United Kingdom, Feb. 19 -- Timothee Chalamet was "terrified" of acting after growing up in a New York City apartment.

The 29-year-old actor has reflected on his childhood in the Big Apple including a spell living in a rent-subsidised building in the Theatre District, where he saw a lot of up-and-coming performers struggling as they tried to make it in showbusiness.

Speaking to Anderson Cooper on '60 Seconds', he recalled: "This building truthfully made me scared of acting because it's a tough lifestyle and a lot of people aren't doing fantastically."

The host suggested growing up in that environment could "encourage" someone to pursue a career in the arts.

However, Chalamet added: "No, it actually terrified me of becoming an actor." ...