Underbelly star Vince Colosimo says meth arrest was 'a wake-up call'
Australian actor Vince Colosimo has commented on his arrest last year for possession of methamphetamine for the first time, saying he has "made a mistake".
Colosimo, 50, told The Daily Telegraph that his arrest in Melbourne's north with a small amount of the drug in September has been "a wake-up call".
"This has caused me, my family and friends grief," Colomiso told the News Corp paper.
"Some people make mistakes, I did and this has been a wake-up call.
"I have two beautiful children, whom I love more than anything in the world and I want to be a good role model for them.
"I want to settle the matter as soon as possible."
The Underbelly star will reportedly be represented by one of Australia’s elite legal firms, Tony Hargreaves and Partners, when he fronts Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 22.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the charges came at a time when Colosimo was struggling to find work, despite a stellar career spanning three decades.
His father Santo, 80, told the newspaper he did not expect his son to "end up like that" and he was shocked to learn about the charges in the media.
"His mother is sad and (has) been crying. We’re all very worried and will do our bit, as father and mother, to support him.
"He’s very good to us and we’re close, he’s a good son who would do anything for his family."
After starring in Australian favourites Wog Boy, Chopper and Lantana, the Victorian native became a household name in 2008 for his role as Melbourne gangster Alphonse Gangitano in Underbelly.
The actor has appeared in 30 movies including Hollywood roles alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Body of Lies and The Great Gatsby.
Over the years he has been forced to take labouring jobs, including clearing building sites to make ends meet between acting jobs.
