Jason Wagner
Actors often drink real beer on set, but it's usually non-alcoholic. For instance, in Beerfest, actors drank O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer. In Drinking Buddies, Anna Kendrick was accidentally given real beer, and got drunk. In Swingers, actors drank real alcohol in bars during business hours. In Sideways, actors drank so much non-alcoholic wine that it made them nauseous, so they had to switch to real wine, non-alcoholic wine, and grape juice. In Lawless, Shia LaBeouf drank large amounts of moonshine on and off set. In Arizona Dream, Johnny Depp drank about 11 shots of Jack Daniel's. In Holiday Inn, Fred Astaire did two shots of bourbon before the first take, and one with each successive take.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol consumption in movies | Sometimes real, sometimes fake |
| Real alcohol examples | Beer in Drinking Buddies, Moonshine in Lawless, Whiskey in Arizona Dream, Beer in Beerfest, Whiskey in Apocalypse Now |
| Fake alcohol examples | Non-alcoholic wine in Sideways, Non-alcoholic beer in Beerfest, Iced tea in Lost in Translation, Grape juice in Sideways |
| Reasons for fake alcohol | To avoid actors getting drunk, to avoid actors getting sick, to save money |
| Famous drunk actors | Daniel Radcliffe, Pat Sajak, Martin Sheen, Shia LaBeouf, Fred Astaire, Billy Bob Thornton, Harry Potter, Jennifer Lawrence, John Leguizamo, Bob Hoskins, Ethan Embry, Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, Fred Astaire, Margot Robbie, Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Neve Campbell |
What You'll Learn
Actors drinking real alcohol on set
While it is not common for actors to drink real alcohol on set, there are some instances where actors have consumed real alcoholic beverages during filming. In some cases, it may be a directorial choice, while in others, it could be the actor's preference or a result of the filming environment.
One notable example is the film Drinking Buddies, where actress Anna Kendrick unknowingly drank real beer, believing it to be a prop. Her co-star Olivia Wilde confirmed that real alcohol was used due to cost considerations. Similarly, in the film Beerfest, actors drank O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer, which, while alcohol-free, can still have an impact when consumed in large quantities.
Some actors have chosen to drink real alcohol to enhance their performances or achieve a specific physical state. For instance, Shia LaBeouf reportedly drank large amounts of moonshine on the set of Lawless to attain a "drunken bloat" for his character. Similarly, Johnny Depp, known for his preference for drinking real alcohol, consumed about 11 shots of Jack Daniel's while filming "Arizona Dream."
In certain cases, the consumption of real alcohol has been a result of the filming location or the nature of the film. For example, the '90s cult classic "Swingers" was filmed in actual bars during business hours, with patrons unknowingly becoming unpaid extras. Additionally, the cast of Super Mario Brothers, including John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins, reportedly drank Scotch on set to cope with the creative challenges of the film.
While drinking real alcohol on set is not the norm, there have been instances where actors have consumed alcoholic beverages for various reasons, whether it be for performance, cost, or the unique circumstances of the production.
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Actors drinking fake alcohol on set
When it comes to depicting alcohol consumption in movies and TV shows, actors typically rely on various fake or non-alcoholic alternatives. This practice ensures that actors can portray realistic drinking scenes without actually consuming alcohol. Here are some insights into how actors approach drinking scenes and the techniques they use to create convincing performances:
Non-alcoholic Alternatives: In many cases, actors opt for non-alcoholic beverages that resemble the appearance and sometimes even the taste of real alcohol. For example, non-alcoholic beer or wine might be used to create the illusion of drinking without the intoxicating effects. These alternatives allow actors to consume the drinks repeatedly during long filming days without experiencing the negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
Colored Water: Sometimes, actors may drink coloured water to mimic the appearance of alcoholic beverages. This technique is often used for drinks like cocktails or spirits, where the colour adds to the illusion.
Tea: Tea, particularly iced tea, is a common choice for scenes involving whiskey or other dark-coloured drinks. Iced tea provides a similar colour and can be easily consumed without the actor becoming inebriated.
