Washington admits that wine was his drink of choice, starting out as a slow, subtle habit that didn’t seem dangerous. He says, “Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden.” Over time, what began as a refined taste for wine turned into more frequent and expensive indulgence. “I was popping $4,000 bottles just because that’s what was left,” he recalls.
His relationship with alcohol escalated to the point where he would order two bottles of wine from a store on Sunset Boulevard each day, sharing with his wife, Pauletta, that he kept the order small so he wouldn’t drink more. “If I order more, I’ll drink more,” he explained.
Despite his drinking habits, Washington maintained his professional life, never drinking while working or preparing for roles. He recounts that during the filming of Flight (2012), where he played an alcoholic pilot, he abstained from drinking, though he admits that he resumed once filming wrapped.
Now, nearly 10 years sober, Washington reflects on the toll alcohol took on his body. “I’ve done a lot of damage to the body,” he admits. But he remains focused on the future, embracing his age and the new opportunities ahead. "Things are opening up for me now — like being seventy. It’s real. And it’s okay." Looking ahead, he’s focusing on making the most of what’s left. "This is the last chapter — if I get another thirty, what do I want to do?" he said, hopeful for the years to come.
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