Shia LaBeouf is actively parting from his wild past.

The 26-year-old Lawless actor was involved in a number of unruly incidents as a young man, including misdemeanour drunk driving, criminal trespassing and unlawful smoking.

Although Shia's legal woes were dismissed, the star acknowledges that he often chose to live on the edge.

"I've made mistakes along the way, but I'm learning," Shia told Parade magazine. "I'm more comfortable with myself, and I'm calming down. I think most twenty-something men go through similar struggles and start seeing what boundaries and what rules are.

"It's about pushing limits and trying to find yourself. I've never been able to learn from other people's mistakes - I'm not that smart - so I usually learn by trial by fire."

As a child Shia first became prominent on Disney programme Even Stevens.

Although he has spent nearly his entire life in the public eye, Shia doesn't think that his fame has adversely impacted his existence.

"I've been blessed in that any kind of fame that I've received has never been like pop-star-fanatical," he explained.

"It's usually pretty respectful and quiet. People are very reserved with me, actually."