Shia LaBeouf Says He Slept in Central Park During 2013 Struggling Days

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Shia LaBeouf Says He Slept in Central Park During 2013 Struggling Days

Shia LaBeouf is back in headlines after revealing a shocking chapter from his past during a new interview. The actor admitted to “sleeping in Central Park” while preparing for the Broadway play Orphans in 2013. He also talked about using steroids at the time, and how he ultimately decided to leave the production. His candid recollection sheds light on a turbulent period marked by creative tension with Alec Baldwin and a personal search for meaning.

Here’s what LaBeouf shared about his struggles, his fallout from Orphans, and how faith and filmmaking helped reshape his life.

Shia LaBeouf details his struggling days while preparing for Orphans

Shia LaBeouf revealed he was “not in a good way” while preparing for the Broadway play Orphans, which he eventually dropped out of.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, LaBeouf said he was using steroids and “sleeping in Central Park” during that time. “They keep horses there at this little fire basin. And there’s a whole lot of room around there where you can just chill,” he explained. “You got to move every three or four hours and the guy comes around, but you can spend most of your time there,” the Transformers actor added.

LaBeouf confirmed that his conflict with co-star Alec Baldwin played a role in his exit. “I’d be off book, he’d be on book…That makes it hard to play these scenes,” he said. “I was kind of heartbroken… When he came in, I’m living in the park and I’m on steroids and I’m not in a good way.” Despite early tensions, LaBeouf noted they eventually reconciled, stating, “We’ve both been able to send each other love and make it right before all the madness happened.”

LaBeouf stated that a lack of spiritual grounding fueled much of his past behavior. “It came from having absolutely no spiritual life,” he said, calling himself “not a nice guy” and crediting his turn toward Catholicism and time in a monastery for changing his approach to life and work. “It changes the way you work, for sure.” Furthermore, the actor also revealed that Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, and James Brolin helped him achieve sobriety. “They got around me and kept me alive,” he said.

Currently, he stars in Henry Johnson, a new film directed by David Mamet.