Johnny Depp is the world's highest paid actor, according to the 2012 edition of Guinness Book of World Records.
But despite his riches, he said he had no trouble with going back to his humble roots.
The actor has made more than 60 films and is renowned for playing off-beat, quirky characters, including his Oscar nominated turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.
Still, the actor, who dropped out of high school at 15 to become a rock musician, seems to have the rare power in Hollywood to call the shots.
But Depp said even he was dumbfounded at his success.
SOUNDBITE: Johnny Depp, saying (English):
"There's no way to define anything. I only know what I know. And it doesn't necessarily mean that I have a great handle on it myself. It's just sort of what I do, what I've wanted to do or what I've done. I guess because I've always been ok with going back to pumping gas."
The Hollywood star was on the red carpet for the European premiere of his latest project "The Rum Diary", in London on Thursday (November 3).
The film is based on a novel by his good friend and writer, the late Hunter S. Thompson.
The film's director Bruce Robinson was pulled out of obscurity to direct the movie.
Depp saw his British cult classic "Withnail & I" and thought he would be perfect for the job.
Robinson said Depp finally won him over with a persistent but gentle nudge.
SOUNDBITE: Writer/Director Bruce Robinson, saying (English):
"He was tenacious and persuasive and kept bugging me and if you're being bullied by Johnny Depp, it's like being hit with a flower, it was very nice."
But "The Rum Diary" struggled in its opening weekend in the United States, according to the latest box office figures released on Monday (October 31).
It took in only five million, a significant loss considering it cost 45 million dollars to make, and could end up being one of the biggest flops of his career.
Still, Depp still has a few million and his gas-pumping skills to fall back on.
Cindy Martin, Reuters