Gerard Butler on Almost Dying, Rehab: "Maybe a Stronger Person Wouldn't Have Needed to Go" (E!) by Natalie Finn

Gerard Butler may look solid as a rock (his chest certainly seems to be made of granite), but he's only human on the inside.

"Maybe a stronger person wouldn't have needed to go," the Scottish actor says in the November issue of Men's Journal, talking about the three weeks he spent at the Betty Ford Center in February.

"When you hear the word rehab, you think, ‘He's a mess, he's f--ked up.' But I'm glad I did it. I've made a s--tload of wrong decisions in my life. But I know I've made some right ones as well."


To be clear, Butler emphasizes that he didn't go to rehab for alcohol abuse, a rumor that really "pissed [him] off."

"I haven't had a drink in 15 years," says the Bounty Hunter star, who admits to having an addictive personality. Rather, he checked into a pain-management program after being injured in a surfing accident while shooting Chasing Mavericks, which comes out Friday.

READ MORE: http://www.eonline.com/news/355044/gerard-butler-on-almost-dying-rehab-maybe-a-stronger-person-wouldn-t-have-needed-to-go

Gerard Butler enjoys a leisurely lunch and a spin around town with a male friend By ELEANOR GOWER PUBLISHED: 19:37 EST, 5 October 2012 | UPDATED: 20:53 EST, 5 October 2012 (MAIL ON LINE)

He has a slew of movies set for release this year and 2013, so it was unsurprising that Gerard Butler was taking a bit of a break today before beginning his grueling round of promotional duties.

The Scottish actor joined a male friend for a bicycle ride through New York City before the men took lunch together al fresco.

Gerard, 42, and his companion were dressed remarkably similarly in blue jeans, pale shirt, trainers and sunglasses as they took off for a spin around the city.


Later over lunch, Gerard was spotted clutching a city map while enjoying a coffee.

His next film Chasing Mavericks, where he plays legendary Northern California big wave surfer Frosty Hesson is slated for release at the end of this month.

Gerard told surf.transworld.net that he had to train hard to get his stamina up for the movie.

'I did long-distances paddleboarding and then basically just surfing - learning how to be on a board, do turns, get up on a wave. Really just learning how to look like I knew what I was doing,' he said.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2213703/Gerard-Butler-enjoys-leisurely-lunch-spin-town-male-friend.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Gerard Butler: 'Chasing Mavericks was a passion project for me' Published Monday, Aug 27 2012, 7:24pm EDT |(DIGITAL SPY)

Gerard Butler has said that his new film Chasing Mavericks was a "passion project".

The actor, who also produces the surfing film, revealed that he wanted to become more involved in Chasing Mavericks as he felt so moved by the "emotional and inspiring" story.

 By Jennifer Still 

"I love to be able to produce, especially if it's a project that you really believe in, and this was very much a passion project for me. When you're producing, you have a chance to get even more involved and have more of a say in the creative process at all levels actually, that's what got me about it," Butler explained to MTV News.

"But from the second I got the script and I read it, one, it's a very powerful and emotional and inspiring story, but two, it really dives into the psyche and the danger and the courage in the sport of surfing and that was something I'd never really seen before in a major feature film. I thought, I want to be part of telling that story. It would be an honor for me to step in there and really try and represent what goes on in the mind and heart of a big-wave surfer."

Butler also promised that fans would be getting more than a stereotypical surfing movie as Chasing Mavericks employed new technologies and techniques while shooting. 

READ MORE: http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a402068/gerard-butler-chasing-mavericks-was-a-passion-project-for-me.html

Gerard Butler: Fresh Out Of Rehab, Gerard Butler Checks In At Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (SF FIRST)

According to the restaurant's Facebook presence, Butler — who is sporting a very surf-bleached new coif, we might add — came in last night with part of his film crew and Mavericks regular Grant Washburn. (Surf contest regular, that is. Although we suppose he could be a regular at the Brewing Company's bar as well.) According to the folks over at Eater, Butler has a thing for the seafood sampler, fresh oysters and hanging out by the fireplace at the bar until 11:30 p.m. So, ladies, now you know where to find him.


