John Mulaney is a popular comedian whose jokes always make the rounds, especially on social media. He had an excellent joke about how Donald Trump is “a horse in a hospital” which seemed to hit the right note, although Mulaney also shot himself in the foot, comedy-wise, when he appeared on Saturday Night Live the weekend before the election. His SNL joke was basically “Donald Trump and Joe Biden are both old men and there’s no real difference between them.” People were yelling at him A LOT. So much that he ended up apologizing and telling Jimmy Kimmel that he “deserved the backlash.” That was not even two months ago. And now I wonder if his much-hated performance on SNL was part of some kind of tragic bender. Apparently, he’s back in rehab because he’s been abusing cocaine and alcohol this year.
Comedian John Mulaney has checked into rehab for 60 days for alcohol and cocaine addiction. A source exclusively confirmed to Page Six that the 38-year-old golden boy of comedy checked into a Pennsylvania rehab facility this past weekend. Netflix stand-up star and “Saturday Night Live” alum Mulaney has been open about his past struggles with sobriety, telling stories of his partying and prescription and illegal drug abuse from a young age. He first became sober at age 23.
The source said, “John’s friends and family are happy that he’s finally getting some help and focusing on his health. His fans know he’s struggled in the past with sobriety, he has talked about it openly. Unfortunately he has struggled again during the pandemic. He’s on board with his recovery, he’s not fighting against rehab.”
In an interview last year, Mulaney revealed he began drinking at age 13. “I drank for attention,” he said. “I was really outgoing, and then at 12, I wasn’t. I didn’t know how to act. And then I was drinking, and I was hilarious again.”
He said in an Esquire cover story that his drinking also prompted him to start using drugs. He says that while he never liked smoking pot, he “loved” cocaine and dabbled with prescription drugs. “I wasn’t a good athlete, so maybe it was some young male thing of ‘This is the physical feat I can do. Three Vicodin and a tequila and I’m still standing,’” he said. “Who’s the athlete now?”
I mean, that’s one thing about mining your personal demons for comedy: you no longer have any secrets, for better or for worse. I think it’s probably a good thing that he’s been so open about his past drug and alcohol abuse and that allowed people close to him to recognize that he was in trouble. I hope he gets the help he needs, and I imagine his next Netflix special will be I Spent Christmas In Rehab. Kudos to him for checking into rehab voluntarily, because he knew he was struggling.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Well, good luck to him. That explains some of his odd appearances on Seth Meyers recently. The first one was funny, but then they got weird.
YES, that bizarre thing he did about the royals was the first thing that came to mind!
I kinda got a feeling, when he was hanging with Pete Davidson, calling him his best friend, that this was going to happen (given Pete’s & JM’s substance abuse histories). His comedy has seemed “off” for a while.
I really enjoy his comedy specials, and I hope this helps/works for him. 2020 has caused a LOT of people to revisit demons (drugs, alcohol, etc). I know I sure as hell am drinking more this year than ever before (up to 2 BIIIG glasses every night; I actually look forward to it! lol).
My NY’s resolution will be to go down to 1 glass, then 1 glass every other day….then down to maybe just weekends. I think it’s VERY responsible for my “Covid 15” that I must get in hand! 😊
Yeah, I hear you, Jan90067. The husband and I were getting to the point where it was over-indulgence towards the end of the summer and we had both gained weight from it too. We have assigned days in the office (to stagger when people are there) and I was Monday & Thursday during the late summer/early fall. I started taking the booze to my office on Mondays and locking it in my closet so there’d be no temptation and then I’d bring it back home on Thursday so we only drank on the weekend. It’s easier this December without all of the holiday parties as an excuse, too. We’re going to do the No Drink January thing to do a little reset, too. We did it last year and I lost 9lbs, which was a very added perk, haha. Good luck! <3
Thanks, Colleen! I forgot about the No Drink January thing…good idea! Wishing you all the best, too, with this, and in the New Year ❤️
He’s made comments about needing structure and routine, and the pandemic wrecked that. He has ADHD and likes to work.
Keeping him in my thoughts. Husband and I are big fans of his, and my heart goes out to everyone who is suffering this year because of the pandemic.
The election joke about “two old men, nothing will change” was SLOPPY, and I expect more from him.
