Ewan McGregor puts drinking behind him

Looks like Ewan felt the strain of
Star Wars stardom.

Here's a news story from a London newspaper.


EWAN McGregor hit the bottle to cope with depression as his acting career took off, he confessed yesterday.
Movie superstar Ewan, 32, opened his heart about the strains he endured after his profile rocketed when he took the Star Wars role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

After starring in The Phantom Menace in 1999, numerous high-profile film roles fell in the star's lap.

It was during this time, Ewan admitted, he began to feel the pressures of stardom - and started boozing to cope with publicity drives for his films.

This led to depression which compounded his hatred for Star Wars which he branded "the epitome of tedium".

He admitted: "I used to get drunk before meeting journalists.

"I thought it would get me through. But then it leads to you saying things that you just wished you never said - stupid things."

But he said his drinking problems were well behind him now.

The father-of-two told how the impact his role has had worldwide had made him realise how lucky he was.

And he claims he now adores his character. He said: "After Attack Of The Clones, I stopped drinking for interviews. Now I'm very happy to be in them, I really am.

"And I like being Obi-Wan Kenobi. I like it when kids speak to me about it because I remember being that way about the first three Star Wars films myself."

I'm happpy for Ewan. But this story
is a reminder that fame and success
always come with a price.

 

I think this is a big mistake, I found his interviews to be awesome when he was drunk, very forth coming.
I would equate this to a good band quiting drugs and then going to crap.

 

Ewan McGregor rocks. I think he's such a natural, down to earth and nice guy.

 

Ewan's great. He's become one of my favorite actors in the last few years
and I'm really looking forward to seeing
him in the new Tim Burton movie.

What happened to him with the drinking problem is an old sad story in show
business. Pressure, pressure, presssure.

It's a shame that the process
of making a Star Wars film takes such a
toll on him, but special efx films are
always a strain on actors, but I'm glad
he appreciates the opportunities the
Star Wars experience has brought him.

 

So Ewan had an alcohol problem?

That's interesting, because in
AOTC, he sends Anakin to go look
for the assasin in the club, he
goes to "have a drink."

Maybe that's art imitating life.

 

A drunk man's mouth is a sober man's tongue.

 

He's a quitter

No, it's good to see people make a good decision when they can't control something like drinking.

 

If I had to deal with a bunch of entertainment media reporters, I'd probably hit the bottle too. I don't blame him. I'm glad he's got it under control.

 

Karma, why the heck do you type with random hard returns in the middle of your statements?

 

EWAN McGregor hit the bottle to cope with depression as his acting career took off

Boofreakinghoo...

 

Good for you, Ewan! *hugs Ewan*

Dude, I have so been there! I mean, I'm not an actress, nor do I have a drinking problem, but depression-I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and when I first started college, I had a breakdown of sorts.

I know exactly what it's like, and it SUCKS.

Because I'm on meds, I don't drink, but quite frankly, I don't think if I would anyways. For starters, the alky-hall makes me sleepy. And more seriously, with my family history (LOTS of alcoholics on both sides of the family), and my disorder, I'd be afraid to start.

Go Ewan! You rock!

 

While I beg to differ that SW wasn't the start of Ewan's "acting career" (have these people even seen Trainspotting?!), I definitely think it would be amazingly hard to suddenly have every ignorant American know who you were just because of that. I'm glad Ewan's trying to cope with it in better ways now, though. And honest as usual. You rule man.

-sj loves kevin spacey

 

He's still drinking, just not getting liquored up for interviews. Hardly newsworthy, "Man drinks slightly less often".

 

Oh I know that but I'm just glad he's coming to terms with SW stardom. Heaven knows SW fans are creepy.

-sj loves kevin spacey

 

QGM:

Ewan: Not that I think there's a chance in hell you'll read this, but the best of luck to you. I've dealt with bipolar disorder and addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers myself, and the decision to say "OK, I've been in enough pain--I surrender, I want to put this behind me" is a very courageous one to make, especially in a world that treats you like a leper (or a crybaby) if you have any sort of addiction.

*hugs*

 

Well, I think Ewan was very brave in admitting it, and I hope his career goes in the path he wants it to go in!

 

Boofreakinghoo...

So I suppose only 'normal' people are allowed to suffer from depression.

Just because he has a successful career (after working hard toward his goal, like most who have found success), does that mean he doesn't experience natural human emotion and reactions to enormous pressure?

I've grown up with alcoholism, which is rampant on one side of my family, and it is a matter never to be taken lightly. I've watched it ruin the life of someone extremely close to me.

I'm so glad Ewan's realized that drinking won't fix his anxiety and depression problems. It will only increase his troubles.

It's wonderful that he's given up drinking before interviews, a huge accomplishment for someone who leans on liquor in times of struggle. Everyone has their weaknesses and crutches. Now if only he'd give it up completely..

Great thread, Darthkarma.

 

I wouldn't mind putting myself behind him.

[image=http://www.swmcmmj.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hubba.gif]

 

@ SOK.

I wouldn't mind putting Ewan behind me, either.

 

Congrats to Evan...