Michael Bay thinks Shia LaBeouf is a "very good person", despite his personal issues.

The 61-year-old director, who worked with the 40-year-old actor on the first three movies in Transformers franchise, admitted he hasn't "checked in" with the star recently, but he was full of praise.

Asked what he would say to Shia, given his recent legal issues, he told TMZ: "He's a great guy. He's a great actor. I had an amazing time working with him, and I think he's a very good person.

"I don't know, I haven't checked in."

However, Michael did reveal that Shia phoned him around six months ago when he was at Universal Studios with his four-year-old daughter Isabel.

The blockbuster filmmaker said: "I have not spoken to Shia probably in about six months. He called me, this was a very nice call he gave.

"He called me, he said he went on the Transformers Universal ride with his daughter. He goes, 'I finally saw our movies through my daughters eyes and I cried', he cried twice.

"He's never mentioned to his daughter ever that he's ever been in the movie, and she weas gravitated to go to that ride. That's a great story."

Shia remains one of Hollywood's most recognisable actors through roles in the Transformers franchise, Honey Boy, Fury and Disturbia, while his personal life and legal troubles have frequently generated headlines alongside his screen career.

Just last month, he admitted he's drinking every day just months after being arrested during Mardi Gras.

Back in June, Shia pleaded guilty to misdemeanour battery charges stemming from an altercation with three men at a New Orleans bar during the Mardi Gras holiday celebrations in February.

At the time, he was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to complete programmes addressing alcohol abuse, anger management and sensitivity awareness.

In new court documents obtained by TMZ, Shia has checked in with his probation supervisor as required, and "provided proof that he will complete anger management and substance abuse treatment by next month".

According to the report, he's denied mental health treatment, and "self-reported that he drinks alcohol daily".

The next hearing is scheduled for September 23, but it's said the document reveals the Transformers actor won't be in attendance due to prior commitments working on a movie.

Following his sentencing, LaBeouf's attorney Sarah Chervinsky said the actor was now focused on family life, work and future creative projects.