It’s barely been a week since everyone transitioned into the new year after a tumultuous 2022 which saw too many unfortunate events happen. Times are changing and everyone’s panicking because of the climate disaster and impending war occurring due to geopolitical confrontations, and just like Daniel Radcliffe they’re dealing with all the chaos by drinking it all away.
Coming to the point, people indulge in vices to forget or cope with pressure and other related problems. The realization that his career might come to a close after the release of the last Harry Potter movie in 2011 really took a toll on Radcliffe’s mental health, as he spiraled into alcoholism to cope with the nearing end of probably his biggest role in Hollywood ever.
Daniel Radcliffe Turned To Alcohol As Harry Potter Stint Came To An End
The release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was the final installment in the decade-spanning Harry Potter franchise. It was the end of an era for fans of the franchise who had closely followed the adventures of the titular character, along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
The three respective actors who played in these roles- Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, had gone from child stars to fully grown versions of their characters in the franchise.
When a fanbase grows up with a cast that grows in age along with them, then the connection is simply just deeper between fans and the stars of the TV series or movie. This is why Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was the worst blow to the Harry Potter franchise and its fanbase, as it all had come to an end.
However, the main star and face of the series, Radcliffe, wasn’t taking the end of his time as the popular J.K Rowling character too well.
During an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the 33-year-old actor said he initially began drinking to cope with the pressure and fame of being a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. He further added that he turned it up a notch when he got doubtful about his future after the end of the Harry Potter movie series-
“A lot of drinking happened toward 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.”
Thankfully Radcliffe ended up getting roles in less-popular but as good movies such as Swiss Army Knife Man, and he has now settled well into television series like Miracle Workers.
It Got So Bad That Daniel Radcliffe Would Show Up Drunk On Set
Alcoholism has for long been the go-to coping method for movie stars and rockstars as they battle with the pressures of being a celebrity and the eerieness of every move of their life being perceived by the public.
Daniel Radcliffe, unfortunately, turned to such vices as he got more popular due to the fame that the Harry Potter movie series had amassed. In fact, it got so bad that the Weird: The Al Yankovic Story star would show up drunk on set.
He told Heat Magazine in 2012 of his drinking habit, saying-
“I went into work still drunk, but I never drank at work. I can point to many scenes where I’m just gone. Dead behind the eyes.”
Fans would be thankful that Radcliffe recovered from such a low point in his life and eventually got back into acting as he has so much more to accomplish as an actor!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
