'I wanted him to laugh!' Kate Mara reveals she wore nipple pasties with Kevin Spacey's face on to film sex scene... as she poses for Playboy

There can be few more awkward moments for an actress than filming a sex scene.

But Kate Mara tells Playboy she knows just how to lighten the mood.

The actress revealed she made special nipple pasties with Kevin Spacey's face on them to film a sex scene with the 'playful' actor.

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Sultry: Kate Mara reveals her slender frame as she poses for Playboy

Sultry: Kate Mara reveals her slender frame as she poses for Playboy

'I tried to get him to laugh by wearing pasties with his face on them,' she tells the magazine's 20 Questions section. 

'Of course, because Kevin... always wins, her House Of Cards co-star did not laugh.

'He waited until the director said, "Cut" and then he laughed.  Kevin has an amazing sense of humor, but he’s also a great professional and he’s really f***ing good at it.'

Kate, 31, covered up in a jumper for the famous men's magazine, but also posed in a futuristic bra top and matching skirt.

And she revealed that her family weren't always happy with her sometimes racy roles.

'They have a sense of humor about it,' said Kate, before revealing that wasn't always the case.

'They were very upset when I was 19 and had a scene in Nip/Tuck that showed only my back but suggested nudity,' she said.

All covered up: Kate kept her clothes on for the shoot

All covered up: Kate kept her clothes on for the shoot

'I tried to explain that it’s acting and part of the craft, and if it’s important to the story and tastefully done, I will choose to do certain things. 

'By the time House of Cards came along, my family had dealt with plenty of other difficult things to watch with my career and my sister’s career.'

Talking of her sister, actress Rooney Mara, Kate explained they are not competitive.

'We’re really close,' she said of the 28-year-old, who has been nominated for an Oscar, before admitting she would also like a nomination.

'But we were all together when we learned Rooney had gotten the nomination, and we all celebrated together,' she explained.

Revelations: Kate was talking to Playboy

Revelations: Kate was talking to Playboy

'She and I have auditioned for some of the same parts, and we’ve actually checked with each other, like, "What time is your audition?" because it would be just awkward to see each other there.'

And Kate laughed off being confused for other stars.

'As a redhead, I’ve been confused with other redheads like Amy Adams—but hey, I’ll take that.  She’s amazing. 

'I had someone come up to me for an autograph and say, "I loved you in The Devil Wears Prada," but no, that’s not me either. 

'I’ve signed autographs, and when I realized they thought I was someone else, I’ve actually called the other actor to tell them.  Maybe I need to start asking who people think I am before I sign.'

Co-stars: Kevin Spacey and Kate appear onscreen together in House of Cards

Co-stars: Kevin Spacey and Kate appear onscreen together in House of Cards

Best of friends: Kate amused Kevin by wearing nipple pasties with his face on them for a scene

Best of friends: Kate amused Kevin by wearing nipple pasties with his face on them for a scene

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