20 Actors Who Admitted to Being High During Their Most Famous Scenes

To truly become their characters, actors sometimes push boundaries, blending their own lives with the roles they play. Some, known as method actors, go to extreme lengths, even using drugs or alcohol to feel more connected. Others found themselves intoxicated due to the environment on set or personal issues they were facing. These situations have led to some of the most unforgettable – and sometimes wild – scenes in movie history. Here’s a look at twenty actors who have confessed to performing while under the influence.

Jack Nicholson – ‘Easy Rider’ (1969)

Jack Nicholson became a star thanks to his role as a lawyer battling alcoholism who embarks on a motorcycle journey. One memorable scene involved the characters smoking marijuana and talking about aliens. Nicholson later revealed that the cast actually smoked real cannabis during filming to make the scene feel more genuine. He admitted, however, that doing so repeatedly made it difficult for him to remember his lines.

Jennifer Lawrence – ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

In this comedy about a looming comet, Jennifer Lawrence played a scientist trying to alert everyone to the danger. She asked the director if she could smoke marijuana before filming a scene where her character was supposed to be under the influence, wanting to make her performance feel realistic. Lawrence said the entire crew maintained a professional environment while she filmed the scene while high.

Brad Pitt – ‘True Romance’ (1993)

Brad Pitt played a funny, laid-back character named Floyd – a couch-bound stoner – and really committed to the role. He actually smoked a lot of marijuana before filming to convincingly portray Floyd’s relaxed and detached personality. It worked – the performance is still beloved by fans.

Carrie Fisher – ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Carrie Fisher, best known for playing Princess Leia in the original Star Wars films, struggled with personal challenges throughout her life. She openly discussed using cocaine while filming the scenes on the ice planet Hoth as a way to manage the stress of production. Fisher also shared a story about a night of partying with Harrison Ford and The Rolling Stones before filming the Cloud City scenes. They showed up on set exhausted and still feeling the effects of the party.

Daniel Radcliffe – ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ (2009)

Daniel Radcliffe became famous as the lead actor in a hugely popular fantasy series, and he’s spoken candidly about battling alcohol abuse during filming. He confessed to sometimes arriving on set hungover, though he never drank while working. Looking back at some scenes, he can clearly see the effects of his struggles in his performance.

Shia LaBeouf – ‘Charlie Countryman’ (2013)

Shia LaBeouf is famous for fully committing to his roles and deeply preparing for each character. To realistically portray a character experiencing an acid trip, he actually took the drug himself. He believed experiencing the effects firsthand would make his performance more authentic. The film crew had to be very careful and manage the situation closely to keep everyone safe while filming, as his reactions were unpredictable.

Seth Rogen – ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’ (2008)

Seth Rogen is well-known for his comedic roles often centered around marijuana use, and he’s been open about his own cannabis consumption. He once revealed he heavily used cannabis before filming a painful scene, believing it helped him perform the physical comedy and spontaneous dialogue. This relaxed attitude frequently comes across in his characters, even when it’s not specifically written into the script.

Martin Sheen – ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

The film opens with Captain Willard experiencing a breakdown in a Saigon hotel room. During this unplanned scene, Martin Sheen was genuinely intoxicated and struggling with intense emotions. He actually punched a mirror, cutting himself, and the cameras kept recording. Director Francis Ford Coppola decided to include the footage because it felt brutally honest and unsettling.

Billy Bob Thornton – ‘Bad Santa’ (2003)

In this darkly funny holiday movie, Billy Bob Thornton played a Santa Claus who was struggling with depression and alcoholism. Interestingly, Thornton was actually drunk while filming the scene where his character falls on an escalator. He wanted to realistically show how messy and out-of-control the character was, and felt being intoxicated helped him achieve that. It added a raw, believable quality to an otherwise outlandish situation.

Ethan Embry – ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ (1998)

Ethan Embry starred as the main romantic character in a popular teen movie from the late 1990s. He later shared that he was heavily involved with marijuana use during filming. Embry confessed to being high for almost every scene and explained that his distant, unfocused look in the movie wasn’t intentional acting—it was simply the result of being under the influence.

