Catherine Zeta-Jones' parents had career doubts

Catherine Zeta-Jones' parents were "really dubious" about her choice to leave school at the age of 15.

The Chicago star knew from a very early age that her heart was in acting and abandoned her education to follow her dream.

Despite making it big in Hollywood now, her parents were understandably concerned when she made the choice to drop out.

"Well, I left school at 15 and they were really dubious about that, obviously," the Welsh actress admitted to British magazine OK!

"A 15-year-old girl going to London to pursue a career in acting. They were back there in Wales thinking about the casting couch and the drugs. I had a lot of rules to abide by but I knew that this was what I wanted to do. I couldn't imagine looking back at my life and saying, 'Oh, if only I had the balls and the guts to get up there and do it, maybe my life would be different.'"

Catherine certainly seems to have made the right choice, scoring an Oscar for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in the 2002 hit musical Chicago.

Recently, she starred as Dr. Victoria Siebert in drama Side Effects about the dangers of prescription drugs.

The star made her mother proud by taking the complex role.

"Career-wise - and I love my job - it takes me a lot to leave my kids and leave my husband and leave my dogs," said the 43-year-old, who raises two children with her husband Michael Douglas.

"So this had all the elements that got me straight on a plane. It's a rollercoaster ride. I was thrilled that Steven [Soderbergh, director] cast me as a doctor because I never went to college, and I always wanted an MD after my name, so I'm really quite flattered that he fulfilled my mother's dream!"