How 6 Hollywood Stars Would Look Today If They Never Beat Their Dark Periods & Got Sober: AI-Photos

• See AI-generated images of stars including Melanie Griffith and David Hasselhoff if they never overcame addiction.
• The celebrities have shared how they turned their lives around.
• Support from loved ones made all the difference.

Many famous individuals have made headlines not only for their work but also for their personal struggles, including addiction. Fortunately, some managed to turn over a new leaf.

From actor Brad Pitt to actress-turned-talk-show-host Drew Barrymore, here is how six celebrities would look today if they never overcame their dark periods and became sober.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie's battle with addiction is well-documented, but she overcame it with the help of loved ones and a strong will. Jolie once admitted, "I've done just about every drug possible. Coke, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, everything. The worst effect, for me, was pot. I gave them up long ago."

Jolie's teenage years were marked by alienation and depression. Attending Beverly Hills High School, she felt excluded despite her father's fame.

Her parents split when she was only six months old leaving the star, her mom and big brother to live in poverty at a series of low-rent apartments. Jolie's sense of isolation led to self-harm, drug use, and violent behavior. She once described cutting herself as a therapeutic release.

Moreover, the actress's strained relationship with her father, Jon Voight, added to her struggles. Jolie saw little of him growing up and feared she might end up isolated like him.

In a 2014 interview, she reflected, "I realized that very young—that a life where you don't live to your full potential, or you don't experiment, or you're afraid, or you hesitate, or there are things you know you should do but don't get around to them, is a life I'd be miserable living."

Motherhood transformed her life. Jolie, who has six kids, shared, "I was 26 when I became a mother. My entire life changed. Having children saved me and taught me to be in this world differently." Her children became her motivation to stay sober and live fully.

Today, Jolie is a strong advocate for mental health and uses her experiences to inspire others. She has proven that it is possible to overcome dark periods and lead a fulfilling life.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt's journey to sobriety began in 2016 after a fight aboard a private plane with his now former wife, Jolie about his drinking. This incident led to their divorce after being married for 11 years, and Pitt decided to make a change.

"I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges," Pitt said. He spent a year and a half in Alcoholics Anonymous, finding solace in the support of his group.

The actor noted, "It was this safe space where there was little judgment, and therefore little judgment of yourself." Pitt expressed in a 2019 interview that it was freeing to expose his bad side and finds value in doing that.

He also found therapy helpful and ended up loving it. Reflecting on his past in a 2017 interview, Pitt admitted, "I can't remember a day since I got out of college when I wasn't boozing or had a spliff, or something. [...] I'm really happy to be done with all of that."

The film star revealed that he stopped doing everything except drinking when he started a family but has since put all of that behind him now. After his divorce, he made several radical changes to his health, including getting sober.

He emphasized the importance of a supportive and private group in his recovery process. Up until now, Pitt's commitment to sobriety has allowed him to rebuild his life and career.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore faced many challenges, including a public battle with addiction. Her divorce from Will Kopelman in 2016 led her to seek solace in alcohol. Her therapist and close friends including Cameron Diaz intervened, urging her to quit drinking.

Barrymore quit drinking in 2019 after shooting the pilot for "The Drew Barrymore Show." She explained, "I can't handle this unless I'm in a really clear place."

Though Barrymore doesn't call herself sober in the traditional sense, she acknowledges the need to give up alcohol. "I kept thinking, 'I'll master this.' And finally, I just realized: 'You've never mastered this, and you never will,'" said the businesswoman.

Her decision to stop drinking was influenced by her desire to break the cycle of addiction in her family. Barrymore said, "I think, for me, stopping drinking is one of the most honoring things I can do to the Barrymore name because we have all been such hedonists."

The television star's commitment to her children and career has helped her stay on the right path. She continues to inspire others with her resilience and determination.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper's rise to fame in the late '90s and early 2000s was accompanied by struggles with insecurity and addiction. He often used mean humor to fit in with comedians, hurting others in the process.

A turning point came when actor and comedian Will Arnett confronted him about his behavior. Arnett asked if Cooper's dogs had gone out, and Cooper realized it was 4 p.m. This moment made him aware of his problem with drugs and alcohol.

Cooper got sober at 29 and has maintained his sobriety. He shared, "[...] I’ve been very lucky." Fatherhood has also played a significant role in his recovery.

Cooper said, "Having a child, and having a family of my own — which is a miracle and something I've always dreamt of — has opened me up even more." His dedication to sobriety and family has allowed him to thrive both personally and professionally.

Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith's battle with addiction impacted her family, but she overcame it with their support. Antonio Banderas, her now-ex-husband, played a crucial role in her recovery. He shared in a 2011 interview, "She has overcome her problems beautifully. I didn't know she was so strong."

Griffith was open with her children about her struggles. "The pretending is the worst, because kids are so smart. They can see through all of those things," Banderas said.

The actress checked into rehab multiple times, with the last relapse occurring in 2008. Her honesty and openness helped her family navigate these challenges together.

Despite her addiction, Griffith was a functioning mom and tried to be there for her kids. She said, "I was a totally functioning mom. I wasn’t like a drunk-on-the-floor, out-of-it person." The star's determination has allowed her to rebuild her life and strengthen her family bonds.

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff's battle with alcoholism became public in 2007 when a videotape showed him drunk, struggling to eat a hamburger. Two years later, he was hospitalized for heavy drinking and his reps said he was a recovering alcoholic.

His daughters were instrumental in his recovery, urging him to seek help. "It starts with being honest with ourselves, being honest with the kids... I give that message," he said in a 2016 interview.

Despite his struggles, Hasselhoff has made significant strides in his recovery. He found inspiration in his daughters' honesty and support, which helped him get back on track.

Hasselhoff's journey highlights the importance of family support in overcoming addiction. He continues to work on his sobriety and inspire others with his story.

These celebrities have shown that overcoming addiction is possible with the right support and determination. Their stories are a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.