Simon Pegg credits the Mission: Impossible franchise for saving him from depression during his decade-spanning Hollywood career. The 55-year-old actor first joined Tom Cruise’s action series in Mission: Impossible III. He has since appeared in subsequent installments, including Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation.
Pegg’s involvement with the blockbuster franchise spans over 20 years. Reflecting back on his career, Pegg believes the routine life during filming Mission Impossible helped him battle mental health issues.
Simon Pegg credits Mission: Impossible for saving him
Actor Simon Pegg, who has been a longtime collaborator of Mission Impossible, said the action series left a lasting impact on his life. Pegg revealed he was “deeply unhappy” during the rising peak of his career when he booked his first Mission Impossible film.
The actor recalled his experience of being on the set “slightly hungover” and feeling “a little bit wired.” He added, “I remember not being particularly present, because I was so inside my own head that it was hard to actually relax and enjoy it” (via Variety).
Pegg was still on a “nihilistic, self-destructive impulse,” and the shooting went on. But things changed during the second Mission Impossible that he filmed, Ghost Protocol. The actor revealed that he had a “sober companion” for him who could look after him during the filming days.
The Star Trek star noted, “I felt very taken care of and felt valued, because they bothered to do that.” Tom Cruise personally helped Pegg in preparing for the movie. The actor revealed that Cruise told him, “You’re going to get in shape for this film — you’re an agent now!”
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol became Pegg’s turning point in dealing with depression. The Hot Fuzz star gushed, “I kind of found this joy in looking after myself and just realizing that if I ate well and went to the gym I could actually feel good.”
He confessed, “So I credit ‘Mission’ with rescuing me — because it gave me real focus at a time when I needed focus. And I just had the best time on ‘Ghost Protocol.’”
Additionally, Pegg’s Mission: Impossible role has also got him an award nomination. The acclaimed actor received a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor nod for his role in Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation (2015).
Originally reported by Arpita Adhya on ComingSoon.
