United Kingdom, May 13 -- Simon Pegg has revealed how 'Mission: Impossible' saved him from "nihilistic, self-destructive" behaviour.

The 55-year-old actor - who joined Tom Cruise on set in the iconic action movie franchise in 2006 - admitted despite dreaming of a role in a Hollywood blockbuster, he was "deeply unhappy at the time".

He told Variety: "What I was ultimately dealing with was depression, which I was trying to manage by anaesthetising myself.

"It was less of being alcoholic, more being dependent on the sensation."

The 'Hot Fuzz' and 'Shaun of the Dead' star recalled being "hungover" for his first day on set with Tom.

He said: "[I was] slightly hungover and feeling a little bit wired .

I remember not being particularly pre...