John Goodman struggled with alcoholism and depression for most of his life, describing himself as looking like a “walking heart attack.” He admitted, “nothing” could stop him from drinking once he decided to do so. Despite these challenges, Goodman has fought back and overcome his demons.
On June 20, 2022, Goodman turned 70. Before his fame in movies like *The Flintstones* and *The Big Lebowski*, he faced painful personal issues, especially his battle with alcoholism which lasted over 30 years. In 2012, he acknowledged that drinking affected his acting, impacting his “temperament, memory, [and] depression.”
By 2015, Goodman reflected on how “bad” his drinking had become, admitting, “there’s many times I could have gone under. Not overdosed, but… well… misadventure.” He got sober in 2007, but it remained a daily struggle, even dreaming about drinking bourbon.
He emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement to avoid triggers, admitting, “I don’t think anything on God’s green Earth could stop me if I really wanted to drink.” He also highlighted the “constant threat of unemployment” in his acting career as a factor in his drinking.
Goodman ultimately found new ways to cope and has continued to thrive despite his past struggles.
