Ackland's tongue is a lethal weapon too

Most Shakespearean actors who give up the boards to take the Hollywood dollar touchily refuse to admit to having betrayed their craft.

But not Joss Ackland. The 72-year-old, whose later work has included such classics as Lethal Weapon 2 and Mad Dogs and Englishman, has dismissed his own creative output as "an awful lot of crap".

The remarks, which echo the former jewellery magnate Gerald Ratner's view that some of his giftware was "total crap", follow a 48-year career which started with Shakespeare, Z Cars and The Avengers. His portfolio of 120 film appearances features more notable productions such asWhite Mischief and The Sicilian. But in an interview with the Radio Times, he conceded: "I do an awful lot of crap but if it's not immoral, I don't mind. Sometimes it's a form of masochism."

He said many of his roles had been as a result of dares – such as his "regrettable" role in the US teen comedy Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey –or the need to replenish his bank account.He added: "Then there was Passion of Mind last year with Demi Moore. Terrible script, but I needed the money. She [Moore] is all right – not very bright or talented."