Carbonated Coloured Water: For scenes involving champagne or sparkling wine, carbonated coloured water can be used to replicate the bubbles and festive appearance of these drinks.
Apple Juice or Cider: These beverages can have a similar colour to whiskey and can be used in scenes where a clear drink is needed.
Fake Beer: In some cases, prop departments may use cream soda or other tinted beverages that foam like beer to create a realistic beer alternative.
While these tricks of the trade help create convincing performances, it's important to remember that consuming large quantities of these fake alternatives can still lead to discomfort or other issues for actors. Additionally, the use of fake alcohol doesn't diminish the challenges of portraying drunkenness authentically, which requires skilled acting to ensure the performance doesn't veer into comedic or unrealistic territory.
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Actors drinking non-alcoholic beer on set
Non-alcoholic beer, also known as "near beer," is a popular choice for on-screen drinking scenes. These beverages typically contain less than 0.5% alcohol, which is significantly lower than the average beer, which usually has an alcohol content of around 5%. Using non-alcoholic beer allows actors to portray drinking scenes realistically without actually consuming a substantial amount of alcohol.
One example of a film that utilised non-alcoholic beer is "Beerfest," a comedy film set in the world of competitive drinking. Despite the abundance of beer drinking in the film, the actors were drinking O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer. This allowed them to stay sober while still portraying the drinking culture accurately.
In some cases, actors may consume small amounts of real alcohol to achieve a specific effect or to enhance their performance. For example, Shia LaBeouf reportedly drank large amounts of moonshine on and off the set of the film "Lawless" to achieve a "drunken bloat" for his character. However, such instances are typically the exception rather than the norm.
Another trick used by prop masters is to substitute dark-coloured liquors with weak tea. This creates the illusion of alcoholic drinks without actually using them. Clear liquids, such as vodka, are often replaced with water, as it is difficult to distinguish between the two on camera.
The use of non-alcoholic beer and other substitutes allows filmmakers to create realistic drinking scenes while prioritising the health and safety of the cast and crew. It also helps to avoid potential legal and ethical issues associated with the consumption of alcohol on set. Ultimately, the decision to use non-alcoholic alternatives is made to maintain a professional and controlled environment during filming.
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Actors who were drunk on set
While it is not common for actors to drink real alcohol on set, there are several instances of actors who were drunk during filming. Here are some notable examples:
Anna Kendrick in "Drinking Buddies"
Anna Kendrick, who stars in the movie "Drinking Buddies", claimed that she got drunk unintentionally during filming. She was supposed to drink non-alcoholic beer but the crew swapped it with real beer without her noticing. She said, "I was pounding beer and I didn't realize it was real until halfway through the take. I was like, I’m super drunk right now!".
Shia LaBeouf in "Lawless"
In the movie "Lawless", Shia LaBeouf plays a bootlegger during Prohibition. To get into character, he would often drink moonshine. He told Page Six, "I did it for the movie. I didn’t drink off set for no reason... I did it because, when I showed up on set the next day, my [bleep]ing eyes looked like this and my face...had that drunk bloat that I needed, that I couldn’t have if that wasn’t going on.".
Margot Robbie in "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Margot Robbie took three shots of tequila before filming her first on-camera sex scene with Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street". She said, "I was petrified. I'd come to work that morning and I was shaking, so scared... And I was like, 'it's 9 in the morning!' And [the crew member is] like, 'We're in New York!' So I was like, 'Okay, hook a brother up'!".
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in "Fight Club"
During downtime on the set of "Fight Club", Brad Pitt and Edward Norton were drinking and hitting golf balls into the catering truck. Director David Fincher decided to film the pair, and the scene ended up as one of the most iconic in the film.
Martin Sheen in "Apocalypse Now"
Martin Sheen was drunk on the first day of filming "Apocalypse Now". He was so intoxicated that he punched a mirror in the scene and injured his hand. Director Francis Ford Coppola tried to stop filming, but Sheen refused to accept treatment or stop the scene.
