He rose to fame through films including Crocodile Dundee, Australia and Walkabout.

But David Gulpilil’s life had become difficult and he was even facing five month prison sentence after drunkenly assaulting his wife in 2011, when film director Rolf de Heer approached him for Charlie’s Country.

And on Thursday night as David took home the Best Lead Actor Award at the AACTA Awards he revealed to Daily Mail Australia how he’s turned his life around.

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Award winner: On Thursday night as David Gulpilil took home the Best Lead Actor Award at the AACTA Awards he revealed to Daily Mail Australia how he’s turned his life around since working on Charlie’s Country

Great mates: Later on as he when he introduced the film along with Gary Sweet, he told the audience: 'It's really good, go and see it!'

The Aboriginal actor, who for many is a defining face of indigenous Australia, said: ‘I am happy and glad I’m an actor and a dancer and an artist.

‘I quit alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, but no worries.

'It’s all about the life living and that’s why Charlie came to me. I'm proud of it.'

Smart: Looking dapper in a black tuxedo, with crisp white shirt and bow-tie, David posed on the red carpet alongside House Husbands star Gary, who has just become a father for the fifth time at the age of 57

Speaking about the film, which was a way of helping him out of a life of heavy drinking, he added:

‘It’s not good for our universe of our bodies.’

Looking dapper in a black tuxedo, with crisp white shirt and bow-tie, David posed on the red carpet alongside House Husbands star Gary Sweet, who has just become a father for the fifth time at the age of 57.

Seflie time: Looking dapper in a black tuxedo, with crisp white shirt and bow-tie, David posed on the red carpet and took time to have selfies taken with fans

The pair both starred together in 2012 film The Tracker.

Later on as he when he was introducing the film along with Gary, he told the audience: