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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Jennifer Coolidge reveals her use of cocaine in the 1980s led to hospital trips and rehab

Jennifer Coolidge has revealed that her use of cocaine during the 1980s led to her being rushed to hospital on several occasions, with her ending up in rehab over it.

The actor, 60, is perhaps best known for her roles in films such as Legally Blonde (2001) and the American Pie (1999), with her later appearing in some of their sequels.

More recently though, she's received acclaim as troubled Tanya McQuoid on the White Lotus, with her performance in the HBO series earning her a Golden Globe nomination.

The role came following her appearance in the music video for Ariana Grande 's Thank U, Next - with both projects having brought the comedian back into the spotlight.

Jennifer Coolidge has received much acclaim for her performance in HBO's the White Lotus (HBO)

And although on a career high, it hasn't always been easy for her to achieve success, with her having opened up about her experiences for a profile with InStyle magazine recently.

She recalled that towards the beginning of her career, prior to her debut on screen, she ended up in rehab because of her use of cocaine, which she has said is a "terrible drug."

The profile revealed that Jennifer, originally from Boston, moved to New York in her early twenties, where she trained to become a "serious actress" whilst working as a waitress.

The actor spoke about experiences earlier in her life in a recent profile (Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images)
She's recognisable for roles in franchises such American Pie, having played Jeanine Stifler (Getty)

She was later encouraged to try comedy and successfully auditioned for an improvisation group. Around this time, she also threw herself into the party scene of the 1980s.

This is said to have included an addiction to cocaine, with Jennifer explaining to the outlet why it had been her drug of choice at the time, prior to her stint in a rehab facility.

She said: "I was born low-energy. So there was this drug that was invented for people like me. It made me very alive, you know?" She added: "Unfortunately, it's a terrible drug."

Jennifer was nominated for a Golden Globe over her performance in the White Lotus (HBO)

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The profile notes that she ended up in "emergency rooms a few too many times" because of it, which later prompted her to check into a rehab facility. She got sober aged 27.

Jennifer later relocated to Los Angeles, where she joined improv and sketch comedy troupe the Groundlings. Her on-screen debut was in an episode of the Seinfield in 1993.

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