Notoriously private actor Joel Edgerton reveals his struggle with anxiety and how it has left him ‘terrified’ of attending his own film premieres
Joel Edgerton has candidly discussed his battle with anxiety and how it has left him ‘terrified’ of attending his own film premieres.
The notoriously private actor opened up about the condition, which has affected him from his 20s, while speaking to the ABC’s Australian Story on Monday night.
‘I’m someone who suffers from anxiety and I know most of the time it is pretty mild for me,’ the 46-year-old revealed.
Candid: On Monday, notoriously private actor Joel Edgerton (pictured) revealed his struggle with anxiety while speaking to the ABC’s Australian Story
‘A lot of that… had to do with being scrutinised and not handling it well and not handling big crowds very well,’ he added.
Joel further admitted that it meant he didn’t always cope well at glitzy Hollywood red carpet premieres.
‘Just going to the premiere of a movie and I know everyone thinks this is glamorous, but it’s sort of terrifying,’ he revealed.
‘I’m someone who suffers from anxiety and I know most of the time it is pretty mild for me,’ the 46-year-old revealed, except for when he is big crowds
Despite his struggle, The Great Gatsby star admitted he believes his anxiety helped him land his first on-screen gig in the hit 90s drama Police Rescue.
‘I think I got the job on Police Rescue as my character was extremely panicked and anxious and that’s how I felt going to the audition,’ he said.
‘So they probably thought I was just acting really well,’ he added with a laugh.
Fears: Joel further admitted that his fear of crowds meant he didn’t always cope well at glitzy Hollywood red carpet premieres. ‘Just going to the premiere of a movie and I know everyone thinks this is glamorous but it’s sort of terrifying,’ he revealed
Since his debut on the ABC drama in 1995, Joel’s career has flourished.
He has had starring roles in Hollywood blockbusters, including Star Wars, Zero Dark Thirty and Red Sparrow.
And the hit filmmaker firmly credits his family with helping to keep him grounded.
‘There were points in my 20s when things were going well and I could have easily have done things to destroy that…. without the immense love of my family,’ he explained.
Flashback: Despite his struggles, Joel believes his anxiety helped him land his first on-screen gig in the hit 90s drama Police Rescue (pictured). ‘I think I got the job on Police Rescue as my character was extremely panicked and anxious and that’s how I felt going to the audition. So they probably thought I was just acting really well,’ he said with a laugh
The ruggedly handsome actor is currently sheltering at home his home in Bondi with girlfriend Christina Centenera during the coronavirus pandemic.
Joel and the Australian Vogue fashion director debuted their romance at GQ Australia’s Man of the Year Awards in Sydney on November 14, 2018.
Part 2 of Joel’s Australian Story will air on the ABC at 8pm next Monday.
Loved up: Joel debuted his romance with Vogue Australia’s fashion director Christine Centenera (pictured) at GQ Australia’s Man of the Year Awards in Sydney on November 14, 2018