" and a sound like "bang, bang".
June Steenkamp, the model and reality star's mother, was in the courtroom for Monday's (03.03.14) testimony, which was the first time she had seen the athlete in person.
It is expected to take at least three weeks for Judge Thokozile Matilda Masipa to hear the case. Pistorius could face life imprisonment if he is found guilty of killing Reeva in cold blood.

Bobby Brown didn't know his daughter Bobbi Kristina got married.
The singer's daughter - who he had with the late Whitney Houston - secretly married her fiancé Nick Gordon last month despite controversy over their unconventional relationship, since Nick was raised as her brother when the late superstar took him into her home 12 years ago.
However, her dad has denied knowledge of the nuptials between the two.
Bobby was quizzed on the wedding and told gossip website TMZ: "No, she didn't get married."
He added: "If she says she is. I don't know about it."
Bobbi and Nick hope to prove the sceptics wrong and plan to celebrate their commitment to one another for a second time with a big wedding later this year.
Bobbi previously said: "The criticism of our relationship only made us stronger. It lit a fire under our ass. We are officially married now but our wedding was just very low-key. But I can say that we're planning a big wedding later this year.
"It's going to be very royal, classic and beautiful - just a phenomenal ceremony. We're going for the full fairytale."

Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine have reportedly found a new nanny for young Prince George.
The couple are thought to have recruited a new child-minder to look after their tot after their current nanny Jessie Webb, 71, who previously looked after William when he was a child, gave notice last month.
According to US website The Daily Beast, the new nanny is a young English woman in her twenties who is well connected within royal society and "established" with the family at Kensington Palace.
Seven-month-old George will accompany William, 31, and Catherine, 32, during their 19-day royal visit to Australia and New Zealand next month.
Royal press secretary Miguel Head appeared to confirm the recruitment of a new nanny in an itinerary for the trip, which was released to media recently.
The release reads: "The party is similar in size to recent overseas visits undertaken by Their Royal Highnesses. It consists of me and the Duchess's Private Secretary, Rebecca Deacon, three press officers, a Tour Secretary, a Personal Assistant, a Hairdresser and an Orderly to help manage the logistics. Sir David Manning will also accompany Their Royal Highnesses throughout. A new addition to the party is, of course, Prince George's nanny."
William, Catherine and George will visit Australia and New Zealand between April 7 and April 25.
Among the activities the royal couple will enjoy include a game of cricket and yacht racing.

Ricky Gervais has announced two new David Brent concerts.
The comedian will take to the stage as his fictional 'The Office' character, cringe-inducing office manager David Brent, at London's Hammersmith Apollo and Oxford New Theatre this May.
Demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale this Friday (07.03.14) at 9am since tickets for Ricky's first ever musical shows last October sold out within 60 seconds of going on sale.
The 52-year-old comedian performed as David Brent & Foregone Conclusion at London's Bloomsbury Theatre and Bristol's Colston Hall, with a backing band including former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.
Future gigs were hinted at earlier this year by the musician, and the duo were said to be working on a humorous concept album together.
A source previously said: "Ricky has written nearly all the material himself but he wanted a helping hand with some specific tracks. He and Andy first met in 2008 on 'The Jonathan Ross Show' and they have stayed in touch ever since.
"Although Ricky's performances are all slightly cringe-worthy, they are extremely tongue-in-cheek and actually, lyrically, very clever. Andy was keen to get involved in the new album as soon as the idea was put to him."
The actor revived his hapless, wannabe rock star alter-ego last year for a 'Comic Relief' sketch.

Courtney Love has announced UK tour dates.
The 49-year-old singer hasn't played in Britain since Hole - which she formed in 1989 with Eric Erlandson - toured in 2010 and has thanked fans for their "patience" before announcing the eight dates on which she'll take to the stage in May.
She wrote on Facebook: "UK, Thanks for your patience! Here we go!!!"
The blonde beauty will kick off the series of gigs with two shows at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 11 and 12 before taking to the stage in Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Nottingham and will be supported by White Miles on all dates.
The tour comes after Courtney, who struggled with drug addiction in the past, admitted she wants a "second chance" after seeing how stars including 'Sherlock Holmes' actor Robert Downey Jr. and 'Orange is the New Black' actress Natasha Lyonne have put their problems behind them to enjoy further career success.
She previously said: "Listen, if Natasha Lyonne can burn down a house and Robert can go to prison for two years, I deserve a second chance. I know there is hope for me."

Courtney's tour dates are as follows:

London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - May 11, 12
Manchester Academy - May 13
Glasgow O2 Academy - May 15
Leeds O2 Academy - May 16
Birmingham O2 Academy - May 18
Bristol O2 Academy - May 19
Nottingham Rock City - May 20

Michael Wilkinson is thrilled but scared about designing the perfect Wonder Woman outfit.
The famed designer is working on a costume for the 'Man of Steel' sequel - tipped as 'Batman vs Superman' - and claims his extensive research into the character is helping him create the "right" outfit, but admits he wants the classic superhero to appeal to modern audiences.
Wilkinson - who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on 'American Hustle' - told TheWrap.com: "It's a thrilling and slightly scary process of course. It's so important to get her right. She really deserves to be presented on screen.
"I look at how the characters going to be presented on the big screen and on comic books and on graphic novels.
"We process that all and then we work out what is best for our film and we try and create a Wonder Woman who is modern and relevant for today's audiences."
Gal Gadot is set to play the superhero in Warner Bros.' forthcoming film and Wilkinson claims it's likely the 'Fast and Furious' star will wear a gladiator inspired outfit.
He mused: "I mean, you just have to look at the gladiators from ancient Rome; they did their thing in little loincloths, and a spear and a shield. It works for Thor, it works for 300 - so let's see what happens."
The film will see Wonder Woman take a central role on screen for the first time since the famed 70s TV series.