Tina Fey suffers from severe bouts of "impostor syndrome"

The comedian shot to fame when videos of her impersonating US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin were downloaded by millions worldwide. She has also scored a starring role on TV series 30 Rock, opposite Alec Baldwin, but says her sudden success has played havoc with her self-esteem.

"Ah, the impostor syndrome," she said. "The beauty of the impostor syndrome is you vacillate between extreme egomania, and a complete feeling of: `I`m a fraud! Oh god, they`re on to me! I`m a fraud!`

"So you just try to ride the egomania when it comes and enjoy it, and then slide through the idea of fraud. Seriously, I`ve just realised that almost everyone is a fraud, so I try not to feel too bad about it."

Tina turns 40 this year, and while other women in Hollywood dread the milestone, she is thrilled fame waited so long to find her. She thinks her age means she takes things far less seriously, and can manage the scrutiny of her private life better than younger stars.

"Having become a public figure perhaps later in life than most I think has helped me deal with the aspects of intrusion into my private life," she explained to British newspaper The Independent. "People do treat you differently, so it`s nice to come into it a little bit older because you sort of know not to believe it 100 percent.

"Everyone is so nice to you all of the time, telling you, `you look great,` when you know you don`t. But that`s OK. Being a little older, it`s easier to take things with a grain of salt."

sections: Celebrities