Marvel Villain Opens Up About What Finally Made Him Get Sober
As you likely know, Hollywood is littered with tales of alcoholism, drug addiction, and redemption, exemplifying the age-old adage that the stars are just like us. During a recent podcast interview, Thanos actor Josh Brolin told the story of how he was finally able to overcome his addiction and seek help, despite facing numerous so-called “rock bottom” moments. According to Brolin, his entire life changed after sharing a tender moment with his 99-year-old grandmother, who was on her deathbed at the time.
A Smile Changed Everything
Brolin revealed a story about a time when he woke up following a bender, with no knowledge of where he left his vehicle, like a super sad real-life rendition of Dude Where’s My Car. As Josh Brolin explained, this occurrence was not unusual for him, and had probably happened hundreds of times over the course of his years-long battle with drug addiction. After peeling himself off of the road and visiting his dying grandmother, the Thanos actor claims a simple smile from the family matriarch put it all into perspective for him.
“My grandmother, who was 99 at the time, picked her head up and looked at me and smiled, and that was it,” Brolin explained, before continuing “I was done. I said, ‘If this woman could get through 99 years on life’s terms, how dare me?'” From that point onward, Josh Brolin claims that he has never had an extreme compulsion to drink, especially after completing a rehab program in 2013.
Brolin’s Addiction
Josh Brolin continued to explain that he was 45-years-old when he shared in the warm smile of his grandmother for the final time, which made him feel as though he had spent half his life living in sin, leaving hope for him to live a second life clean and sober. By then, Brolin had been in jail 9 times, lost countless friends to drug addiction and alcoholism, and partied more than most of his contemporaries combined. The Dune: Part Two star also clarified that he had experimented with hard drugs that are known to be lethal before reaching the age of 15.
Opening Up To Ted Danson
Josh Brolin opened up about his journey during a sit-down interview with fellow thespians Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson, during a taping of the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast. While most episodes of the pod are dedicated to rewatching episodes of Cheers and revisiting the production of the classic sitcom, the duo frequently have special guests join them to offer their own insight into show business, as well as their relationship to the series.
Josh Brolin, who has been acting since he was a child in 1985’s The Goonies, had plenty to say about the industry and the ways that acting impacted his sobriety over the years.
Over 10 Years Sober
Today, Josh Brolin has over 10 years of sobriety under his belt, and serves as an inspiration to those in recovery and those seeking to get sober. When asked about any lingering desire to drink, he succinctly responded “My life now is better than my greatest romance of any drink I could have.”
If Thanos Can…
If you or someone you know is seeking help for a problem with addiction, there are many avenues which you can follow. If Josh Brolin could find the strength at 45 to kick a decades-long drug habit before going on to stomp out the Avengers in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, rest assured that you can do the same.
Source: Where Everybody Knows Your Name