READ MORE: http://sfist.com/2012/03/13/fresh_out_of_rehab_gerard_butler_ch.php

Gerard Butler: TMZ video about his Betty Ford stay

Butler's problems were triggered by the physical demands of shooting "300" in 2006 (see video below of Gerard preparing for the role). We're told the actor began struggling with pain management, and the problem became exacerbated while filming "Of Men and Mavericks," when Butler was badly hurt on December 18 during a surfing accident.


Read the article:  http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/24/gerard-butler-rehab-addiction-prescription-drugs-alcohol-cocaine/?adid=hero2#.T0mBMfEgfiY

Gerard Butler - Gerard Butler Dodges Household Chores (Contact Music)

16 January 2012 04:06:43 PM

Gerard Butler Dodges Household Chores

Gerard Butler used his surfing accident to his advantage by avoiding household chores, such as washing the dishes, when he returned to his native Scotland over the festive period.

Gerard Butler used his surfing accident to his advantage by avoiding household chores.

The Hollywood actor cheated death in December when he was thrown from his surfboard and hit by a series of 12-foot waves while filming 'Of Men and Mavericks' - and he joked that he was unable to wash dishes when he returned home to Scotland over the festive period as a result of what he'd been through.

Gerard - who recently admitted the accident was a "close call" - quipped: "I play it like that, but I don't really get away with it... Although I do feel that this year I was a little bit lazy.

"There were a couple of times when I saw people in the kitchen and I thought I could be doing a little bit more. 'Do you know what I've just been through? You're lucky I'm here. And you're going to ask me... it's washing up! It's water! I can't even see the water, any kind of foam - it's too much, what if I fall in?' "

The 42-year-old star's latest film 'Coriolanus' - a film adaption of Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name - sees him take a break from near-death experiences to star as Roman army commander Tullus Aufidius, and he hopes appearing in the movie will encourage people to read more of the playwright's work.

Speaking on ITV1's 'Lorraine', he added: "I was sent the script - it was so filmic, it was just perfect and you really could immediately see yourself as that character and you could see Ralph as 'Coriolanus'. It's very accessible and easy to follow.

"You always have different reasons for choosing roles. Some are for fun and this came along and I thought, 'Well, you know what? I'm not exactly known for my Shakespeare!' "


http://www.contactmusic.com/news/gerard-butler-dodges-household-chores_1284242

Gerard Butler – I’d rather score goal against Rangers than win an Oscar (Deadline)

 By Claire McKim

The star would rather have glory at Celtic Park than an Oscars ceremony

HOLLYWOOD actor Gerard Butler has said he would rather score a goal for Celtic than win an Oscar.

Paisley-born Butler (42), famed for his roles in 300 and P.S I Love you, said scoring a goal against Rangers would top his list of things to do if he were to meet his maker.

Butler was in Glasgow last summer to play for Celtic Legends in a charity match against Manchester United Legends and said sharing a pitch with players such as Henrik Larsson and Neil Lennon ranked in the top three moments of his life.

He said: “It was probably the highlight of my career. Back home at Christmas, talking about it with my mum, even she said that. She’s been to Hollywood premieres with me and she said it doesn’t get better than that moment, ‘just to see you walk on at Parkhead.’ My stepfather is a Rangers fan so it’s been an infinite source of entertainment for him to have to deal with that.”

Asked if he would rather win an Oscar or score a goal against Rangers, there was no doubt in the Scotsman’s mind.

“Scoring a winning goal against Rangers!” he said.

To prove dedication to his beloved Celtic, Gerard made a one day trip from Los Angeles to Glasgow to take part in a charity match to raise money for Oxfam’s East Africa famine appeal.

