After watching Heath Ledger in Candy (2006), in which he plays a heroin addict, I wanted to post a story about other actors who played drug addicts and dealt with drug abuse in their lives off the screen. I figured that with so many method actors and the dangerous lure of the Hollywood lifestyle, there would be dozens of examples.
I tried to think of some memorable performances of drug addicts and actors who seemed like they may have been drug abusers at one point or another. Surprisingly, however, it was difficult for me to find anything concrete on most of these guys.
Johnny Depp: Blow (2001) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
Depp played the role of drug abuser/experimenter convincingly in both these films. Here are some other reasons that he was the first to come to mind: 1) He dated infamous coke-head and heroin chic model, Kate Moss; 2) He was very good friends with Hunter S. Thompson who was the writer of Fear and Loathing and a proud drug user; and 3) Even his famous character, Jack Sparrow, is loosely based off of one of the most famous drug users of all time – Keith Richards.
Nicolas Cage: Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Cage won an Oscar for his role as an alcoholic screenwriter who guzzles lethal amounts of alcohol. I thought I would find all these stories about Nic battling the bottle and going to rehab. Although there were stories of Cage abusing drugs and alcohol in his twenties there were no signs of abuse after Leaving Las Vegas. I did find this article that explained how Cage prepared for the role. Cage went to Dublin, Ireland to binge drink for two weeks and had his friend videotape his inebriation to study his speech and physical patterns.
He admitted:
“It was one of the most enjoyable pieces of research I’ve ever had to do for a part.”
Ewan McGregor: Trainspotting (1996)
McGregor struggles with heroin addiction in this classic movie. He is so convincing as a heroin addict in the movie that I was sure there would be stories of past abuse, but there was nothing, zip, nada. The guy is squeaky clean. His only real offense is 2001’s Down with Love.
Benicio Del Toro: Traffic (2001) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1995)
Okay, I’ll admit it, I’ve got nothing more on Del Toro than his face. But seriously, take a look at these pictures. Am I crazy, or does the guy look extremely messed up? I’ll try not to make any assumptions (too late), but I’ll let you be the judge.
Click here for clips of some memorable drug and alcoholic abusing moments in the movies discussed above.
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