‘Cocaine is the Gollum of drugs’ – and other things we learned from Anthony LaPaglia’s surprisingly juicy memoir
Anthony LaPaglia’s memoir, *The Life We Choose*, combines accounts of his abusive childhood and acting career with candid stories about Hollywood colleagues and personal struggles. It also recounts how he came close to playing Tony Soprano, a role that ultimately went to James Gandolfini.
LaPaglia writes that he first tried drugs in his thirties while filming in San Francisco, then became a bingeing cocaine addict before stopping without going to rehab. He describes his difficult upbringing in Adelaide as part of what shaped him as an actor, and says he is now “pretty much broke”. The memoir also includes his claims about difficult encounters with figures including Quentin Tarantino and Val Kilmer.
In short
- LaPaglia’s memoir mixes personal history with Hollywood stories.
- He was considered for Tony Soprano before James Gandolfini was cast.
- He describes addiction, recovery and financial hardship.
Explained simply
Anthony LaPaglia is an Australian actor from Adelaide who built a career in film and television, including roles in the US. His memoir looks back at his difficult childhood and the experiences that shaped his work, as well as the challenges he faced in his personal life.
LaPaglia also writes about Hollywood colleagues and parts he nearly played, including Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, a role that went to James Gandolfini. His account of cocaine addiction and stopping without entering rehab offers one perspective on substance use and recovery; his recollections of other public figures are his own.
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