Star of the hard-hitting spy drama Homeland, and most recently Showtime's Billions, Damian Lewis has discussed how he worked through a meeting with Steven Spielberg to grab one of his first roles – after a night of drinking.

Following a warmly-received audition for Band of Brothers, which was produced by both Spielberg and Tom Hanks, Lewis celebrated that night in Los Angeles, and found himself rushed into a meeting the next morning.

Discussing his wobbly yet memorable experience with Sunday TODAY, Lewis said: "I go out and get absolutely hammered. I'm so excited. I'm in LA. I did a really good audition for Tom Hanks.

"I come back at 3 in the morning and I get a phone call at 8 o'clock. 'Damian, Steven [Spielberg] would like to meet you now, can you be here by nine?'"

HBO

Related: Steven Spielberg may finally make that Stephen King adaptation he's been planning since 1982

Lewis starred in the lead role as Major Richard 'Dick' Winters in the HBO miniseries, propelling his acting reputation.

Further discussing his amusing tale: "I have three showers, 17 cups of coffee and I go in shaking. And Steven is there, and he's already got his video on his shoulder and then they offered me the role, there in the room. It was great. It was a great day."

Spielberg's latest visual treasure, Ready Player One is in cinemas now.

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