Blockbuster Oscar-Nominated Hollywood Star Confesses He Wanted to 'Punch' Female Co-Star — Branding it a 'Horrible Attitude'

In an interview with The Times, Pearce said: "I've many feelings about that show.

"In the old days you were either a theater actor or a film actor, and if you got stuck in a soap you were the lowest of the low — but what an opportunity.

"I had no clue what I was doing but learned a lot. That said, it really was frowned upon."

While revealing details about one actress' attitude towards soap operas, he said: "I did a play a year after I left, and this snobby actress said, 'How could you even do that?'

"I wanted to punch her! Now, obviously, I didn't punch her. But it was such a horrible attitude."

Pearce added: "And then, five years later, I saw her on some s--- ad on TV. I so wanted to go and find her and say, 'OK...'"

But despite the luck he has had during his career, he explained he uses "an instinctual response" to help navigate his work choices.

He said: "For story, character, director. But I probably only do 5% of what I read — I start every script hoping it will be another LA Confidential, that feeling you’ve been sucked into a vortex. But a lot of times, by page 20, I think, 'Ah, damn.' "

The actor has also appeared in films like Memento, Lockout, Brimstone, and The Hurt Locker.