Samuel L. Jackson opens up on addiction, how family’s love helped him

Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson battled addiction in the early days of his career and has revealed how the love of his family helped him conquer it.

Speaking alongside his wife LaTanya Richardson in this week’s issue of People magazine, the Star Wars actor disclosed that he was addicted to drugs, adding that he was not emotionally present for his family.

The star, who is considered the highest-grossing actor of all time as his films have collectively made almost $18.5 billion, compared himself to a troll while recalling his dark days.

“I had basically moved into the basement of our brownstone. I was like the troll in the basement, and every now and then I’d come upstairs and hover around to do something. I was addicted and being crazy”, he shared.

His wife LaTanya talked him into checking into rehab and made calls to book him a spot.

“She didn’t have to try to fix me”, he said. “She could’ve just said, ‘Get out,’ and left me into the world, let me go and be whatever I was going to be.”

LaTanya, on her part, said that leaving him at that stage of his life was not an option for her.

“I couldn’t do that because I felt as though God had spoken to me and said, ‘Now, you can’t leave this young man like this.

“Give him some help. And then, if you feel like leaving afterward, we’ll talk about it”, she said.

The couple has been married for 41 years and when not working, love to spend time with their daughter, Zoe (39), a TV producer.

“She makes me laugh like nobody else,” stated 73-year-old Jackson. “Having her home during the pandemic was such a blessing. She was making us lemon bars, feeding us, and making us laugh.” 

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