Daniel Radcliffe in the "Harry Potter" movies
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character in the "Harry Potter" films, admitted that he would often show up to set still drunk from the night before. He told British GQ, "I became so reliant on [alcohol] to enjoy stuff... There were a few years when I was just enamored with the idea of living some sort of famous person's lifestyle that really isn't suited to me.".
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Actors who drank alcohol to prepare for a role
While actors are usually given prop drinks on set, there are some instances where actors drank alcohol to prepare for a role.
Robert Shaw in Jaws (1975)
In the famous Indianapolis speech scene, Robert Shaw consumed alcohol before filming to achieve the desired level of inebriation for his character. However, Shaw became too intoxicated, and the final scene was filmed when he was sober.
Shia LaBeouf in Lawless (2012)
Shia LaBeouf drank large amounts of moonshine on and off the set of the Prohibition-era gangster film Lawless to achieve a "drunken bloat" for his character. His co-star Tom Hardy also reportedly drank moonshine, and the two got into several "scuffles" on set.
Fred Astaire in Holiday Inn (1942)
Astaire consumed alcohol as a form of method acting to achieve a "drunk" dance scene. He did two shots of bourbon before the first take and one shot with each subsequent take. The seventh take, with Astaire having consumed eight shots of bourbon, was the one that made it into the film.
Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now (1979)
Martin Sheen was "dangerously drunk" on the set of Apocalypse Now, but director Francis Ford Coppola decided to film anyway, resulting in the film's iconic, unhinged opening scene. Sheen punched a mirror, cutting his hand, and the blood shown is real.
Daniel Craig in James Bond films
Daniel Craig's portrayal of James Bond makes him the booziest Bond in the franchise's history. On average, Craig's Bond drinks 20 cocktails per film, compared to Sean Connery's Bond, who averages about 11 drinks per film.
Johnny Depp in Arizona Dream (1993)
Johnny Depp, known for drinking on and off set, drank about 11 shots of real whiskey while filming a scene for Arizona Dream.
Harry Potter cast
Daniel Radcliffe revealed that he showed up to the set of the Harry Potter films drunk on multiple occasions due to his heavy partying at the time.
The cast of Dazed and Confused (1993)
The cast of Dazed and Confused, including Matthew McConaughey, smoked real marijuana before filming to compensate for the fake pot used in the movie.
The cast of Drinking Buddies (2013)
The cast of Drinking Buddies, including Anna Kendrick, Jake Johnson, and Olivia Wilde, drank real beer and alcohol on set as it was cheaper than using props.
The cast of Super Mario Brothers (1993)
John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins drank Scotch on set to cope with the creative challenges of the film.
Margot Robbie in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Margot Robbie drank tequila before filming a graphic sex scene with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street to calm her nerves.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the movie and the actor. In some cases, actors might drink non-alcoholic beer, while in others, they might opt for real alcohol. For example, in the movie "Beerfest", the actors drank O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer. On the other hand, in "Drinking Buddies", Anna Kendrick accidentally drank real beer, thinking it was a prop.
There could be several reasons. In some cases, it might be because the actor prefers it, like Johnny Depp, who drank real whiskey in "Arizona Dream". In other cases, it might be because it's cheaper than using props, as was the case in "Drinking Buddies". Additionally, some actors might use it as a method acting technique, like Shia LaBeouf, who drank moonshine to achieve a "drunken bloat" for his role in "Lawless".
Yes, there are safety concerns when actors consume real alcohol on set. Excessive alcohol consumption can impair judgment and coordination, leading to injuries or accidents. Additionally, drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause health issues, especially if the actor is also taking medication or has underlying health conditions.
When actors are required to drink real alcohol, they usually learn to be circumspect and not swallow the drink. They may use a spit bucket to avoid consuming too much alcohol over multiple takes. However, this technique might not always be preferred, as actress Julia Roberts mentioned in an interview that she found the idea of a spit bucket gross.
