Guy Pearce was initially considered ''too handsome'' for one of his most famous acting roles.

The 47-year-old actor rose to international stardom on the back of his performance as cross-dresser Adam Whitely in the 1994 comedy-drama 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert', but the movie's director, Stephan Elliott, has revealed Guy's dashing good looks almost cost him the part.

Stephan recalled: ''The honest truth is that I didn't want him. 'I said, 'He is too pretty.' He was too handsome.''

However, the director admitted the role represented a landmark moment in Guy's career, as it allowed him to disassociate himself from the character of Mike Young, who he played for three years in the Australian soap 'Neighbours'.

Stephan told the Herald Sun newspaper: ''For him, I think it was a chance to go out and kill Mike from 'Neighbours' ... when he was in character, he could do everything that Mike from 'Neighbours' could never be allowed to do.''

Earlier this year, Guy confessed that while he always wanted to be an actor, he doesn't enjoy being famous.

He shared: ''It's not what I went into it for, not every actor wants to be Tom Cruise.''