Billy Bob Thornton says his romance with Angelina Jolie was a "crazy time", thanks to the intense glare of the tabloids.
Thornton was interviewed before students at Loyola Marymount University's School of Film & Television, an interview which the Hollywood Reporter says covered everything from his career to personal life.
When the topic shifted to his 1995 - 2003 relationship with Jolie, Thornton opened up about the tabloid frenzy over his alleged dungeon and carrying vials of each other's blood.
"I've never been fond of it," Thornton said, adding the "dungeon" in question was actually a recording studio in his basement.
"Vial of blood is very simple," the 59-year-old said.
"You know those lockets you buy that are clear and you put a picture of your grannie in and wear it around your neck? She bought two of those. We were apart a lot because she's off making Tomb Raider and I'm making Monster's Ball.
"She thought it would be interesting and romantic if we took a little razorblade and sliced our fingers, smeared a little blood on these lockets and you wear it around your neck just like you wear your son or daughter's baby hair in one. Same thing.
"From that, we were wearing quart jars of blood around our necks. And we were vampires and we lived in a dungeon."
-AAP