My parents were satellite engineers who worked on the Hubble space telescope and separated when I was 10. There's something about a divorce in that even if your parents still love you, the fact that they can't live with each other makes you feel there's something wrong with you. But aside from that I had a good childhood. My parents were very supportive of me and my artistic endeavours. My father and mother came to every school play I ever did. When I was 13, I talked my stepfather into driving me to auditions. Now, as a parent myself, I'm just playing it by ear. I haven't read any books on how to be a good dad, but I will always try to be honest with the kids … it sounds like a train wreck already doesn't it?

I was a wild and reckless teenager. So much so that I think I'm lucky to be alive. Teenage boys feel immortal. It's that weird mix of hormones and not yet fully formed brains. They actually are insane. I should have been put in jail. I got into drugs and I stole money from my mum. It was a bad time. I used to drive around the streets, the curvy Hollywood hills like it was my personal race track, "catching air" with five kids in the car, me just screaming "Yeaaagh!" We were having fun, but there could've been a tragedy. It's a scary thought that one day my boys (Sam, four, and Thomas, two) will become teenagers. I will obviously try to protect them from the dangers of wild youth, but you've got to let them roam free a bit. You've got to let them explore and live their lives.

Fatherhood is extremely rewarding. My children are magical creatures and I love them to death. But it is challenging. It takes a lot of energy. When you get home from work you need to spend time with them – you can't just go and work on the computer. You need to give them your attention and listen to them and play their games, and those crazy pretending games take a lot of energy.

I don't know if my kids will follow in my footsteps. But they love to sing and dance, they love to show off. Sammy is very musical. I already got him a guitar. He's very talented. There's not going to be any pressure on Sam at all. He's going to be free to be his own man.

I am a little bit strict. You've got to say: "No more sweets, you've had enough. No more TV, it's time to go to sleep …it's one in the morning!"

I do have control issues. I notice it when Sam and I are listening to music for example. Sometimes we will do lip-sync games where I will pretend to sing a song and my boy will go, "No, no, no. My turn!" and I realise I'm hogging the mic. I like to be in control.

It took me years to build up the courage to talk to my wife, Tanya, because I knew her in high school 20 years ago. But I never spoke to her and I was afraid to ask her out until many years later. It was crazy that it took me so long. She was always in the back of mind.

I like being married. I'm at home with my wife and kids all the time now. I don't go out for wild nights. It's a lonely existence just floating around without a life partner. With other people I've been with, even when I was with them, I'd feel alone. When we found each other, it seemed really obvious. When I'm with Tanya I have this great feeling of sharing experiences, of not feeling alone in the universe because I've got her beside me. I'm a bit of a romantic.

Gulliver's Travels is on DVD on 16 May