'I saw myself dead in five years': Dennis Quaid admits he had a 'white-light moment' during drug battle... as he discusses letting go of bitterness after split with ex Meg Ryan

By Jessica Rach For Mailonline

Published: 20:56 EST, 16 January 2017 | Updated: 21:01 EST, 16 January 2017

He gained fame as the Marlborough man, before battling drugs before boasting a career comeback in the nineties.

And Dennis Quaid has admitted there was a point during his drug battle that he thought he wouldn't make it. 

The thrice-married actor, 62, whose 10-year-marriage with Meg Ryan ended amid accusations she had an affair, revealed he had long-buried any bitterness over their relationship. 

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'I had one of those white-light moments': Dennis Quaid has admitted there was a point during his drug battle that he thought he wouldn't make it in a new interview 

Speaking to The Radio Times about his battle with cocaine addiction in the 1970s, he said: 'It starts out fun and then there's fun with problems, and then there's just problems.

'I had one of those white-light moments – I saw myself dead in five years or at least losing everything I had worked for and wanted in life, and so I put myself in [a treatment centre] for 28 days and I did everything they said.

'I was able to quit drinking and smoking pot for the next ten years. Cocaine, though, was like a little devil on your shoulder saying, 'Oh, come on…'

Moved on: The thrice-married actor, 62, whose 10-year-marriage with Meg Ryan ended amid accusations of she had a brief affair with Russell Crowe, revealed he had long-buried any bitterness over their relationship

But in the nineties he turned things around, kicking his cocaine addiction and eating disorder before marrying fellow actress Meg in 1991.

The duo had fallen in love following the filming of their second film together, and welcomed son Jack a year after their wedding. 

However ten years later, in 2001, the couple divorced amid accusations she had a brief affair with Russell Crowe. 

Taking control: 'I saw myself dead in five years or at least losing everything I had worked for and wanted in life, and so I put myself in [a treatment centre] for 28 days and I did everything they said'

'You have to be [friendly with an ex] after a while. If you're bitter still after 15 years – and still holding grudges – something's wrong with you, not with them,' he explained of Meg (pictured with Dennis in 1999)

And things still appeared to be strained to the public eye when in 2008 she told Insight magazine: 'Dennis was not faithful to me for a very long time, and that was very painful. I found out more about that after I was divorced.'

The interview is in this week's Radio Times.

At the time Dennis, who by then had married currently estranged wife Kimberly Buffington who he shares twins with, hit back with: 'It was eight years ago, and I find it unbelievable that Meg continues publicly to rehash and rewrite the story of our relationship.

'Also, I find it regrettable that our son, Jack, has to be reminded in a public way of the turmoil and pain that every child feels in a divorce.

'I, myself, moved on years ago and am fortunate to have a happy, beautiful family.' 

But Dennis has long let go of any bitterness, explaining now:'You have to be [friendly with an ex] after a while. If you're bitter still after 15 years – and still holding grudges – something's wrong with you, not with them.' 

The interview is in this week's Radio Times. 

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