Alcoholism and melancholy plagued John Goodman for practically his entire life. He acknowledged that, if he had persuaded himself to do so, “nothing” would stop him from having a drink. He also said he appeared to be having a “walking heart attack”. But he has since defeated his demons and survived to tell the tale.
John Goodman, a renowned performer, turned 70. Prior to starring in films like The Flinstones, Blues Brothers, Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, etc., the American star of The Borrowers had been depressed due to some traumatic personal situations.
Throughout his career, Goodman has been frank about his battle with drinking. For more than 30 years, the celebrity battled the sickness. It had a profound impact on his life.
He said that the drinking was “definitely” harming his acting career during an interview in 2012.
“Temperament, Memory, and Depression,” was the response.
He described how “bad” his drinking had gotten.
“I mean, there are a lot of occasions I could have drowned,” Goodman remarked. Not an overdose, but a misadventure, I guess.
The celebrity quit drinking in 2007, but he acknowledged that it was difficult to stay clean every day. He started “having nightmares” about locating some bourbon and downing it at one point.
He would recall: “I’ll go: Hey, I shouldn’t be doing that.
I’ll then say, “Waaah, that’s OK!” You frequently engage in it! You constantly sneak it! I’ll eventually awaken and say, “No, I don’t.” At first, [the voices] worried me. They’re just funny now.