What I've learnt: Andy Serkis

The actor on being addicted to work, living for the moment and doing the school run

ANDY Serkis, 47, the world's foremost performance-capture actor, has played substantial roles in some of the biggest movies of all time, such as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong in Peter Jackson's 2005 remake of the 1933 classic and Caesar, the leading ape in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Married to actress Lorraine Ashbourne, he lives in London with their three children.

In his latest film, The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, he plays Captain Haddock.

So much of my work has been done with computer markers on my face and body, and using computer- generated images, that my wife gets recognised on the street while I don't. She's done several television hit series, such as Playing the Field, so it's inevitable, really, and I really don't mind. It also means I can travel on public transport and not be recognised.

I have so many different kinds of projects on the go, which is the right thing to do if you are not visibly famous. Just get on with it and be pleased that you have other people's confidence in you.

It's important not to do similar things on the trot. It's really important to break things up and put yourself under the microscope in different ways.

Acting was a lucky accident. I was forced to choose a subsidiary course during my first year at university, and I chose drama and loved it.

It would be impossible to live the life I lead as an actor without my wife being in the same business. She understands the ups and downs of the job. Everything can turn on a sixpence in this business.

I'm addicted to my work but I really miss being at home. Quickly in this performing business you realise that your family life is everything. I love to do films made in the UK and come home to my own bed. I might be an air miles millionaire, but when all's said and done I love to come home and do the school run and be part of the community.

Life taught me to live for the moment. One mustn't get hung up with things you're not in control of. Life goes on. I am away from my family a lot but to be unhappy is not a good thing.

If you are strangely drawn to something, you must do it. Since I was a kid, pictures of the Matterhorn seemed to haunt me. I was drawn to it, it was an iconic peak for me. In 1996 I climbed it and it was one of my best moments ever.

• The Adventures of Tintin will be released on December 23