Jack Whitehall found himself starstruck as he acted alongside Hollywood A-lister Emily Blunt – but says they bonded over their mums using the same London hairdresser.
And the comic was also nervous to star opposite former pro wrestler turned box office sensation Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who he says travels with his own gym.
All three appear in new Disney blockbuster comedy Jungle Cruise.
Jack, 33, said: “I was quite nervous working with The Rock and Emily Blunt. But I had met Emily before as I screen tested with her.
“I landed in New York sleep-deprived and terrified. I was bricking it and Emily was so nice. We grew up in the same area and found common ground. We are both from Putney and discovered our mums get their hair cut at the same hairdressers in Barnes. That was the common ground.”
After nailing the audition, Jack, 33, discovered he got the job at 3am while he was dancing to techno music in Budapest. He said: “I went crazy and started crying and bought everyone in the club a drink.”
The film, about a voyage on the Amazon in search of an ancient tree with healing powers, was shot in Hawaii and Atlanta.
Speaking on his Private Parts podcast, Jack said he was impressed by The Rock’s exercise regime, revealing that the buff 49-year-old takes a personal gym he dubs Iron Paradise wherever he travels.
Jack said: “I went into it, I was invited in. It’s a very sacred space and very few are allowed in the Iron Paradise. I got invited as Emily’s plus-one.
“It’s a full gym, it’s incredible. Weights are heavy and there are cross trainers and exercise bikes. I went to one exercise bike he had in the gym and he was doing the lifty one with a big chair around his neck.”
Since being inspired by The Rock, Jack – also a presenter – wants to tone up so he can take on more action roles.
He said: “I am trying to cut down on carbs. I have got a personal trainer and I am trying to get in shape.
“I think if you drink the protein powder, the muscles go straight in.
“I have spoken to my agent Ryan and I said, ‘For the right role I would be willing to bulk up,’ and he said, ‘That is not how it works’.
“You have got to bulk up first and then you get the role.”
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“If you are Christian Bale you are fine – but I am not at that stage yet.”
Jack also said he hopes to be invited back to join a Jungle Cruise sequel, adding: “Maybe they will look at the first movie and say, ‘We like this hapless English posho’.”
