Alcoholic Celebrities

Alcoholism, like smoking, is a physical addiction affecting the physical health, mental health, and social, familial, or work-related responsibilities of an individual. This can be extremely detrimental to a celebrity’s career, personal life, and public life. Alcohol dominates a person’s life and relationships, threatening to impede the success of countless celebrities, including those featured in this slideshow.

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Truman Capote

The American novelist and short story writer admitted to his alcoholism, drug addiction, and homosexuality. He underwent treatment in the 1970s, but his health was so compromised that he died in 1984 at the age of 59. Capote’s drunken behavior is legendary, and although he would stop drinking for several months at a time, he could not stay away from alcohol.

Billy Joel

The Piano Man’s drinking continues to be problematic, and has damaged his career and personal relationships. His drummer split from the band after 30 years because he could no longer handle Joel’s excessive drinking. This year, Elton John dished out some tough love to his longtime friend, saying that Joel needs to check into "tough" rehab. Despite John’s honesty, Billy Joel has still failed to quit drinking.

Stephen King

The horror-story writer nearly died of a drug and alcohol overdose in his mid-40s. King’s family and friends staged an intervention, dumping evidence of his addictions taken from the trash including beer cans, cigarette butts, cocaine, painkillers, and marijuana in front of him. King immediately sought help and quit all forms of drugs and alcohol in the late 1980s, and has been sober since. 

Robin Williams

The infamous comedian was addicted to cocaine and alcohol early in his career, but quit when friend and fellow comedian, John Belushi, died of a cocaine overdose in 1982. When he began slipping into alcoholism again in 2006, he immediately sent himself to rehab. Today, he's alcohol-free. 

Betty Ford

Betty Ford, the wife of former President Gerald Ford, suffered from alcoholism and addiction to painkillers. She raised public awareness of addiction by confessing to her long-time battle with alcoholism in the 1970s. When she finally recovered, she established the Betty Ford Center to help other sufferers overcome their substance and alcohol abuse.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson began drinking at 13 and has said that alcoholism runs in his family. As a manic-depressive, alcohol aggravates his condition, and his unruly behavior has prompted accusations of homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, and misogyny. In the past, Gibson has sought professional help and attended AA meetings. He finally went into rehab after being arrested for a DUI in 2006.

Lindsay Lohan

The young starlet, like many child actresses, turned to drugs and alcohol as a response to her high-pressured life. Lindsay has to work hard to stay sober and has already had one failed attempt with rehab. She was forced to wear an alcohol detection bracelet to monitor her alcohol consumption.

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff has gained fame since his role on Baywatch for being a raging alcoholic. To hold himself accountable for his erratic behavior, he asked his daughter to film his next drunken outburst. She did, and the video has played on countless news programs and across the internet, forcing him to seek serious help for his addiction.

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway is one of the world’s most famous and successful literary alcoholics. He began drinking heavily as a young man, and drank continuously through the years he spent writing his masterpieces. He suffered from severe mental and physical problems as he aged, aggravated by his drinking, and eventually committed suicide in 1961.

Resources for Treating Alcoholism

These celebrities illustrate that alcoholism often accompanies many other mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, and other addictions. Alcohol is often used to self-medicate: to alleviate the stressors found in one’s life. But when this use becomes abusive, it is time to seek treatment. It is important to address the underlying issues in order to treat alcohol addiction. Learn more about alcohol abuse and addiction and explore treatment options to avoid the negative health outcomes.