Drugs make you THINK you’re hilarious, but you’re not.
I love him and knowing he wrote the Stefan sketches to crack up Bill Hader even more. Apparently there were rumors he and Anna were divorcing not even a week ago. I wish nothing but the best for them both. Addiction is hard. I can’t imagine during a pandemic.
I like him and I find him funny most of the time. I wish him well in his recovery (this part is not dependent on my liking him or finding him funny).
wishing him a speedy recovery and a road to getting well. these things happen, good for him to be seeking out help
Best of luck to him. I wish him health and happiness
This year has been tough for everyone, even more for those of us who were already dealing with addiction and mental health issues. I wish him the best and hope he will get better soon.
I know the pandemic has been hard on my anxiety and stress, I can only imagine how it is affecting the mental health of folks with addiction and serious mental health issues. Isolation and lack of routine is creating a lot of mental health exacerbation for millions of people. Good on him for getting help voluntarily. I hope we can also get help to the folks who don’t have his resources.
It has been horrible for those with mental health issues. My nephew has bipolar disease and he has had a miserable time, requiring hospitalization. My heart breaks for him and all others who struggle.
I have several friends with relatives who have Bi-Polar and they report the same issues. Not to mention, when your mental health depends on doctors and you can’t always get to see them…just a horrible set of circumstances. I think after the pandemic we are going to see the suffering from the complete collapse of our mental and physical health support systems for over a year leave long reaching issues. National mental health should be addressed and made so so much easier to access. I hope your brother is able to maintain well now that there is hope on the horizon for this to end
His comedy has never been my cup of tea. I saw his play, Oh Hello, in NYC a few years ago. I hated it and it turned me off the theatre for a while. I’ve never liked his work on SNL either, even when I didn’t know it was him that was behind it. I can’t figure out what it is about his work that just doesn’t speak to me? I think there’s a meanness to it, that I find unsettling. Or maybe it’s the narcissism in his characters? But there’s something else that I just can’t figure out.
He plays a super mean character in Oh Hello, and he’s talked about how it has allowed him to play “as mean as he really is,” so you may be picking up on that. But if you go deeper into some of his interviews and his comedy, I’ve found anyway that there’s a deeply sweet, ethical, searching soul underneath, with tons of anxiety and angst and anger mixed in. Anyway my hope is he’ll heal from whatever’s driving these and find his way home. Hard times…
I was late in appreciating Mulaney’s sense of humor but I get him. I thought, gee this guy is speeding, his comedy is drivel. It took “Oh, Hello” and his other work to get me interested in his standup. Mulaney, get well!
I’m not a huge fan of his work. But those Broadway SNL numbers he’s done are some of the best skits in SNL history IMO.
I wish him well,.
I love him, my heart skipped a beat last night when I heard. Just heartbroken. I know he got blasted for the recent SNL skit but he’s so not that kind of guy. He just made a mistake. It’s so hard to polish a routine without audience feedback, and that’s what this weird time is for comics.
My hope is that he’ll do the hard work re his childhood or whatever it is that fuels his angst, and heal. He seemed like he was doing so well at first too w the pandemic, but this made me realize I need to really check in w the people I love, you just never know what the isolation and other challenges of this time can do to even the strongest person.
Mmm… I think anyone still playing at the ‘both sides’ bit in this day and age knows perfectly well what they’re doing, workshopping or not. I’ll give him a pass since it seems he wasn’t in his right mind, but come on. No one needs an audience to figure out that ‘both sides’ is dead wrong. We rightfully dragged Matthew McConahey to filth for it.
I was p*ssed at him for that “both sides” joke, but I will also say he participated in BLM marches and there is no way he is at all a Trump supporter. I think he just told a crappy joke (and deserved to get called out for it).
and he apologized for it in a thoughtful way on Jimmy Kimml recently, worth watching I think. But yes, it was a damaging joke, and I wondered at the time what was going on w him, just seemed v off…
Best wishes on his recovery, and kudos for being engaged and invested in his sobriety. ODAAT
I’m wishing him all the very best and am glad he recognized he needed help. Addiction is a terrible disease that runs rampant in my family. My sister graduation from a 90-day intensive residential treatment program in April this year and has done phenomenally. My brother graduated from a 45-day intensive residential program last week and has a bright outlook.
