January Jones became an actress to overcome fear

January Jones became an actress because she was scared of putting herself in front of people.

The 'Mad Men' star chooses to face up to her fears by conquering them and even goes swimming with sharks in a bid to get over her phobia of the big fish, though she doesn't think her approach is wise.

She explained: "I'm scared of lots of things. The thing with fear is that I have to conquer it because I don't like being scared. I became an actor because I was scared of putting myself in front of people. I went skydiving because I was scared of falling.

"I was wary of sharks so I put myself in a situation where sharks are my charity and I get to swim with them. I need to overcome fears because I'm not comfortable sitting with them. I don't think that makes me fearless, it just makes me not able to deal with it very well."

January, 33, also revealed she is pleased her success has come about over a gradual period, because it has made it easier to adjust to fame.

She added in an interview with Britain's OK! magazine: "It's a wonderful feeling to have been rewarded for the hard work. I've been doing this for a while now - 12 years or so - and it's happened in such a gradual way that it's been great for me to be able to get used to the certain changes that come with it and some of the disappointments and lifestyle changes.

"I don't think I could have planned it better."