“I went into work still drunk”: Daniel Radcliffe Blames His Alcoholism on Harry Potter Co-Star, Had to Be Helped Reach Home Every Day
The Harry Potter series brought many talented actors into the Hollywood industry, including the titular character played by Daniel Radcliffe. The journey that started as a child actor made him one of the top-notch stars who gained international fame and critical acclaim through the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy novel.
Also Read: Playing Harry Potter Was Embarassing Says Daniel Radcliffe
Even though the franchise brought him immense fame, he opened up about how the movie series turned him into an alcoholic, especially emphasizing on his Sorcerer’s Stone co-star, who had a huge impact on his alcoholism.
Daniel Radcliffe Blames Late Richard Harris for His Drinking Habits
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The late Hollywood star, Richard Harris was an acting legend who was known for his drinking habits. Due to that, his Harry Potter co-star, Daniel Radcliffe also decided to walk on the same path that the legend did. Back in 2012, he shared in an interview with Mirror UK how his drinking habits were majorly impacted because of the former.
“Harry Potter put me around people like the actor Richard Harris and I heard all their amazing stories about their drunken nights. That was what I was desperately trying to pursue.”
However, his drinking habits became severe which led to blackouts.
“But I was a really annoying, loud, inappropriate, messy drunk. I’m good fun for the first four drinks and after that it’s a rapid, rapid decline into where I have to be helped home. Blackout was kind of my thing.”
For the unversed, he started drinking in his late teen years. He even confessed to being under the influence of booze while filming the Harry Potter film series.
Daniel Radcliffe’s Confession of Being Drunk On The Set of Harry Potter
In an interview with Heat magazine via Reuters, in 2012, the actor admitted having shown up drunk on the sets of the highly successful Warner Bros films though he never drank on set.
“I can honestly say I never drank at work on ‘Harry Potter,’” admitting his “very addictive personality,” he added, “I went into work still drunk, but I never drank at work.”
He added,
“I can point to many scenes where I’m just gone,” adding, “Dead behind the eyes.”
He told in a 2020 interview with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, how boozing helped him to cope with the celebrity status he acclaimed at a young age.
“A lot of drinking that happened towards the end of Potter and for a little bit after it finished, it was panic, a little bit not knowing what to do next – not being comfortable enough in who I was to remain sober.”
The habit is long gone as the actor is now sober and enjoys his life without having to turn to alcohol, which he himself admitted. It eventually happened because of the people around him along with his “own decision” to overcome his addiction.
Source: Mirror UK
