He is Hollywood royalty: the handsome, silver-haired actor and director celebrated globally for his razor-sharp wit, political activism, and seemingly effortless style. Today, George Clooney lives a refined existence, splitting his time between an impressive Lake Como villa and his British Berkshire estate with his accomplished barrister wife, Amal, and their twins.
Yet, this image of polished decorum is starkly contrasted by the raw, often chaotic reality of his younger self. Before the success of ER catapulted him to superstardom, Clooney spent the 1980s working to build a career in a Hollywood that was, by his own shocking admission, fuelled by drugs and excessive partying.
In a candid interview, the 64-year-old actor has spoken about the less savoury aspects of that era, revealing just how cheaply—and frequently–narcotics were being cut, including the disturbing detail that the cocaine circulating in his social circles was often diluted with an ingredient meant for infants: baby laxative. It’s a confession that offers insight into the challenging early days of a struggling star.
George Clooney’s Gritty Road to Hollywood Stardom
The early 1980s in Los Angeles were a confusing and decadent period for an aspiring actor like Clooney. Having left Kentucky in pursuit of fame, he spent years juggling small roles on forgotten television programmes while trying to navigate the notorious party scene that defined the decade.
Cocaine was ubiquitous, often portrayed in popular culture as a non-addictive, recreational accessory to the high life. Clooney’s insight into this period reveals not only his own experimentation but also the concerning casualness with which hard drugs were viewed before their true destructive nature became widely realised.
The actor acknowledged that he experimented with narcotics in 1982, stating that it was never the crippling addiction some stars face, but admitting that he did participate in the drug culture of the time.
‘Eighty-two, I tried – I did blow and stuff,’ Clooney, 64, confessed. The esteemed actor tried to downplay the severity of his early actions but noted the prevailing denial within the industry at the time. ‘I used to make jokes about how I did too many drugs, but the truth is, it was never a big issue for me at all. And look, there was an episode of Taxi where they’re all doing blow. At the time, it was like, ‘No, this is not like heroin. It’s not addictive.”
This nonchalant view soon shattered as the dangers of cocaine became impossible to ignore, especially when compounded by the truly unsavoury practice of drug dealers using cheap, dangerous additives to bulk up their product. It was a revelation that brought the dark side of the drug into sharp, visceral focus for the future Oscar-winner.
The Shocking Truth Behind George Clooney’s Cocaine Confession
It was the specific anecdote regarding the cutting agent that truly surprised many, providing a bizarre, humorous, yet concerning glimpse into the health hazards young Hollywood was facing. The cheap additive, as Clooney revealed, was a common household product.
‘But then it was like, ‘Oh, well, it’s actually pretty f*ing bad,’ he added. ‘Plus, it was all cut with mannitol. The baby laxative. Everybody would do a line and then take a*s.” This candid detail not only highlights the utter lack of regulation in the drug trade but also offers a dark comedic perspective on the desperate measures partygoers would take, knowingly ingesting a substance designed to cause bowel movements just to chase a fleeting high.
While Clooney insists cocaine was never a ‘big issue’, he did confirm later instances of getting ‘high’, though he noted he doesn’t enjoy cannabis. He explained that marijuana is ‘not my drug,’ but recalled being ‘high’ roughly 15 years ago after consuming weed-filled brownies.
The confessions weren’t limited to narcotics, however. The star has also been searingly candid about the destructive role alcohol has sometimes played. He recently recalled getting ‘blasted’ after experiencing a significant career disappointment: being snubbed for multiple awards following his Broadway debut play, Good Night, and Good Luck.
The public disappointment led to a private binge, which he recounted with his trademark self-deprecating humour. He recalled he ‘came home with Amal, and I was just laughing. We’re lying in bed, and I go, ‘Well, I caught up for all my abstinence in one night.’ ‘I was sick all day the next day – it was hysterical. I was like high school drunk. Like dumba*s drunk.”
This rare, candid look into the life of one of the world’s most glamorous figures ensures that, despite his current pedestal, George Clooney remains grounded by the realities of his journey.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
