Danny Trejo says he 'faced the gas chamber' and 'got high with Charles Manson' before he found fame in Hollywood

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Danny Trejo admits he was going down a dark path before his career in Hollywood.

The 77-year-old actor said he 'could have died' if he hadn't found a career in entertainment, opening up to The Sun to promote his book Trejo: My Life Of Crime, Redemption And Hollywood.

Danny - who now has over 400 film credits to his name - told the paper he 'wasn’t surprised,' when his involvement in a prison riot almost sent him to 'the gas chamber,' saying: 'I was always told, "You’ll either die in prison or of an act of violence on the street," and I believed it.'

Lucky: Danny Trejo admitted he 'could have died' and was likely facing 'the gas chamber' before he was given a second chance and found his way to Hollywood

Open book: The 77-year-old actor opened up to The Sun to promote his book Trejo: My Life Of Crime, Redemption And Hollywood

Though he had endured stints at San Quentin and Folsom, Trejo found himself in serious trouble after being involved in a 'one-thousand person riot' at Soledad State Prison in California.

The Machete actor - who grew up in a troubled home in Pacoima, California -  was in hot water for accidentally hitting a guard in the head with a rock while trying to lob it at other prisoners, told he was facing the death penalty for attempted murder.

He remembered asking God for mercy, saying: 'We were expecting the gas chamber, which I accepted but I thought, "Let me die with dignity, I don't want to pee my pants, to s*** and scream."'

'I pleaded, "God, if you let me die with dignity, I'll say your name every day and do what I can for my fellow inmates."

'The reason I said "inmates" was because I never thought I was getting out of prison and the good Lord fooled me.'

It seemed God listened to his prayers and the case was eventually dropped due to lack of evidence.

When Trejo was released a prison board agent, who he referred to as 'Mad Dog', warned him he was being given a chance at a second life.

'I’ll never forget him saying, "We’re going to give you a chance to spread your wings Trejo."'

Upbringing: He grew up in a troubled home in Pacoima, California and spent time in San Quentin, Folsom, Soledad State Prison and LA County jail

Star: He's credited in 400 Tv and film roles, seen in 1997 at the premiere of Con Air above 

He kept his promise to God, and has been sober since 1969.

Though he put the life of crime behind him, Danny's times behind bars were not without their memorable moments.

While in LA County Jail all the way back in 1961, the Spy Kids star remembers meeting Charles Manson.

Though Trejo said Manson was a character, he added that the cult leader 'wasn’t the same guy we know today.' 

Danny said: 'I saw a little man who couldn’t afford a belt, he had to tie his pants up with a string and even in county jail he was all dirty.

Back then: While in LA County Jail all the way back in 1961, the Spy Kids star remembers meeting Charles Manson (above in 1970) but says he 'wasn't the same' cult leader character 'we know today'

'But when we found out he could hypnotize us to make us feel high, we watched out for him and basically he got us loaded on weed and heroin.'

Now, finding himself far away from that life Trejo wonders why fellow actors would ever pretend to be 'gangsters.' 

'Actors do one gangster movie and think they’re a gangster, they ought to have a class to teach them, "Look, you’re not a gangster!"' 

'When I’ve been a character, I don't want to stay as that character. I’ll go play with my kids or pick up a puppy or something.'

Trejo's book is out now.

Snag your copy! Danny's book Trejo: My Life Of Crime, Redemption And Hollywood is out now