Robert Downey Jr. – ‘Home for the Holidays’ (1995)

Before becoming a huge star in the Marvel movies, Robert Downey Jr. battled serious addiction. He’s spoken about being on drugs while filming a movie directed by Jodie Foster, and she heartbreakingly told him his performance was good even while he was using. This was a very difficult time in his life, and a low point before he got sober.

John Belushi – ‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980)

John Belushi was a hugely energetic comedian, but his performances often relied on heavy drug use. His co-star, Dan Aykroyd, has said that cocaine was common on set to help everyone stay awake during late nights. Belushi himself had trouble staying focused and alert while filming because of his inconsistent physical condition. The production became well-known for being delayed and for the unpredictable behavior of its main star.

Robert Shaw – ‘Jaws’ (1975)

Robert Shaw’s performance of the USS Indianapolis monologue is legendary, and he went to extreme lengths to make it believable. He persuaded director Steven Spielberg to allow him to drink actual alcohol during filming to portray his character Quint’s exhaustion. The first attempt proved disastrous – Shaw became completely incapacitated and had to be helped off set. However, he returned the next day, battling a hangover, and flawlessly delivered the now-famous speech in just one take.

Margot Robbie – ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ (2013)

I was so impressed with Margot Robbie in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’! It was really her big break, and I remember hearing how incredibly nervous she was about filming that first nude scene with Leonardo DiCaprio. Apparently, she needed a little something to calm her nerves – a crew member actually offered her tequila at nine in the morning! It sounds crazy, but it clearly worked, because she ended up delivering a really bold and fearless performance. It’s amazing how she handled the pressure.

Denise Richards – ‘Wild Things’ (1998)

Okay, so I remember this movie – it was one of those early erotic thrillers that everyone was talking about, mainly because of this really famous pool scene with Denise Richards. Apparently, it was super awkward for her and Neve Campbell to film! She actually confessed they were both having tequila and wine beforehand just to get through it. I guess they needed a little liquid courage! Honestly, that scene became iconic – one of those moments that really defined nineties cinema, whether you liked it or not.

The Beatles – ‘Help!’ (1965)

The band, famous for their innovative music, was heavily experimenting with marijuana while filming their second movie. Ringo Starr has said they were often high during the shoot and frequently forgot what they were supposed to say. He remembers scenes filled with uncontrollable laughter that caused many takes to be ruined. The director had to cleverly edit around these moments to complete the film.

Kevin Spacey – ‘American Beauty’ (1999)

As a film buff, I always find behind-the-scenes stories fascinating, and this one about American Beauty is a great example. Kevin Spacey, playing that iconic suburban dad having a bit of an existential moment, actually was high during the garage scene where he smokes! Director Sam Mendes intentionally let it happen, wanting a truly authentic and giddy reaction from Spacey for that key scene. Apparently, it worked a little too well – Spacey just lost it with uncontrollable laughter, and Mendes thankfully kept it in! It really adds a layer to the moment, knowing what was actually happening with the actor.

Olivia Wilde – ‘Drinking Buddies’ (2013)

To create a realistic feel for this low-budget comedy, the actors actually drank real beer while filming. Olivia Wilde shared that this often left them feeling pleasantly tipsy, which boosted their improvisation skills but also made the long days of shooting very tiring. Ultimately, the film captures a very authentic and relatable portrayal of social drinking.

Anna Kendrick – ‘Drinking Buddies’ (2013)

Anna Kendrick filmed a movie with Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson at a real craft brewery. She was surprised to learn the beer they used in the scenes was actual beer, not a fake version. During one scene where her character played a drinking game, she accidentally became intoxicated. Afterward, she was grateful the camera operators were able to keep the shot steady despite her difficulty maintaining composure.

Snoop Dogg – ‘Starsky & Hutch’ (2004)

Snoop Dogg starred as Huggy Bear in this funny remake of the original TV show. Owen Wilson, his co-star, mentioned that Snoop was consistently under the influence of marijuana during filming. Snoop was so good at playing the character that he even made Ben Stiller laugh while they were acting in scenes together, breaking Stiller’s concentration. His natural, relaxed demeanor, which came from being high, added a unique charm to the role that another actor might not have been able to capture.

Please share which of these behind-the-scenes stories surprised you the most in the comments.

2025-11-25 10:46