United Kingdom, Nov. 30 -- Adam Sandler became an actor because he wanted to be famous.

The 59-year-old actor admitted when he first started his comedy career he was keen to get attention in the way Eddie Murphy had, but his priorities eventually shifted and doing good work began to matter more.

He told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: "As a kid I 100 per cent wanted to be famous.

"When I was 17 and got into stand-up I wanted what Eddie Murphy had - walking down a street, people going, 'My God!' That would let friends at school and your parents know you had made it, and that was my first goal.

"So yes, I wanted fame, but a couple of years in you also want to be good. And that becomes the goal."

Adam - who has daughters Sunny, 19, a...