He said he “totally” enjoyed the experience, joking, “you can take the boy out of Glasgow…”

Currently starring alongside Ralph Fiennes in a movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, Butler said he accepted the role for a mixture of reasons.

He said: “Whether I had done it or not I would have taken a hold of that compliment for a while.

‘Ralph wants to work with you in a Shakespeare movie.” Incredible for me. Then I got the script and thought if Shakespeare could ever be a film this is it. It had it all, from political intrigue to intimate domestic moments, from rivalry to action sequences, all the complexities of every kind of relationship.”

Butler spoke of a near-death experience he had whilst filming his new movie, surfing film, Men and Mavericks.

During one take Butler was pulled under water by a particularly rough series of waves.
“It’s a very scary place. Surfers always tell you how lonely it feels when you are under that water, deep, dark. You think all I can do it not panic. If I panic I know I’m dead.”

Asked whether he had ever regretted leaving a career as a lawyer to pursue acting, Butler was pretty straight forward.

“In 14 years of acting I don’t think that thought has ever once crossed my mind. Even when I was under that wave,” he laughs. “I say that jokingly, but I had my moment, I have no regrets about doing that. I’m way better off doing what I am doing.”

Born in Paisley in 1969, Butler spent some time in Canada as a youth and landed a small part in James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies before his breakthrough role in TV series Attila in 2001.

The actor divides his time between Los Angeles, New York and London and was voted one of Empire Magazine’s 100 sexiest stars in 2007


http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2012/01/12/butler-id-rather-score-goal-against-rangers-than-win-an-oscar/

Gerard Butler calls surfing accident 'a close call' (New York Post)

Last Updated: 4:33 PM, January 6, 2012

Posted: 4:33 PM, January 6, 2012

 

 

Gerard Butler reveals that his surfing accident on Dec. 18 was a "close call" and that reports of the severity were "not exaggerated."

Butler appeared on "The Graham Norton Show" today and talked about filming the movie "Of Men and Mavericks," a biopic about surfer Jay Moriarity that required Butler to surf at one of the most challenging big wave surfing spots in the world.

While filming on location in Northern California, Butler was pulled underwater and dragged across a reef by oversized waves. The actor was pulled from the water and taken to Stanford Medical Center for treatment, ESPN.com reported.

SM / Splash News

Gerard Butler talks about his December surfing accident and says it was a "close call."

"[The waves] just took me in, and I couldn't get up. It was pretty hairy," said Butler. "It was maybe of of the few times that reports were not exaggerated. It was a pretty close call."

What Butler experienced is referred to in surfer parlance as a "two-wave hold-down," where a surfer is held down by one wave so long that they are washed over by a second. But even though his life was in danger -- professional surfer Sion Milosky drowned at the same spot nine months earlier -- Butler was anxious to get back in the water and surf more.

"I was going to go back that day," Butler said. "I was actually in the ambulance and wanted to go back, which was a little crazy. But it's pretty addictive."

While the accident was scary, Butler did see one silver lining. It helped him understand Moriarity, who he plays in the movie, much better.

"In the movie, [there's] a scene about a two-wave hold-down,'" he said. "I actually thought they will get me later and resuscitate me. They finally grabbed me just as another huge wave was coming in –- it was just like a movie! In fact, everything I talked about happening in the movie happened to me."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/gerard_butler_calls_surfing_accident_h7k0CBxJTYIHaBpKeLTFeO#ixzz1ijYCPSHH

Gerard Butler doing okay after surfing accident (The Celebrity Cafe)

12/21/2011       

Deborah Kim

 

Actor Gerard Butler arriving at the 'Machine Gun Preacher' premiere at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on September 21, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. Philip Vaughan

Peter West/Ace Pictures/Fotoglif

Gerard Butler is one of the hunkiest men in Hollywood. After all, he did suffer two accidental gun shots to the head while filming Machine Gun Preacher, a freakishly high wave won’t get him down.

E! Online reported the Ugly Truth actor got into an accident while filming a movie about surfing in Northern California.

