"Capote" Star Philip Seymour Hoffman Talks about His Drug Past

Oscar favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman discussed for the first time his past substance abuse problems. The "Capote" star candidly talks about his battle to get sober 16 years ago and credits his decision to get clean with his recent success.

Hoffman says his troubles began after graduating from New York University's drama school in the early '90s. "It was all that [drugs and alcohol], yeah, it was anything I could get my hands on...I liked it all," he says. "I went [to rehab], I got sober when I was 22 years old. You get panicked...and I got panicked for my life. It really was just that," he adds.

The 38-year-old actor also says that getting sober before getting famous was a blessing for him, as tabloid cover subjects don't get the opportunity to attack him. And besides, if he had the money to live this troubled life back then, as nowadays young stars do, he would have been dead by now. "I think back at that time, if I had the money, that kind of money and stuff… I would have died," he claims.

Hoffman says that he hasn't spoken about his addiction before for fear that moviegoers knowing too much of his personal life could influence their perception of his performances.

Hoffman has appeared in more than 40 films in the past 14 years, but his most important achievement is "Capote". He was recently applauded for the Best Actor prizes at the Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild Awards for this movie.