He plays ruthless lawyer Harvey Specter in the Lightbox legal drama 'Suits', but actor Gabriel Macht says he's nothing like his on-screen character.

"I'm a family man; the most important thing to me is being with my wife and kids," he told the Paul Henry programme this morning.

"This guy is a total workaholic, aggressive, brash and a lawyer. That is just not me."

The star says he followed in his father's footsteps to become an actor.

"I saw the ups and downs in his career, the failures which came with being an actor, but also the successes too."

Macht himself struggled as a performer before getting his break as Harvey Specter. He has been an extra in 'Beverley Hills 90210' and 'Sex and the City', and says he is blessed to finally be doing what he loves for decent pay.

"In the Screen Actors Guild, five percent of working actors make over $200,000 a year, 95 percent make under $5000 a year," he says.

"You're pounding the pavement."

Watch the video for the full interview with Paul Henry.

Newshub.