Shia LaBeouf has had a tumultuous career in Hollywood with many career setbacks due to his prior alcohol addiction and bad temperament. The star of films such as The Transformers (the first three films) franchise has admitted to his many legal troubles and disorderly conduct in public as the result of his alcohol abuse and has been charged by the law a number of times.
But in the recent years, he has turned his life around and started to focus more in his career and living a happy contented life. The reason for this unique change in his life was bought to him by an unlikely friend who inspired him to be a better person.
Zack Gottsagen Forever Changed Shia LaBeouf for the Better
In an interview with The Guardian, where he was promoting his film The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), Shia LaBeouf recalled his past behaviors of public disorderly behavior and his many run ins with the law, and how alcoholism was behind the mess he had made out of his life. His life problems had crept in to his professional side and was on the verge of risking the production of The Peanut Butter Falcon, along with the acting debut of his co star Zack Gottsagen. The debutant who suffered from Down Syndrome was hoping to make a splash with the film and was mad at LaBeouf for maybe ruining his chance at a great start in the industry.
LaBeouf specified how he saw “a sense of truth to Gottsagen on screen he was desperate to act opposite”. He expressed his self guilt and shame that he felt for bringing his personal mess to and letting it affect the filming process and also the fate of a debutant like Gottsagen. He talked about the extent of the damage caused by his personal issues, stating,
“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.”
He mentions Gottsagen as someone who inspired him to be a better person and ultimately let go of his alcohol addiction.
True Inspiration can Come from Unexpected Sources
The story of of Shia LaBeouf and his new found lease of life reminds one of Robert Downey Jr and his comeback after a similar alcohol addiction and troubles with the law. Both are instances where individuals who have deteriorated themselves due to substance abuse and have caused harm and pain to themselves and to others, have a chance at redemption and putting their life back.
LaBeouf, in the same interview also mentioned how a particular scene in the film where his character is overcome by guilt, which he shard with Gottsagen felt too close too home for him and not feel like acting anymore. He says that, “…To be given permission to come into this man’s life and the infractions still come – right then, I’m broken. That’s documentary.””. He has since been sober and has turned his life back around for the good.
What has Shia LaBeouf Been in Recently?
Along with The Peanut Butter Falcon, Shia LaBeouf made his screenplay writing debut with Honey Boy in 2019. The film was based on his childhood and the abusive relationship he had with his father. He also starred in the acclaimed drama Pieces of A Woman (2020), alongside Vanessa Kirby, which chronicled a couple grieving the loss of their child.
He will be next seen in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic sci-fi drama Megalopolis (2024).
Source: The Guardian
