Channing Tatum's Clint wimp plea

Feb 21, 2010, 6:01 GMT

Channing Tatum wants to ask Clint Eastwood for advice on how to stop being "wimpy".

The 'Public Enemies' actor is desperate to ask the screen legend for advice on how to master more macho film roles and has often considered writing him a letter begging for hints and tips.

Discussing what his note would say, he explained: "I'm sorry for all of us wimpy actors out there. Please teach me!"

Although he is eager to learn now, the 29-year-old hunk wasn't always a strong student.

Channing's confidence took a battering from his childhood stammer, and he was put on medication after teachers suspected he had mild learning difficulties.

He explained: "I had a bad stutter when I was really young. I couldn't get a sentence out. Like, 'D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-ad.' And that turned into a mumble.

"I was not good in school. I couldn't ever read very fast or very well. I got tested for learning disabilities, for dyslexia. Then I got put on Ritalin and Dexedrine. I took those starting in the eighth grade. As soon as they pumped that drug into me, it would focus me right in. I was doing great. I was getting As, doing extra-credit work!"

However, the medication eventually became too much for Channing, who decided to come off the tablets after they stopped him from being his usual self.

He explained to Details magazine: "The longer I took Dexedrine, the worse I felt. It sucked all the personality from me. I'd get depressed. I would think suicidal - I was never personally suicidal, but I could see how some kids were, how they'd be like, 'I can't take this anymore'. Finally, my senior year, I said, 'That's it. I am done with these.' "