He was at Mavericks, which is known for powerful, stories-high waves, on the set of Of Men and Mavericks with professional surfers Greg Long, Zach Wormhoudt and Peter Mel on Sunday.

According to the Asssociated Press, all four men were in the water trying to avoid 15-foot waves when a much larger wave formed in front of them.

The 42-year-old actor was underwater for two waves before he was washed through some rocks and pulled out by a safety patrolman.

Wormhoudt told reporters Butler was a little shocked by the accident but suffered no serious injuries. However, he was taken to Stanford Medical Center for further examination and released shortly after.

He reportedly had little surfing experience and was told what to do in situations like the one he experienced.

“Everything he was doing was within reason,” Wormhoudt said. “We took like four to five pretty big waves on the head. Basically there’s nothing you can do. It was intense for myself, and I’ve been through a lot out there.”

Now that he’s okay, Butler’s probably earned a few high fives and street cred from the pros.


http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/gerard-butler-doing-ok-after-surfing-accident-12-20-2011-0

Gerard Butler 'escapes death after serious surfing accident’ (The Mirror)

By Simon Boyle 19/12/2011

 

Gerard was filming his own surfing stunts in California

Actor Gerard Butler was rushed to hospital after escaping death in a surfing stunt, it was reported yesterday.  The 42-year-old British star was trapped underwater after being hit by a succession of waves while filming in California.

He has been shooting Of Men and Mavericks based on the true life story of a tragic young surfer Jay Moriarty.

Butler has been training all summer on the coast to recover the six-pack physique he developed for 300.

The accident happened at Maverick’s, the infamous Northern California surf spot south of San Fransisco.

Butler who plays the role of champion surfer Rick “Frosty” Henson, was caught in a 12ft swell [on sunday] when he was hit by a freak wave.

He was pulled from the water onto a jet ski and then brought to shore helped from the water and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Butler read out the Golden Globes nominations last week

Eye witness surfer Frank Quirarte said: “Butler was held down for a solid two-waves and took four or five more waves on the head.

“He was then washed through the rocks on the inside before he was finally able to be plucked out.
“Even on small days the inside at Maverick’s can push 10ft plus and really tear you up.

“When they brought Butler in he had that 100-yard stare that surfers get after a two-wave hold [down] or near death experience.

“After almost 20 years at Mavericks I’ve seen a lot of it, but at least he was standing on his own two legs.

“He was then carted away in a waiting ambulance.”

He was taken to Stanford Medical Center and detained for observation overnight, where yesterday there was no statement on his condition.

Quirate said Butler and the film crew were impatient after waiting several days to get in the water.

“With Maverick’s and the entire Northern Hemisphere big-wave season off to a slow start surfers and the film crew were chomping at the bit to get a few days of surfing and filming in.

“Waves were running at 12ft, but some large ones had got through.”

Quirate had turned for the beach, when sirens went off.

“We could here the faint sounds of sirens in the distance. And as the sirens got closer they turned down the road and headed straight for us.

“One of the film crew’s radio cracked and I heard they were “bringing Gerry (Butler) in.”

“No sooner did I hear that transmission then a ski and Zodiac turned the corner at the Half Moon Bay harbor mouth and were coming in fast. I ran down to the dock, help tie off the Zodiac, and noticed Gerard on board.”

It was the exact spot where almost eight months ago 35-year-old Hawaiian surfer Sion Milosky died in a near identical accident at Maverick’s, a big wave haven 25 miles south of San Francisco.

Quirate, Water Operations Director of The Jay At Maverick’s Big Wave Invitational surfing event, said yesterday: “Butler had no business near the bowl or taking a Maverick’s set on the head.

The actor’s representatives were yesterday unavailable to comment and Butler’s production company Evil Twins Entertainment had no comment on his condition.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/12/19/gerard-butler-escapes-death-after-serious-surfing-accident-115875-23647819/#ixzz1h1ZJj7WR