Hilary Swank has admitted that she had to learn how to have fun.

The Amelia star, who has won two Academy Awards, has revealed that her drive to succeed prevented her from displaying to the public a care-free image.

Speaking to Marie Claire, the 35-year-old said: "That's understandable, because that's how people see me all the time. And I will say that it took me a while to learn how to actually have fun.

"I think I was so driven and determined to get out of where I came from that I thought I had to be constantly focused."

The actress also said that her pets bring ease and comfort into her life and she tries to take time out of her demanding schedule to spend time with them.

Swank added: "My relaxation has always been my animals - going to the dog park with them, going to the beach. I always try to carve out time in my day to be with them. On the last set I was on, I would just get a bike and ride around the studio with my dogs chasing me. It just gets me out of my head, you know what I mean?"

/Digital Spy/