Daniel Radcliffe has proven his mettle by providing fans with a series of outstanding projects. But, many would agree that his titular role in the Harry Potter franchise is that one role that we just can’t forget. He had donned the character for years since an early age which led him to global stardom. This is the reason why his image as a wizard is still fresh in our minds. But, it also affected him to go on the dark side in real life.
However, he is not the only one to suffer from the addiction as his co-star and idol, Gary Oldman also went down the same path once.
Daniel Radcliffe Got Candid About His Alcohol Addiction
Daniel Radcliffe is now sober but becoming a household name with the Harry Potter series highly affected him which led him to seek his escape through alcohol. He shared in an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s latest Desert Island Discs via The Independent,
“If I went out and if I got drunk, I’d suddenly be aware of there being interest in that because it’s not just a drunk guy, it’s ‘Oh, Harry Potter’s getting drunk in the bar.’”
He further mentioned that his role amused many which sometimes was “a slightly mocking interest. It’s inherently funny for people.”
Just when his role was close to an end, his worries escalated pushing him deep into the dark hell.
“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.”
However, he has been sober since 2010 which happened all thanks to his genuine efforts and close friends’ support. Even the one whom he idolized, Gary Oldman, also went through the same trouble.
Gary Oldman Romanticized Being Alcoholic
Gary Oldman shares a great bond with the former. The duo got connected due to the popular franchise where he played Sirius Black, godfather to Radcliffe‘s character. Given that the former has huge respect for his senior when it comes to his impeccable acting capabilities, he also has a low time in his life.
Speaking with the LA Times, the 65-year-old actor opened up about his history with alcohol addiction. It came to a point where he romanticized it.
“When I was drinking, I was working and I was remembering lines, so you feel you’re getting away with it, though, deep down, beneath the denial, you know,” Oldman said. “I would sit down and tell the waiter, ‘I’ll have a large vodka tonic. And can you bring it now because I’m an alcoholic. I need it quicker.'”
In the same interview, he mentioned,
“People romanticize it, and even I romanticized it.” He continued, “All my heroes were drinkers or opium addicts, and you get all misty-eyed about these poets and playwrights and actors who were big drinkers. That great line, Dorothy Parker: ‘I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.’ I think it may have been Brendan Behan who said, ‘I’m an alcoholic with a writing problem.’ Now that’s witty. Great lines. But you can’t separate the two. Scott Fitzgerald said, ‘You take the first drink, and the drink takes you.’”
However, that time eventually came to an end in the 1990s. Since then, he has maintained sobriety. The Oscar-winning actor has even warned his young co-star to not go down the path he once been through. All these small efforts eventually helped The Lost City actor to overcome his addiction.
Source: The Independent, LA Times
