Daniel Radcliffe has opened up about being drunk during some scenes in the Harry Potter films, revealing that he used alcohol to cope with the intense pressure of fame at a young age.
Now 36, the actor reflected on his teenage years in an interview with Off Camera, describing the psychological toll of growing up under constant public scrutiny.
He explained that he often felt like he was being watched and started drinking as a way to escape that feeling.
“The quickest way to forget about the fact that you’re being watched is to get very drunk,” he said.
However, the temporary relief soon became a cycle.
“And then as you get very drunk, you become aware that ‘Oh, people are watching more now because now I’m getting very drunk, so I should probably drink more to ignore that more,’” he added.
"I Can Point to Many Scenes Where I’m Just Gone"
While Radcliffe was clear that he “never drank at work,” he admitted to arriving on set still intoxicated from the night before.
“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,” he said, per The Independent.
Despite his struggles, Radcliffe never let his private turmoil affect his performance.
"I loved going to set, and there was never a day where my own [feelings] would affect how I was on set,” he explained.
“There was never a point where I was like, ‘Oh, I wish this hadn’t happened to me, I wish I wasn’t Harry Potter.’”
The Woman in Black actor first spoke publicly about his drinking in 2012 and has been sober since 2010.
He said the decision to quit was his own, though it took several attempts.
“Ultimately, it was my own decision,” he said.
“Like I woke up one morning after a night going like, ‘This is probably not good.’”
Speaking Out for Other Child Stars
Radcliffe also took a moment to defend other young celebrities who’ve faced criticism for public struggles.
“That’s like when people have a go at Justin Bieber and drag racing cars,” he said.
“I’m like, yeah, but stuff could be super crazy for him right now.”
The actor’s candor places him among a long list of performers who’ve admitted to substance use while filming.
From Carrie Fisher’s cocaine use on the set of The Empire Strikes Back to Matthew Perry’s battles during Friends, and André the Giant's drinking to manage pain during The Princess Bride, many stars have revealed the darker side of stardom.
Other actors who’ve admitted to drinking or drug use during filming include Jennifer Lawrence on Catching Fire, Andrew McCarthy in Pretty in Pink, and Norm Macdonald while working on Billy Madison.
Omri Katz even said he was stoned while filming Hocus Pocus, recalling how director Kenny Ortega once asked him outright, “Are you high?” per Buzzfeed.