Shia LaBeouf is one terrific actor and no amount of debate can ever change that. But despite being one of the most talented stars in the entertainment industry to date, the Transformers star too seems to have his ups and downs in life. An action hero who has bagged roles in several super hit movies and who is widely renowned for his complete impersonation of his character-like method acting, the 37-year-old too has undergone a hard time in his life back when he got a bit too involved in drugs.
But there was someone who helped, someone who took a chance on him, someone who believed in him and eventually ended up healing him. And that someone was none other than Zack Gottsagen, the renowned actor with Down syndrome.
Shia LaBeouf Underwent A Hard Time When He Got Arrested During The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
This dates back to when Shia LaBeouf was busy filming The Peanut Butter Falcon with Zack Gottsagen. At that time, although the shoot was going fine, the Transformers star found himself getting arrested while drunk at 4′ in the morning for the charges of disorderly conduct, obstruction, and, and public drunkenness. Referring to that incident, the 37-year-old said in an interview,
“On paper, I’m a f–k up.” He says this matter-of-factly. “I’m not Tom Hanks. Search my name on the internet and you’re going to find a list of scary things. So it was a risk for them.”
He furthermore revealed how he highly regretted the entire incident – getting drunk as well as getting arrested.
“I can’t look anyone in the eye. And I can’t come to terms with it. And no one’s talking to me and I’m talking to no one, and I know my life has exploded again. And I am in deep shame.”
But while he found himself in despair and agony over what he had done which even nearly jeopardized his movie along with Gottsagen’s one chance of starring in one, Shia LaBeouf also found a friend who helped him overcome his addiction and ended up saving him.
Shia LaBeouf Believes Co-Star And Friend Zack Gottsagen Helped Save Him
Since he got arrested on plenty of charges, Shia LaBeouf’s case’s legal fallout remained uncertain, and so did his and Zack Gottsagen‘s chance to star in a movie together. Recalling how he felt after realizing his one chance of starring in a movie was in danger, Gottsagen said,
“Don’t blow this for me, I said. I was mad. Angry. Frustrated.” Both him and LaBeouf cried. “And I was worried about Shia doing the wrong things, being out in the middle of the night.”
But the pair managed to get out of this mess too, and the shoot started once again. They had to shoot a scene in a boat where LaBeouf’s character was overcome by guilt. The duo was sitting together, waiting for them to start the scene without knowing that the camera was already rolling, and Gottsagen instinctively reached out to lay his hand on LaBeouf’s back to find the latter crumpled into him.
Finding solace in his companionship, the Transformers star realized how bothered he was by his close friend’s disappointment in him for drinking and promised Gottsagen that he would not drink throughout the time the shoot goes. And the shoot was done and both of them went ahead with their lives and LaBeouf went for two years without drinking.
Call it what you want – fate, will, or destiny – Zack Gottsagen, a man with a disability, did help save Shia LaBeouf in one way or another through their movie together, and the latter will forever remain grateful to him for that.
You can watch The Peanut Butter Falcon on Amazon Prime.
Source: The Guardian
