Kevin Bacon thinks his ''obsession'' with fame could have left him in ''rehab'' or ''dead''.

The 'Footloose' star admits the idea of becoming famous was ''seductive'' throughout his early career but it wasn't until he had two children, Travis and Sosie, with his wife Kyra Sedgwick, that he realised there was more to life than being a celebrity.

He told The Sun newspaper: ''You can end up in rehab or dead unless there is something else in your life other than celebrity.

''People will be nice to you for no other reason than they've seen your movies.

''So what do you do to escape the obsession with fame? Get a proper life. With me it's my family, my wife and children and a handful of close friends.

Kevin admits he ''broke down in tears'' following a series of ''film flops'' throughout his late career, and claims other actors find themselves headed towards a downward spiral if their life outside their Hollywood is unfulfilled.

He added: ''Those who are wrecked by celebrity have nothing else to fall back upon.''

Looking back at his early career, the 55-year-old star would have some strong words of advice for his 18-year-old self.

He mused: ''Don't worry so much - it's a waste of energy - and do not take yourself too seriously.''