From working at a farm to taking up a bartending job while studying, Canadian actor Diego Klattenhoff says his journey into the world of glamour was not easy, and it was never meant to be.
He doesn't look back at his journey with any regret and feels all the nights he spent "clearing out the trash or dealing with drunk people" were worth it.
"I mean it is never easy (the journey). You have a goal in mind and that is the whole part of adventure... But you never know where it is going to take you. (I think) all those nights of cleaning up trash and dealing with drunk people was worth it," Klattenhoff told IANS over phone from New York.
Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Klattenhoff spent his childhood in a rural neighbourhood working on farms. He moved to Toronto when he was 19 and started to work towards his acting ambition.
The actor asserts that it is easy to get wrapped up in the "superficial" world of glamour. Staying true to your roots is the key to escape it.
"It (key to survive) comes down to who you are, how you were raised and what your ideals are... I grew up in the country and spent a lot of time doing whatever work I could find. I grew up working in a farm and then worked in the woods.
"It is a trip though. Don't get me wrong... There are a lot of good things down there too... Just like anywhere there are a lot of great people."
He took up a bartending job while attending theatre workshops, and slowly made his way to Hollywood. He is best known as Shane Oman in hit "Mean Girls", and then went on grab attention with projects like "Pacific Rim", "Ice Princess" and "After Earth".
Klattenhoff made it big on the small screen with shows like Homeland and The Blacklist, which is aired in India on Star World and Star World HD.
Homeland -- the story of action-filled spy life woven with the thrills of political drama -- made him a household name. The 37-year-old actor says Homeland, which also featured Indian actress Nimrat Kaur, was an "amazing ride".
"It didn't hurt to have a show that a lot of people are watching and to be on people's radar. It was an amazing ride on 'Homeland' and couldn't have been better.
"It is funny I was talking to David Harewood (British actor), who was in 'Homeland' (about the impact the show had on their careers). He is in Supergirl now... We were catching up few months ago about the experience of doing that show and where it has taken us."
A quick search will highlight several reports on Klattenhoff's professional life and work, but none about his family life.
Ask him how he guards his personal life and Klattenhoff just laughs off the question.
And just then his publicist intervenes with a reminder that the interview will be over soon and "now will be a good time to ask any other question" about his work.
Taking the focus back on the work front, Klattenhoff is on a hiatus at the moment, and plans to be back soon.
"I am on a hiatus right now. We had few close calls but the schedule didn't work out but I am happy and enjoying my time off. It is going to be a short little break and then will be back soon," he said.