Ryan Reynolds feared he'd die from anxiety as the crippling condition took hold of him

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has revealed his battle with anxiety.

The Deadpool star, 45, has struggled with the crippling condition throughout his 'whole life', but it took a toll on him when he became one of the most successful actors in Hollywood.

The much-loved actor has revealed that at certain points in his acting career, he feared he would 'die' from his battle with anxiety.

Ryan explained how the crippling condition took hold of him before huge TV appearances.

"I've had anxiety my whole life really. And you know, I feel like I have two parts of my personality, that one takes over when that happens," Ryan told CBS show Sunday Morning.

Ryan Reynolds has revealed his life-long battle with anxiety (GC Images)

"When I would go out on, like, Letterman back in the day, I was nervous.

"But I remember I'd be standing backstage before the curtain would open, and I would think to myself, "I'm gonna die. I'm literally gonna die here. The curtain's gonna open and I'm just gonna be, I'm just gonna be a symphony of vomit," just, like, something horrible is gonna happen."

Ryan went on to explain how he overcomes his anxiety as he revealed how his anxiety attacks eventually fade.

"As soon as that curtain opens – and this happens in my work a lot too – it's like this little guy takes over," Ryan shared.

Ryan credited his wife Blake Lively for helping him through his anxiety battle (Getty Images for Disney)

"And he's like, 'I got this. You're cool.' I feel, like, my heart rate drop, and my breathing calm, and I just sort of go out and I'm this different person. And I leave that interview going, 'God, I'd love to be that guy'".

Ryan, who is also a proud dad to three daughters, who has three daughters, admitted that he feels as though his problems with anxiety stem from his upbringing with his father.

His dad, James Reynolds, was a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman and was a 'tough guy', according to Ryan.

"My dad was a tough guy. He was good in many ways as well, but he was tough on us," the Just Friends actor revealed.

Ryan said his problems with anxiety stem from his upbringing with his father (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

"This is not meant to be some sob story – everyone carries their own bag of rocks around and I am no different in that regard – but growing up in my house, it was never relaxing or easy and I know that, throughout my life, I've dealt with anxiety in different ways.

"I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but anxiety is also a great fuel. I mean, my God, it's the anti-complacency pill, but it's also something that you need to manage."

Ryan credited his gorgeous wife Blake Lively for helping him through his anxiety.