Josh Hartnett reflects on most embarrassing career moment

The "Trap" star shared an awkward on-set experience from his early career.

Josh Hartnett, the 46-year-old actor known for his role in "Black Hawk Down," recently recounted one of his most embarrassing moments in his career. 

During an interview with ELLE, Hartnett recalled a particularly awkward day on the set of the 2001 film "Pearl Harbor."

In the video interview, Hartnett described a scene where he and Kate Beckinsale were filming a love scene involving parachutes. To his dismay, Beckinsale brought her 1-year-old daughter and boyfriend to the set for the first time on that very day. 

"I felt terrible the whole day that day. That was super embarrassing. Thanks, Kate!" Hartnett shared. Beckinsale's then-boyfriend was not named, but she was known to be dating actor Michael Sheen at the time, with whom she shares her daughter, Lily Sheen.

Despite the embarrassment, "Pearl Harbor," directed by Michael Bay, became a significant box office success, grossing $449 million globally. Although the film received mixed reviews, it helped solidify Hartnett's status as a Hollywood star, leading to roles in films directed by Ridley Scott and Brian De Palma.

Reflecting on his career, Hartnett mentioned in a 2014 interview with Details, quoted by UPI, how overwhelming fame had led him to retreat from Hollywood for a period. 

"I couldn’t really go anywhere. I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. I was alone. I didn’t trust anyone. So I went back to Minnesota and got back together with my old friends," he explained.

Hartnett has since returned to prominence, featuring in Christopher Nolan’s "Oppenheimer," one of the top-grossing films of 2023, and the Hulu series "The Bear." 

He is currently promoting "Trap," a thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, where he portrays a father dealing with a serial killer incident.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Hartnett discussed the importance of balancing career and family life. 

"I’ve figured out that as much as you’re worried about curating your career to things you’re interested in, I don’t believe that’s the most important thing anymore," he said. "It’s about finding people who you really trust."