Two years after overcoming a serious drug addiction, Mighty Ducks actor Shaun Weiss has opened up about his struggle in a rare TV interview.
The former child star who rose to fame as Greg Goldberg in 1992’s The Mighty Ducks and as Josh Birnbaum in the 1995 film Heavyweightswas a methamphetamine and heroin addict for three years before finally getting sober in 2020.
Appearing on Today Extra on Thursday, the 44-year-old said he was grateful to have his life back and thanked his former co-stars for helping him through dark times.
Two years after overcoming a serious drug addiction, Mighty Ducks actor Shaun Weiss has opened up about his struggle in a rare TV interview. (Pictured left on Channel Nine’s Today Extra on Thursdays and right in The Mighty Ducks from 1992)
“I feel better than I have in years and to be able to do films again is just a dream come true,” he told co-presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell.
“I’ll be honest, when all this happened I never thought I’d be in a place where I could look at it all in my rearview mirror. Being here now feels like I’ve been given a second chance have,” he added.
Weiss maintained that unlike other struggling child stars, Hollywood was not to blame for his downward spiral into drugs.
Appearing on Today Extra on Thursday, the 44-year-old said he was grateful to have his life back and thanked his former co-stars for helping him through dark times.
“I feel better than I have in years and being able to do films again is just a dream come true,” he told co-presenters Sylvia Jeffreys (centre) and David Campbell (left).
‘I believe [my addiction] had less to do with Hollywood and a lot to do with other things,” he said.
“My depression led to my drug addiction and I found that out after a thousand hours of therapy.”
Weiss also praised the cast and crew of The Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights for inspiring him to get sober, calling them his “real family.”
“That support really meant everything to me because I just got to a point where I didn’t care about myself as much anymore. But I really didn’t want to disappoint all these people who moved before me,” he said.
Weiss also praised the cast and crew of The Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights for inspiring him to get sober, calling them his “real family.” Pictured is the cast of D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)
He then gave special credit to fellow Mighty Ducks and Heavyweights star Aaron Swartz for putting together a video of the cast and crew of both films wishing him well.
“This video was really amazing and really blew my mind and it was exactly what I really needed at the time. So these guys were there when I needed them,” he said.
Fans were shocked when Weiss’ mugshot went viral in 2017 following his arrest for petty theft.
“That support really meant everything to me because I just got to a point where I didn’t care about myself as much anymore. But I really didn’t want to disappoint all these people who moved before me,” he said
At the time, Weiss was living on the streets due to his drug addiction and turned to a life of crime.
He spent 12 days in jail before being released on overcrowding charges, but just five days later he was rearrested and sentenced to 90 days in jail for possession of methamphetamine.
In January 2020, he was arrested again, this time for burglary and under the influence of methamphetamine.
In January 2020, Weiss was arrested in Marysville, California in connection with burglary and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Pictured is his mug shot
In his new mugshot, Weiss looked shockingly thin and disheveled, causing him to worry about his well-being.
Weiss last appeared on the big screen in the 2008 film Drillbit Taylor.
Now he returns in the upcoming biopic Jesus Revolution, playing a Vietnam veteran battling drug addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline at 1800.250.015 for confidential advice or Lifeline at 13.11.14 for substance abuse help.
Now he returns in the upcoming biopic Jesus Revolution, playing a Vietnam veteran battling drug addiction. Weiss shared this post on Instagram in April, confirming his new role
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
