Heather Graham reveals she broke major religious rule to star in raunchy movie but has no regrets

Heather Graham has opened up about why she broke a major religious rule to star in a raunchy movie.

The 54-year-old actor skyrocketed to fame after starring as Rollergirl in the cult 1997 comedy-drama, Boogie Nights, alongside Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore and Burt Reynolds.

The film in question, which boasts an impressive 94 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, follows Eddie Adams (Wahlberg) and all the drama that follows in the lucrative porn industry.

Heather Graham opened up about how 'terrifying' it was shooting certain scenes in the film (John Lamparski/Getty Images)

After starring in the box-office smash, Graham went on to appear in a number of other hits including; Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Hangover and Killing Me Softly.

She's also received nominations for two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and an Independent Spirit Award.

However, while Boogie Nights helped launch her career in Hollywood, the star revealed she initially avoided working on movies which involved sexual content.

Speaking on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, Graham explained: "I grew up in a religious family, and they were like, 'Don’t do anything with any sexual content'.

"But try to be a woman in Hollywood in your early 20s, mid-20s, and then to try to get no roles with any sexual content - it’s like impossible."

In the end, Graham went against her family's wishes and decided she would go ahead and audition.

Graham and Mark Wahlberg in the 1997 porn-industry drama (New Line Cinema)

"I had turned down a few things where there was sexual content, and then I saw other people, having really good careers," she recalled. "I just said, 'Screw it. I wanna do this. The [Boogie Nights] script is amazing'."

The actor also revealed that the role of Rollergirl was 'originally offered' to somebody 'really famous who turned it down'.

However, Graham eventually landed the part which she hails as a 'turning point in my career'.

Though she said her first experience filming nude scenes was absolutely 'terrifying', adding: "As a woman, I have to say, even if you go, 'OK. Well, maybe I know sometimes men find me attractive', you look at all the flaws.

The actor called the film a 'turning point' in her career (John Lamparski/Getty Images)

"You go, 'Oh my god. They’re gonna see these flaws'. I remember just sitting in my trailer, like, being like, 'Oh my God. I’m so scared'."

Opening up about getting into character for the breakout role, Graham explained: "You just try to get out of your own head and just be, like, 'What is the character thinking? I’m just gonna be this character'.

"I don’t wanna be like, 'Heather Graham feels nervous about this moment'. I want it to be like, 'I’m Brandy in this scene, and this is what I do. Oh, this isn’t a big deal and these people are my friends and my family. This is part of our life'.

"I was just trying to think about it as the character would think about it."

Looking back on the movie, Graham said: "My role was so fun, I had such a great time."