12 Celebrities That Struggled With An Alcohol Addiction

Rates of alcohol abuse in the United States are based on the number of people with a drinking problem who are over the age of 12 years old. This is because many individuals who have an addiction begin using drugs and alcohol long before they ever set foot in high school.

Research continues to show that media exposure to alcohol, including social media influencer content, is associated with earlier initiation of drinking among adolescents.

Yet a good portion of the celebrities who have an alcohol addiction don’t even realize they have a problem. This can be seen by examining a list of the top 12 celebrities who struggled with alcohol addiction.

1. Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe is best-known for his work in the Harry Potter movies for children and teens. What many people don’t know is that the famous child star was often intoxicated before he arrived on the movie sets.

By the time Radcliffe was just 20 years old, he had developed an addiction to alcohol that was so severe it began impacting his ability to work or be around people who were drinking.

Once he realized this, he committed to stopping drinking. He often discusses how difficult it is for him to go to social events where alcoholic beverages flow freely.

2. Carrie Fisher

Before she died in 2016, Carrie Fisher was famous for her acting role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. What made her stand out among most celebrities was her complete honesty about the struggles she had with her bipolar disorder and addiction to alcohol.

While she did try her best to seek help for her mental illness, she mainly depended on alcohol to get through the difficult times of her life. Her struggles with addiction and mental health were well-documented and contributed to ongoing health complications throughout her life.

3. Stephen King

Novelist Stephen King is widely known across the world for his literary work. The vast majority of his novels are gruesome horror stories that make those who read them wonder how he was able to think up so many sadistic tales.

The truth of the matter is that he used drugs and alcohol as part of his daily writing ritual for many years. It was only after his family intervened that he made an effort to stop.

4. Betty Ford

One of the best success stories of a celebrity who was able to stop drinking is based on the life of Betty Ford. Betty was the wife of President Ford, so her struggles were often publicized in the media.

Instead of letting this discourage her, she used it to fuel her sobriety and start the Betty Ford Center, which was one of the first alcohol rehab centers in America to bring awareness to the stereotypes that often surround alcoholism.

5. David Hasselhoff

Famous for his acting roles in the television shows Knight Rider and Baywatch, few knew how severe David Hasselhoff’s alcohol addiction was until a home video was made that showed him intoxicated.

The video quickly spread to television networks and internet websites around the world. Strangely enough, this helped him to become sober because it gave him the push that he needed to begin changing his life.

6. Robin Williams

After Robin Williams committed suicide, those who knew the famous actor and comedian began to talk about some of the struggles they thought could have contributed to his untimely death.

The kind-hearted man loved to make other people laugh and smile, but it was often because he didn’t want them to feel the same sadness and depression that he had lived with since he was a young child.

To deal with these negative emotions, he drank copious amounts of alcohol, which he often combined with cocaine. The damage that this mixture did to his body left him struggling with mental health issues even after he became sober.

After his death, it was revealed that Williams had been suffering from Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disease that was causing significant cognitive and emotional changes. While he had struggled with alcohol use disorder and cocaine use earlier in his life and had been sober for years before his death, it was the undiagnosed dementia that his family and doctors believe contributed most to his decline.

7. Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith currently hosts the television show, Red Table Talk. Her talent has resulted in her performances in numerous acting roles throughout the years. Some also know her because she is married to another famous movie star, Will Smith.

When Jada was young, she struggled with alcoholism and codependency issues. But after being encouraged by her husband to get treatment, she has remained sober for over a decade.

8. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige is best-known for her award-winning songs. But behind her famous singing career is a long-standing struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol. It was only after learning about the death of another famous singer, Whitney Houston, that she finally began to get treatment.

9. Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was once one of the most famous male actors in Hollywood. This ended after his alcohol abuse caused him to act embarrassingly in public on more than one occasion.

The rage-fueled events were threatening and violent. Few wanted to work with him after these incidents. Other actors who know him have done their best to encourage him to become sober. He has spoken publicly about his recovery journey over the years.

10. Samuel L. Jackson

Known for his acting roles in famous movies, like Shaft, it is hard to imagine Samuel L. Jackson as anything but a poised and polished star. Alcohol abuse in celebrities isn’t an easy subject for him to discuss.

Behind his tough persona is a history of substance abuse that began when he was just a teen. Not only did he struggle with alcohol abuse, but he also used more serious drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. After his father died from alcoholism, he became sober. He hasn’t touched drugs or alcohol in over 20 years.

11. Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors and directors, known for his roles in films like Good Will Hunting, Argo, and the DC Universe. Behind his on-screen success, however, has been a long and public struggle with alcohol use disorder.

Affleck has entered rehab multiple times, most recently in 2018, and has been candid in interviews about the ongoing nature of his recovery. He has talked about using alcohol to cope with anxiety and the pressures of fame, and has been open about the fact that recovery is not a single event but a continuous process.

Affleck’s willingness to discuss his relapses publicly, rather than hide them, has made him a meaningful voice in reducing the stigma around seeking repeated treatment.

12. Bradley Cooper

One of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, Bradley Cooper has earned multiple Academy Award nominations for films like Silver Linings Playbook and A Star Is Born. What many fans may not know is that Cooper got sober at age 29, which was before his career had fully taken off.

Cooper has said that alcohol and drug use were making him “so outside of myself” that he barely recognized who he was becoming. Getting sober, he has said, was the single decision that made everything else in his career possible. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t just about avoiding rock bottom; it can be the foundation for a person’s greatest achievements.

Finding Help For Alcohol Addiction

Reading through the list of celebrities who struggled with alcohol addiction, it’s clear that virtually anyone from any background can develop a substance abuse problem. Alcohol abuse in celebrities isn’t something that should be glamorized, because this can encourage children to begin drinking or using drugs at a very early age.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff