In 2003, the actor opened up to Playboy about being a recovering alcoholic. Gerard Butler spoke to Men’s Journal in 2012 about being 15 years sober then. He said he went to rehab before he could reach full-blown pill addiction. “Sixteen years ago … I crashed and washed ashore on the banks of sobriety,” he said. He also admitted that it “took me a long time to fundamentally, deeply, without a hint of doubt, admit to myself that I am an alcoholic.” “There was definitely a time when I was coming out of ‘Potter’ and I was into the real world, suddenly I was in a world where I’m not going to have that consistency anymore,” he said.
The problem is that these street opioids are often counterfeit versions that contain other substances like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine that’s why a minute amount may cause an overdose. Many people do not experience life-threatening symptoms following alcohol withdrawal, but chronic substance users generally celebrities who died from alcohol experience more severe symptoms. In Ellis’ case, his family revealed his private struggles with alcohol to the Hollywood Reporter because he “would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others.” The following table outlines the death of notable celebrities and athletes who have had drugs or alcohol implicated in their deaths.
He said that from the ages of 18 to 29, he was a “heavy smoker, heavy drinker, drug addict, terrible eater, and philanderer.” The stories of famous alcoholics we’ve outlined in this article demonstrate the impact that addiction can have on individuals, regardless of their fame, success, or social status. Unfortunately, history has seen many brilliant minds lost to this disease so it’s up to the famous alcoholics who got sober to serve as an inspiration to others to seek help and prioritize their mental health. Everyone was shocked when Eva Mendes checked herself into rehab for alcohol abuse in 2008.
Following Amy Winehouse’s untimely passing in 2011, it was discovered that she had died without a will, leaving behind an estate that was worth an estimated $4.66 million. Since there was no documentation about her wishes to distribute her estate, it all went to her parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse, according to USA Today. Unfortunately, some stars pass away without a will, leaving major questions about who will manage the estate. It often leads to intense court battles among their families, some which go on for years.
Daniel Radcliffe, best known for his role as Harry Potter, is yet another one of the many celebrities who are recovering alcoholics. The 18th President of the United States of America, Ulysses S. Grant, is one of the most famous functioning alcoholics of the modern age as his diseases caused concerns about his ability to lead the country. When it comes to famous alcoholics in history, the story of the American astronaut Buzz Aldrin who was the second person to walk on the moon is one worth sharing.
The film—and the attention it garnered—shifted Renfro’s career into high gear almost immediately. He went on to star in other ’90s movies like Disney’s “Tom and Huck” and 1996’s “Sleepers,” but Renfro struggled to recreate the success of his film debut and was coping with substance use issues. After his long-fought battle with the industry, the alleged sexual abuse he endured, and dealing with drug addiction, Haim died at 38 from complications caused by pneumonia in 2010. An autopsy report indicated his prolonged drug use may have weakened his heart, which was enlarged when he died. Kurt Russell, Raven-Symoné, and Neil Patrick Harris are some of the many child actors who have thrived well into adulthood.
In the 1970s, alcoholism was still seen as a taboo topic, particularly for women, but Betty Ford’s openness about her struggles helped to break down the stigma surrounding addiction and encouraged others to seek help. Four years after her rehabilitation, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center, a treatment facility for substance abuse which is operational to this day. Famous pop/rock musician Billy Joel has admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse in his adult life. Drinking has, apparently, gotten in the way of his career and personal relationships. Fellow musician (and frequent touring partner) Elton John begged Joel to get treatment for alcoholism.