New York, New York – James McAvoy is one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, but his rise to the top has been anything but easy. In a new interview, the star broke his silence about the bullying he once endured on set.
During an appearance on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, the 47‑year‑old opened up about his past and discussed his successful career.
True to the saying "the first step is always the hardest," McAvoy also had to fight for his place in Hollywood.
He broke through in show business in 2001 with the drama series Band of Brothers. At just 22, McAvoy stepped in front of the camera – without knowing what lay ahead.
He never expected that a fellow actor would make his entry into the industry so difficult. In conversation with Cohen, the Split actor admitted that, at the start of filming, he was harassed by a co-star.
Besides loud laughter, the person repeatedly pointed a finger at McAvoy. The bully also allegedly urged his friends to join in the harassment of McAvoy, citing his larger role in the drama series as a possible reason.
"I had a scene. And all these guys were in it for nine months, 10 months, and they get one line in one episode, and one line 10 episodes later," he explained. "They were all pissed. I come in for one episode, and I've got an arc and scenes. I’ve got tons of lines."
The fact remains that the torment never held McAvoy back – today, he's a staple of the film industry.
By the time he landed his leading role as Robbie Turner in the hit movie Atonement, he was no longer an unknown in Hollywood.
Together with his co‑star Keira Knightley, the Scotsman conquered theaters worldwide in 2007.