Henry Cavill, the charismatic star best known for his role as Superman, may seem like the embodiment of strength and confidence, but his journey to Hollywood’s spotlight wasn’t always so heroic. Before he graced screens with his impressive physique, Cavill faced challenges many might not expect: bullying and body image struggles. In a candid conversation, he reveals how his experiences as an overweight child in Jersey’s St. Michael’s Preparatory School laid the groundwork for his acting craft and resilience.

“I was teased, and it was hard,” Cavill shared with PEOPLE. His peers didn’t see a future action hero, but an outsider—a role that ultimately fueled Cavill’s skill for observation. Being on the “outskirts of popularity,” Cavill explains, taught him invaluable lessons about human behavior. This perspective transformed what could have been lasting wounds into the basis of his acting style: one deeply rooted in empathy and character analysis.

“Someone who is on the outskirts of popularity is someone who gets to look in,” Cavill reflects. “I became very much an observer, and that taught me an awful lot about people.” This skill has served him well in Hollywood, where understanding the “inner workings” of characters gives life to his roles. Whether portraying an iconic hero or a complex spy, Cavill draws from those formative experiences to deliver layered, memorable performances.

Despite his undeniable success, Cavill remains grounded, attributing much of his perspective to his early challenges. In a world where admiration and appearance hold high value, he stays aware of the relativity of fame, noting, “It’s flattering when people say that, but you’ve got to keep yourself aware of the fact that it’s all perspective.”

By embracing his past, Cavill has shown that real strength comes from turning vulnerability into growth. His story is a reminder that true heroism often begins long before the capes and costumes.