The Irish actor has become one of the biggest names in Hollywood thanks to roles in Shame and the X-Men series.

Currently starring in 12 Years a Slave, Michael is a long way from working in his family's restaurant, and says he relishes the chance to spoil his parents now they've retired.

"I feel very lucky to have been raised by my parents. They taught me to be a good person and work hard during the years I was working at the family's restaurant. Now they have retired and they have a life at last; that was a really back-breaking job," Michael told Italy's Vanity Fair magazine.

Michael was born in Germany to his German father Josef Fassbender and his Irish mother Adele.

Reminiscing on special moments he's spent with his parents, Michael recalled an "amazing" trip he went on with his dad.

"Once, with my father and my best friend, we left for an amazing motorcycle road trip. Over 3,000 miles from The Netherlands to Germany and Austria, up to Dubrovnik and then to Italy: Bari, Taormina and back to the Amalfi Coast until Rome, Florence and Lake Garda. I think it's amazing to sit at the table and dine until 1 am, like Italians do," he enthused.

Michael will again be reprising his role of Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto for the new X-Men film, Days of Future past.

The movie will be released in the summer, and will reunite Michael with original cast members Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy and Hugh Jackman, among others.