'Jerry Maguire' star's nursing career gave her 'perspective' before tackling Hollywood

But her work as an oncology nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in her native Chicago has kept her grounded after five decades in Hollywood.

"The one gift patients always give me is perspective," she told the outlet. "They let me in when they're facing their own mortality."

She went on to star in films like "Beethoven," "Jumanji," and "Cheaper by the Dozen," as well as lending her voice to the "Cars" series and directing and co-writing the David Duchovony film "Return to Me."

"On purpose, I was very selective," the 63-year-old said. "I wanted to do things that were more timeless and could be seen by entire families. I really did, that's why I went into show business."

She continued, "You can watch some story together as a family and escape your worries, your heartache, it's medicinal in a way and that's what drove me."

Hunt currently stars in the Christmas action comedy "Red One," with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, a mismatched duo tasked with saving Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons).