Additional Coverage:
- Dennis Quaid says he used cocaine to practice piano 12 hours a day for one of his most iconic roles (businessinsider.com)
Dennis Quaid Reveals Cocaine Use During “Great Balls of Fire!” Preparation
Actor Dennis Quaid recently revealed a surprising detail about his preparation for the 1989 Jerry Lee Lewis biopic, “Great Balls of Fire!” In a candid interview, Quaid admitted to using cocaine while learning to play piano for the role.
Quaid, already a well-established star at the time, dedicated himself to embodying the energetic rock ‘n’ roll legend. He spent 12 hours a day practicing piano to convincingly portray Lewis’s musical talent and flamboyant performance style. However, Quaid confessed that cocaine played a role in his intense practice sessions, stating it made it “a little simpler to be at the piano 12 hours at a time.”
The actor has been open about his past struggles with cocaine addiction, which he ultimately overcame after entering rehab in 1990, shortly after the film’s release. He acknowledged the seriousness of his past drug use, emphasizing that he doesn’t “advocate taking cocaine to learn how to play the piano.”
He warned, “You will wind up in a bad place.” Quaid’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers of substance abuse, even amidst the pressures of Hollywood.