Before he was Snake Plissken, Kurt Russell was a child actor looking to make it big in Hollywood — and the person who gave him advice was none other than Walt Disney at his studio.

“What I learned at Disney was how to make movies, and I learned that from Walt,” the 66-year-old told the magazine Disney Twenty-Three, as reported by People Magazine.

Russell got his start in Hollywood on a 10-year contract with the Walt Disney Company in the 1960s.

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“Mr. Disney took me around and introduced me to many of the animators,” recalled Russell. “I look back on it now and I realize I was this kid, and he was taking the time to pick my brain, because I think that was an important thing for him to do with young people.”

Russell added, “And in return, I got to listen to him talk about arcs of movies and characters. The process of building an audience’s expectations. The process of creating a character that the audience really cares about and attaching it to life, so that we can all relate to it. So, in that regard, I was getting lessons that I had no idea I was getting.”

However, Russell had another passion he wanted to pursue — baseball. He told the publication that at age 13, he once left the set early to attend a game. When he came back, Russell was expected to be scolded by his mentor.

“I’m wondering how much trouble I’m in,” recalled Russell. “[But] everyone is nice. The crew is great.”

Disney eventually appeared on set and taught the young actor another life lesson on finding balance as a Hollywood actor.

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“And here comes Walt Disney,” said Russell. “And I thought, ‘Oh-oh.’ And he came over and he said, ‘Well, young man, I hear you got the game-winning hit. Way to go! Have fun today, guys.’ And it was from that moment on I knew that guy was cool. He got it.”

Disney died at age 65 in 1966 from an acute circulatory collapse. The New York Times reported a month prior to his death that Disney had surgery to remove a lung tumor that was discovered after he was treated for an old neck injury suffered during a polo match.

Russell went on to pursue a lasting Hollywood career.

This year he completed two films, “The Fate of the Furious” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

This Fox News article is used with permission.

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