Ben Affleck gave Shia LaBeouf pep talk to steer clear of Hollywood trouble

Ben Affleck once attempted to help Shia Labeouf avoid the pitfalls of fame by sharing some words of wisdom with the young actor early on in his career.

The Transformers star reveals Affleck approached him at a party and encouraged him not to feel intimated by fame after realising he may be headed down the wrong path.

LaBeouf tells Interview magazine, "He was the first guy who really took me off to the side and made me feel like I could do it (be successful in Hollywood).

"(He told me), 'Keep your head on straight, kid, and don't let all this get to you'. He knew that I had cameras in my face and that there were expectations to perform. I think that's always been my issue. I'm prone to theatrics in my life. When you're in front of a film crew, the worst thing that an actor can be is boring, and that flows over into my life."

LaBeouf admits his behaviour at the party had Affleck worried, adding, "Ben saw that and was trying to curb it before it became an issue", and although he was grateful for the advice, the 28 year old adds, "He was unsuccessful".

LaBeouf has been trying to repair his reputation in recent weeks after a year of erratic behaviour, which led to his dismissal from Broadway play Orphans after clashing with co-star Alec Baldwin and an arrest in June (14) following an altercation during a production of musical Cabaret.

He was recently ordered to complete six months of alcohol rehabilitation treatment as his punishment for the disorderly conduct bust. The criminal charge will be wiped from his file if he behaves himself.