GUY PEARCE - PEARCE: 'I'LL NEVER BE A DAD'

PEARCE: 'I'LL NEVER BE A DAD'

Movie star GUY PEARCE has given up on ever becoming a dad - because he'll never come to terms with his own father's death 33 years ago.
The Memento star's test pilot dad died in a plane crash when Pearce was just eight, and he admits the tragedy, coupled with the fact his older sister Tracey has Down Syndrome, has prevented him from starting a family with his psychologist wife of 12 years, Kate Mestitz.
He explains, "My family is from the north of England and maybe for that reason I was encouraged to be stoic about my father's death. The emphasis was on being the man of the house."
The tragedy has turned the adult Pearce into a complex character, which he insists helps him with his work.
He says, "I think that's why I do pretty heavy film roles - I use them to express my grief."
But Pearce doesn't feel like he has missed out on fatherhood - because he's a father figure to his sister, and plans to adopt her when their mother dies.
He adds, "In a way, I have a child and I've had her all my life. I know, once mum pops off, we'll have to take care of Tracey. It was another reason why I got into acting as a kid. It's not very noble but I probably wanted to get some of the attention."