Joseph Gordon-Levitt is impressed by the parenting skills that his mother and father possess.

The 31-year-old actor, who was born and raised in the city of Los Angeles, credits a lot of his success to his father Dennis Levitt and his mother Jane Gordon.

Joseph feels that without the values they instilled in him, he may not have achieved the prosperity he is now enjoying.

"How a child is raised by their parents is, of course, going to have a profound effect on that child," he told British newspaper the Independent.

"Personally, I can vouch that my parents did an excellent job."

Joseph stars alongside Bruce Willis in Looper - a sci-fi action film based in a futuristic gangland.

Bruce plays a future version of Joseph's character and Joseph had to put on a lot of make-up to mimic his co-star's face.

Joseph found his temporary resemblance to Bruce incredibly odd.

"It's a bizarre experience to look in the mirror and see a face other than my own," he said.

Looper will be released in theatres next week.