Classic Hollywood Stars Who Were Drunk At All Times

Behind the dazzling smiles and celluloid perfection of Hollywood’s Golden Age lies a story of profound darkness, one the studios fought to keep buried for decades. In this video, we'll reveal the shocking truths of how the beloved Judy Garland was systematically driven to addiction by her own studio, how the legendary John Barrymore became so desperate he tried to drink perfume, and how the promising starlet Barbara Payton ended her days on a bus stop bench. These are the true, tragic stories of 15 Hollywood icons who were ruled by the bottle, and the secrets they took to the grave. #1 - Richard Burton (The Titan) First on our list is the titan himself, Richard Burton, an actor whose booming voice and immense talent were matched only by his legendary appetites. As one of the highest-paid actors of his time, he lived a life of epic proportions, defined by his fiery, jet-setting romance with the equally famous Elizabeth Taylor. Theirs was a love story for the ages, but it was often fueled by staggering amounts of alcohol. Burton wasn't just a social drinker; he was a man engaged in a lifelong, public affair with the bottle. To understand Burton, you have to understand that for him, drinking was as natural as breathing #2 - Judy Garland (The Sweetheart) Judy Garland was, and remains, America's quintessential sweetheart, the cherubic girl from Minnesota with a once-in-a-generation voice. Her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz made her an international icon, a symbol of youthful innocence and hope for millions. She possessed a raw, heartbreaking talent that could captivate any audience, making her one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's most valuable assets. But the studio that made her a star was also the source of her lifelong torment, engineering a tragedy that began when she was just a teenager. #3 - William Holden (The Golden Boy) William Holden was the definition of Hollywood's "Golden Boy," an impossibly handsome and charismatic star who radiated an easygoing confidence. He was an Oscar-winning actor who anchored timeless classics like Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, and The Bridge on the River Kwai. For decades, he was one of the industry's most reliable and bankable leading men, the picture of success and masculine charm. His life seemed perfect from the outside, but his private battle with alcoholism would lead to one of the most shocking and grim deaths in Hollywood history. #4 - W.C. Fields (The Comedian) W.C. Fields was a true original, a vaudeville juggler who became one of cinema's most iconic comedians. His famous on-screen persona was that of a grumpy, child-hating, and pompous man who always had a drink in his hand and a cynical quip on his lips. He was beloved for his masterful comic timing and his distinctive, nasally drawl. However, his character’s famous love of alcohol was no act; it was a defining, and ultimately fatal, feature of his real life. #5 - Veronica Lake (The Fallen Star) In the early 1940s, there was no star hotter than Veronica Lake. Standing at just four-foot-eleven, she was a sultry and magnetic presence, known for her film-noir roles and her iconic "peek-a-boo" hairstyle that swept over one eye. Her look was so popular and widely imitated that the U.S. government asked her to change it during World War II, fearing female factory workers would get their hair caught in machinery. For a time, she was the absolute pinnacle of Hollywood glamour and style. #7John Barrymore (The Great Profile) John Barrymore was true acting royalty, a member of the legendary Barrymore family and hailed by many as the greatest American actor of his generation. Known as "The Great Profile" for his impossibly handsome features, he was a master of both Shakespearean tragedy on stage and charismatic roles on screen. He possessed a level of talent and prestige that few could ever hope to match. But behind the genius was a devastating, all-consuming addiction that would lead to one of the most pathetic stories in Hollywood history. #8 - Barbara Payton (The Cautionary Tale) In the late 1940s and early 50s, Barbara Payton was a promising starlet with stunning looks and a fiery personality. The blonde bombshell was turning heads and landing roles alongside major stars like James Cagney and Gregory Peck. She seemed to be on the fast track to A-list stardom, catching the eye of powerful men and Hollywood producers alike. But her journey is perhaps Hollywood’s most terrifying and rapid cautionary tale about how quickly a promising career can be annihilated by personal demons.