NCIS star Duane Henry's real-life story of homelessness in his own words

British actor Duane Henry became a household name for his role in NCIS, but before he landed the celebrated gig, he lived a very real struggle.

MORE: NCIS: LA star Eric Christian Olsen shares sweet tribute to co-star following show cancellation

The star - who played M16 agent, Clayton Reeves between 2016 and 2018 - revealed in the past that he was homeless while navigating the rocky road of finding fame.

As he drifted in and out of work in London auditioning for more than a decade, he flitted from one unstable living situation to another.

WATCH: NCIS and NCIS: Hawaii tease major crossover 

"That’s kind of been my whole career, technically," Duane said in an interview with CBS. "You lose your job and you end up in different places, in the houses of friends or an old car."

MORE: NCIS: LA star Eric Christian Olsen leaves fans heartbroken with post following show's cancelation

READ: NCIS' Brian Dietzen shares glimpse into relationship with co-stars off-air

But Duane said: "It never really bothered me, and I never took my eye off the prize, that one day I could actually go to Hollywood.

"It always kept a smile on my face and a fire in my heart. Then I came to America, and I was homeless until I got this gig on NCIS, actually."

Duane was on NCIS for two years 

He used his hardship to help mold his character on the hit crime show which he joined in its 13th season.

MORE: How Mark Harmon's painful injury changed his lifestyle

READ: NCIS feuds: Fallouts and firings that have seen stars quit

"I tried to use a lot of Duane Henry in Clayton,” he said. “He's a bit unsure in the beginning and doesn't know what's expected of him."

He said he wanted to be accepted into the NCIS family both onscreen and off - and former star, Pauley Perrette, helped make that happen.

"She got wind that I was couch surfing, and she was like, 'Oh no, I’ve got a house for you,'" Duane shared, adding that he took Pauley up on her offer and stayed with her. She also boosted his confidence by consistently reminding him that he had landed a role in "the number one show in the world".

Duane thanked Pauley Perrette for giving him a place to live 

He accepted Pauley’s offer and stayed there. She also spent time reminding Duane that, "You’re filming the No. 1 show in the world".

MORE: Mark Harmon disagrees with wife as he makes unexpected comment about marriage

MORE: NCIS confirms return of well-loved character - and fans are excited

Despite no longer being on the show, Duane is forever grateful for the opportunity it gave him and he still grasps life and his TV and film roles with both hands.

He told Parade: "I'm just excited for whatever comes my way in terms of work no matter what it is, where it is, or how it is. The beauty of being an actor, we have a license to do what we want for many, many years. We’re not in a boy band, we’re not dancers, our life and career doesn’t stop at 33 like a footballer. I’m in this, I’ll probably quit when I’m 85 years old.

"This is a marathon, so I’m in no rush, I’m not speeding anything. I’m in a great place and I just want to grow and enjoy my time on earth here at my discretion, no compromise. I’ll sacrifice whatever, but I’m not compromising with anything."

Read more HELLO! US stories here

Like this story? Sign up to our HELLO! Mail newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.