You could say Michael Fassbender was a late bloomer, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate. The 36-year-old, ginger-haired, rough-around-the-edges Irishman may have only leapt into stardom in the last few years, but he decided to become an actor at 17, Fassbender told GQ magazine in a recent interview. And he did what he could to work his way up. This took the form of endless auditions interspersed with bartending stints, postal delivery, television gigs and then his first role in a major film -- "300" -- in 2006.


Now launched into the public's eye, Fassbender is a hot item, in more ways than one. Professionally, he has three films currently in post-production, another two in pre-production, and three more recently announced. All that on the coattails of the soon-to-be released film "The Counselor," written by Cormac McCarthy and directed by Ridley Scott. Yeah, Michael Fassbender is kind of a big deal these days.


But outside of work, Fassbender is also the sexiest man alive, according to some people, and that is no small title to wear. On the subject of women, though, the "12 Years A Slave" actor is remarkably shy. "I’m kind of selfish with the hours that I put into the work," he told Zach Baron of GQ, who then cheekily asked if this selfishness extends to relationships. "I'm not sure I like this line of questioning," Fassbender replied. "I think the longest relationship that I've been in was two years. I started doing this when I was 17, so I guess in my dating, adult life, that kind of covers it."


But a man who has so deftly played roles that exude such raw sexuality and passion would surely know a thing or two about romance. In a 2011 interview with Vulture, Fassbender draws a clear line between simulated sex in films and real sexuality. "All joking aside, [simulating sex is] really uncomfortable. It is kind of a stressful thing, to be honest."


How does he mitigate the discomfort? Just as anyone would approach real sex. "You have to say [to your scene partner], 'What lines do you have that you don't want me to cross? Do you mind if I touch your breasts? Do you not want me to do that? Can I kiss your breasts? Just so you know, I'm not taking advantage here and taking the piss out of this scenario. You let me know what boundaries you're comfortable working within.'"


If Fassbender approaches his onscreen relationships with such a degree of sensitivity and humility, it's only natural to assume he might be the same in his personal relationships. But if he is, it appears few women have had the pleasure of experiencing it. According to Fassbender, he was hardly an object of interest before becoming a celebrity. Speaking on the changes he's observed since becoming famous, Fassbender said:


"I make a lot more friends, you know what I mean? You become a lot more successful in terms of, like, talking to a girl. She's all of a sudden more interested in me. I know that, like, three years ago, she would've walked away after two sentences left my mouth. I remember I was sitting at this table at this thing, and I was talking to this girl. I was like, 'God, I am so boring right now.' But she was like, 'That's so interesting!' I was like, 'You know what? Five years ago, this would not have been interesting.'"

It's sad to think such a talented (and, ahem, good-looking) guy would have been passed over, only becoming desired in light of fame. But just as it took Fassbender some time to come into his own as an actor, there's no reason to believe he won't find true love someday, too.



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  • LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Bradley Cooper attends The Moet British Independent Film Awards 2011 at Old Billingsgate Market on December 4, 2011 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)




  • Actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the world premiere of 'All about Steve' at the Mann Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California, on August 26, 2009. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)




  • LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Bradley Cooper attends the GQ Men Of The Year Awards at The Royal Opera House on September 6, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)




  • HOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 08: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of New Line Cinema's 'Valentine's Day' held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on February 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)




  • UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - OCTOBER 15: Actor Bradley Cooper accepts an award onstage during Spike TV's 'SCREAM 2011' awards held at Universal Studios on October 15, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • Actor Bradley Cooper arrives on the red carpet for the premiere of the Warner Bros. film, 'The Hangover Part II', at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California on May 19, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the Cinema Society & Bing screening of 'The Hangover Part II' at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on May 23, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. 'The Hangover Part II' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 19, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Actor Bradley Cooper looks on during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets on April 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)




  • MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 31: Actor Bradley Cooper attends 'Limitless' (Sin Limites) premiere at Kinepolis Cinema on March 31, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 18: Actor Bradley Cooper visits 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' at Rockefeller Center on March 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the New York Times TimesTalk at The Times Center on March 15, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the Maxim screening and Q A of 'Limitless' at Regal Union Square Theatre, Stadium 14 on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Maxim)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Actor Bradley Cooper visits the New York Stock Exchange on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Actor Bradley Cooper attends Relativity Media's world premiere of 'Limitless' presented by Deleon Tequila at Regal Union Square Theatre, Stadium 14 on March 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Relativity Media)




  • NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Actor Bradley Cooper attends Relativity Media's world premiere of 'Limitless' presented by Deleon Tequila at Regal Union Square Theatre, Stadium 14 on March 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Relativity Media)




  • Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the Los


    Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the Los Angeles Special Screening of 'Limitless' on March 3, 2011 in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 03: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at Relativity Media's Los Angeles Special Screening of 'Limitless' held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on March 3, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 03: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at Relativity Media's Los Angeles Special Screening of 'Limitless' held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on March 3, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the Tommy Hilfiger 25th anniversary celebration at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 12, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Actor Bradley Cooper poses at the Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln Center on September 12, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for IMG)




  • NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the Nike Tennis Primetime Knockout event at Pier 54 on August 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)




  • TOKYO - AUGUST 16: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the Japan Premiere of 'The A-Team' at Differ Ariake on August 16, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on August 20 in Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)




  • TOKYO - AUGUST 16: Actor Bradley Cooper waves to fans as he attends a stage greeting for the Japan Premiere of 'The A-Team' at Differ Ariake on August 16, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open on August 20 in Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)




  • LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Bradley Cooper attends the UK Film Premiere of 'The A-Team' at Empire Leicester Square on July 27, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)




  • MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 26: Actor Bradley Cooper attends 'The A-Team' photocall at ME Hotel on July 26, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)




  • US actor Bradley Cooper poses in a car in front of the Eiffel tower on June 14, 2010 in Paris during a photocall for the release in France of the A-team film, directed by US Joe Carnahan. The movie, to be released on French screens on June 16, 2010, is an adaptation of the eponym serie that was broadcasted from 1983 to 1987 in the US. AFP PHOTO FRED DUFOUR (Photo credit should read FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 03: Actor Bradley Cooper attends 'The A-Team' Los Angeles Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 3, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 07: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives backstage at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)




  • Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the 'Valentine's Day' Los Angeles Premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 8, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)




  • HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 07: Actor Bradley Cooper poses in the press room at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 17: Actor Bradley Cooper signs the Chrysler 300 Eco Style car for Stars for a Cause during the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. This Chrysler 300 is one of seven in existence. (Photo by Michael Caulfield/Getty Images)




  • HOLLYWOOD - JANUARY 15: Actor Bradley Cooper poses in the press room during the 15th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium on January 15, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for VH1)




  • BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 26: Actor Bradley Cooper poses with the Comedy Award in the press room during the 13th annual Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 26, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Hollywood Film Festival)




  • BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 26: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the 13th annual Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 26, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for The Hollywood Film Festival)




  • HOLLYWOOD - JANUARY 15: Actor Bradley Cooper presents the Best Actress award onstage during the 15th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium on January 15, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for VH1)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox's 'All About Steve' held at Mann's Chinese Theater on August 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Bradley Cooper attends the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)




  • LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox's 'All About Steve' held at Mann's Chinese Theater on August 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)




  • BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 11: Bradley Cooper on the red carpet for the Spanish premiere of the Hangover on August 11, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Robert Marquardt/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Actor Bradley Cooper attends the 2009 Whitney Contemporaries Art Party And Auction at Skylight on June 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Actor Bradley Cooper attends The High Line's Opening Summer Benefit presented by Calvin Klein Collection at High Line Park on June 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)




  • LONDON - JUNE 10: Actor Bradley Cooper attends 'The Hangover' film premiere at Vue West End cinema on June 10, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)




  • NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Actor Bradley Cooper attends The Cinema Society's and Details' screening of 'The Hangover' at the Tribeca Grand Screening Room on June 4, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)




  • HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 02: Actor Bradley Cooper at the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Hangover' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 2, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)




  • LAS VEGAS - MAY 15: Actor Bradley Cooper participates in a charity poker tournament at Caesars Palace hosted by Warner Bros. Pictures featuring cast members from the film 'The Hangover' to benefit Opportunity Village May 15, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Caesars Palace served as the location for many scenes of the comedy, which opens nationwide in the United States on June 5. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)




  • LAS VEGAS - APRIL 02: Actor Bradley Cooper, recipient of the Comedy Star of the Year Award, recipient of the Award, arrives at the ShoWest awards ceremony at the Paris Las Vegas during ShoWest, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, April 2, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)




  • SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Actor Bradley Cooper arrives at the 24th Annual Film Independent's Spirit Awards held at Santa Monica Beach on February 21, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)