Shia LaBeouf Reflects On Career, Deciding To Quit Drinking

Shia LaBeouf has made more headlines for his worrying off-camera behavior than for his acting over the last few years – but the actor hopes that’s going to change.

Shia LaBeouf On His Career

LaBeouf hasn’t had a drink in nearly a year, during which time he’s been attending recovery meetings. For LaBeouf, 30, alcohol proved to be destructive to both his career and his personal life, though he does not consider himself an addict.

“People I respected — dudes I wanted to work with — just looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Life’s too short for this sh-t.’ I’m still earning my way back. I’m happy working,” LaBeouf told Vanity Fair, referring to his downward spiral. “Alcohol or any of that sh-t will send you haywire. I can’t f–k with none of it. I’ve got to keep my head low.”

Since leaving his Disney days behind him, LaBeouf has managed to work with a number of big-name directors, including Michael Bay – who LaBeouf would like to work with again, and Steven Spielberg – who LaBeouf says is “less a director than he is a f–king company” these days. Though his troubling behavior has made some major studios wary of signing him on to projects, LaBeouf has also reaped some benefits.

“I don’t think I’d be working with the directors I’ve been working with if I had not f–ked up a bit,” he said, referring to the likes of David Ayer (Fury), Andrea Arnold (American Honey) and Janus Metz Pedersen (Borg vs. McEnroe). “They wanted a f–king fireball. They wanted a loose cannon. I’m learning how to distill my ‘crazy’ into something manageable, that I can shape and deliver on the day.”

LaBeouf is cognizant of the fact that were he an actress on the rise in Hollywood, he likely wouldn’t be getting another legitimate shot at sticking around in the business.

“It’s a double standard, for sure,” he admitted. “Women require grace for longevity. I don’t think men require grace. You can be Mickey Rourke.”