Jack Black Opens Up About Secret Substance Abuse Struggles in His Early Years Related to This Specific Drug

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In a 2015 interview with Parade Magazine to promote the movie Goosebumps, Jack Black shared some of the difficult times he’s faced. He explained that he connected with his character’s challenges on a personal level, which made the film particularly meaningful to him.

Black described working on Goosebumps as a fantastic and enjoyable experience. He explained that the story centers on themes of forgiveness and overcoming the desire for revenge, while also exploring how even negative emotions can inspire creativity. His character is a complex individual with a troubled history and exceptional intelligence, constantly battling his inner struggles – and even facing them in a literal sense.

He acknowledged that his past was filled with difficulty. He remembered a period of great upheaval, explaining that he struggled with drug use and associated with dangerous people. The situation became so threatening that he feared for his safety at school, stating someone he knew wanted to harm him.

Everything started to change when he talked to a guidance counselor. “I told him everything – how I felt terrible about stealing from my mom to buy drugs,” Black recalled. “I cried a lot. It was a huge emotional release, and I felt so much relief. I left feeling amazing, like a massive weight had been lifted. It really changed my life.”

Black shared that early hardships and personal losses have shaped his parenting style. He admitted he sometimes tends to be overprotective, wanting to shield his children from any potential danger. He explained, “Losing a loved one is the most painful experience I can think of.”

The death of his older brother, Howard, in 1989 was particularly difficult for him, as he was only 20 years old at the time. He described Howard, along with his sister Rachel, as a gay sibling who had a profound impact on his life. Howard introduced him to rock music, taking him to his first concert when he was 11 and Howard was 23. He remembers Howard as a lively, talented, and inspiring person who greatly influenced his musical tastes.

Black spoke about the deep pain Howard’s death caused his family. He remembered a slow decline in Howard’s health, emphasizing how young he was – only 31 years old. He said they felt like something incredibly valuable had been stolen from them, and the loss was utterly devastating. While everyone struggled, Black noted that his mother was especially heartbroken and has never fully healed.

Looking back on his life, it’s clear that the challenges and losses Black experienced early on had a profound impact on him. These experiences shaped not only his creative work but also how he lived his life and related to his family.

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2026-01-24 13:44