15 Celebs Who Wouldn’t Have Been As Famous Without Drugs4

By Rebecca Leib, Jul 13, 2010 in Pop Culture, Show News

15 Celebrities Who Wouldn’t Have Been As Famous Without Drugs

Some people are famous for being great actors. Others become famous for being politicians, reality cooking stars or for just being plain ridiculous. Why people are famous, however, is not nearly as intriguing as what they do with this fame. Unfortunately, many celebrities wouldn’t have stayed in the spotlight without questionable (and salacious) lifestyles, like drug addiction and drug dealing. The KoldCast TV dramatic series, Luke 11:17, for instance, follows a famous inspirational speaker who copes with his own collection of addictions and demons. Now, let’s take a look at some “celebrities” who wouldn’t have experienced as much fame if it weren’t for their sordid, drug-addled past.

Luke 11:17, Episode 1: Crucified Between Two Thieves

1. James Frey

This American writer felt the controversial heat of his memoir (or creative non-fiction, depending on your point of view), “A Million Little Pieces,” which documents his addiction and rehabilitation. His foray into the world of drugs inspired the bestselling book and was also an excuse to Oprah as to why some pivotal parts weren’t really true (you can’t remember a whole lot when blitzed!). This controversy culminated in a lawsuit and more scrutiny into other so-called “memoirs.” (But Frey still got to keep his money.)

2. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore was a washed up child star… and that’s where her fame may have ended. To her benefit, her drug addictions as a teen and pre-teen brought her controversial fame. After two trips to rehab, Barrymore found the motivation to clean up her career. With a new outlook on life and a crucial kick in the ass, she found a way to bring her career back to life!

3. Lindsay Lohan

Do you remember the last film little Lindsay did? Yeah, me neither. Though she was once a budding film starlet, Lohan is now known for violating probation, doing coke and drinking out on the town. Though she’s been to rehab, she’s back in the spotlight for her 2007 DUI charge, and now she’s going to jail for 90 days. Let’s hope her career can outlive hard time.

4. Anna Nicole Smith

Though she was a model and reality TV star, her sordid death overshadowed anything she did in life. Smith was found dead in a Hard Rock Cafe hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, not long after the tragic, drug-related death of her son, Daniel. Smith’s autopsy found her to have ingested multiple drugs on the night of her death. Her persona, which often seemed “off,” and her death, clearly pointed to her longstanding relationship with drugs.

5. Manuel Noriega

This Panamanian dictator was also one of the biggest and most famous drug dealers the world has ever seen! He became famous in America for his convictions on drug trafficking, racketeering and money laundering charges, and for his subsequent trial in 1992. After all these years, his name is still synonymous with drug boss.

6. Kate Moss

Though she’s been featured on over 300 magazine covers, it’s this fashion model’s seedy history that keeps her in the limelight. Though tabloids only rumored Moss used cocaine, the Daily Mirror showed photographs of Moss snorting a white substance off of a table. Though charges were dropped, Kate’s reputation was permanently tarnished – and yet she’s still one of the most famous supermodels to date.

7. Snoop Dogg

This rapper and Long Beach native was always talented, but it’s his utter love for weed that made him a standout on the celebrity scene. He’s been busted several times for possession as well as for just plain “reeking” of it! Still, this celebrity is hotter than ever, in a haze of his own happy smoke.

8. Tila Tequila

She was a MySpace phenomenon and had her own reality dating show showcasing her bisexuality. Now? She’s pretty much known for her drug use and publicity stunts. This Texan allegedly does as many drugs as she Twitter-shouts for attention.

9. Mischa Barton

Yeah, she was on the hit series The O.C. Then she did drugs. She’s in a Lohan phase of her life – getting press for drug use more so than actually acting. Though her career is on stall, Barton is staying busy with arrests for DUI and possession of marijuana, as was the case in 2007. Since then, well, she still looks like a party girl on hiatus.

10. Pablo Escobar

This Columbian drug lord is known as the world’s most notorious criminal. One of the most elusive cocaine traffickers the world had ever seen, Escobar rose from poverty and obscurity to be the most powerful man in Colombia. But, like most powerful figures, the tides must turn. Escobar was killed by rebel forces in 1993, from a fatal shot to his ear. And, we’re still talking about him now.

11. Corey Haim

Haim had been struggling with drugs ever since he was a child star, in such films as “Lucas” and “The Lost Boys.” Sadly, his untimely death earlier this year was found to be the result of a bad mix of prescription medication. No doubt, he was a child star but his living legend was one of loneliness and drug use, which became his legacy.

12. Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson was a prolific writer and coined the phrase “gonzo journalism.” What inspired him? Drugs and booze! His unique, passionate and often manic ways of writing and expressing himself was a result of his drug usage and, of course, creative genius. Still, Thompson struggled with his drug use and in 2005, Thompson shot himself in the head. The world mourns his loss and his larger-than-life persona.

13. Jeremy London

Yeah, yeah, London and his twin brother were actors, but more importantly, Jeremy London made up a CRAZY story about a guy kidnapping him and making him use all kinds of drugs. Then, said dude dropped him off at home! Yeah, I think it’s pretty unbelievable, too. Recently, London’s family has gone on the record to say that London, who has struggled with drug addiction, is STILL struggling. Surprise.

14. River Phoenix

River Phoenix, a promising young actor in the 80’s, was known for such films as “Stand By Me” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Still, the way he lived and died makes him a tragic symbol of drug addiction. Though he had been known in life as being squeaky clean and for being an advocate for many causes, his sudden death at the Viper Room in 1993 exposed him as a heroin addict.

15. Amy Winehouse

Ah, another promising talent taken down by drugs and alcohol. But by taken down, I also mean thrust into the spotlight! This British musician won numerous honors for her second album, “Back to Black” but followed up with being intoxicated in public. Her battles with substances that include vicodin, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol (to name just a few) have made her into a household name for all the wrong reasons.

Luke 11:17, Episode 2: Don’t Invade Other’s Space

Luke 11:17, Episode 3: We Are What We Think About All Day Long

Watch more episodes of Luke 11:17

Rebecca Leib received her BFA in Fine Art and MFA in writing and hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a Los Angeles based comedian and writer. Her work can be seen in the pages of many print and online publications, including Beautiful/Decay, Artillery Magazine, Blackbook, Tvgasm, Metrowize and Dailyfill. She has performed at the Second City Studio Theatre, UCB-LA, IOWest and the improv, and can often be seen brooding at sidewalk cafes.