Sam Worthington opened up about his sobriety for the first time. In a new interview, the 46-year-old Avatar: The Way of Water star said he nearly lost everything as he privately struggled with al.co.h.ol abuse…
The Australian actor’s alcoholism coincided with his rise to fame. Worthington was relatively unknown until the first Avatar film was released in 2009. Then, he somewhat reluctantly stepped into the leading man role with a string of blockbusters like Terminator Salvation and Clash of the Titans. In 2014, he was arrested for punching a photographer. Worthington said he was never comfortable with the attention that came with his job.
Worthington said he would start drinking in the morning. Before a flight, he’d have four or five glasses of Champagne. His wife, Lara — whom the actor wed in 2014 — took notice.
The Man on a Ledge star added: “I didn’t like who I was. Drinking helped me get through the day.”
Worthington related Australian culture with his impulse to booze.
When asked if he was a mean drunk, Worthington said he was an “emotional drunk.”
Worthington’s wife gave him an ultimatum. “You can do what you want, but I don’t need to be around this,” Lara said. Worthington noted how it was said with love, not anger or disappointment, and got through to him. They now have three sons.