Wishing your brother and sister well in their recovery. Kudos to them for getting treatment.
Wishing him well
Wishing him the best. I love his Netflix specials.
Glad he took this needed step, I hope it works for him and he gets healthy again.
I really enjoyed a few of his comedy specials, the horse in the hospital story will always be a classic from this time, but I was so put off by his last SNL appearance. This news sort of explains the shift.
Best wishes to him and his loved ones.
I wish him a full recovery. My middle daughter is currently in an inpatient facility for mood disorders that it took over a week to get into because they are all full. There was a list of kids behind her waiting as well. We spent a week in a short stay children’s hospital while we waited each day to hear if a bed opened up anywhere in our tri-state area. All the outpatient programs are also full so finding something for when she is discharged is nearly impossible. People who already had even mild anxiety are being pushed over the limit with this pandemic. It is horrifying to hear that so many children are suffering, let alone adults. When every psychiatric facility in a three state area is full for kids preteen age you know things are in crisis mode.
Our mental health has really taken a beating. My mother is a psychologist and has been working for free since March. People and children are struggling and disposable income has decreased or nearly disappeared for so many.
I believe I’m slowly sinking into another episode of depression, even if mild. My anxiety is off the charts and I can’t sleep, I wake up every morning so tired I can’t properly function. The worst part is that my partner is going through so much anxiety and uncertainty at work, and we can’t be there for each other as we are both depleted.
Even when COVID is done (if we ever get there…) and/or managed, we will see the consequences for years to come, especially in mental health.
I’m so sorry you are going through this and unfortunately you aren’t alone. I would suggest reaching out to someone soon. I think people are trying to deal with the anxiety alone and then it leads to a depression because they feel so overwhelmed. That is what happened to my daughter and even when we started meds they didn’t work fast enough to help her before a real breaking point. I hope you can find someone to talk to and find a good course of treatment. All the best to you.
this is so heartbreaking D but I’m so glad she’s getting the help she needs, all best wishes for your daughter, and to anyone struggling right now, I tell my students to reach out for help if they need it, that there’s no shame actually strength in it, but I know many have struggled a lot this year. And somehow this news today really drove it home for me…
He’s been one of my favorite comics since “New In Town,” so sad to hear this but hopefully he’s where he needs to be. In addition to being open about his history of addiction he’s also talked about his ADHD before. Having it myself, I can recognize that the loss of routine and stability caused by the pandemic has been really destructive for me, and I’m sure for him as well. Hope all works out well for him and Anna.
I don’t know who he is but the pandemic and necessary lockdowns have triggered sobriety for so many people I’m glad he’s seeking out the help he needs.
Wishing him well.
He’s so talented. I’m glad he’s getting the help he needs. Looking forward to more hilarious comedy specials from him ❤
God this makes me sad. I’m glad he’s getting help. His comedy got me through some really bleak moments, and I will always have a soft spot for him because of it.
I wish him the best. I’m sorry he relapsed, but it’s a positive thing that he’s getting help. I completely forgot he’d ever mentioned addiction in his standup and was pretty surprised by this.
I didn’t reply individually but I read every comment and I’m glad those of you who are suffering or have family who are suffering have this place to share. I hope it is helpful to be able to share with people who you might not know but who do care. And I do care. (I had to stop often to cry when you all shared your miscarriage stories). I wish I had better words of comfort. Let’s look forward to 2021 but please don’t put too much pressure on yourselves, our lives won’t be perfect when the vaccines are all rolled out but hopefully they will be better.
@Lizzie Hugs to you
There have been rumors recently that his marriage is in trouble. This might explain the stress on his relationship.
I have not watched his comedy specials but I did watch The Lunch Sack Kids program and that was pretty good.
I will him the best in recovery.
I suspect him joining Seth Meyers as a writer was one way he was trying to get a routine going and get away from some of his demons. I am glad he is getting help and I hope he is successful with his treatment.
I don’t normally comment on the internet. I’ve found it ends up taking more from me than I get from the interaction, especially these last few years. But I feel like I should now.
I’ve been in recovery for three years (alcohol and prescription methamphetamine) and I’m still not sober. I’ve spent 70 days in rehab, I’ve tried sober living, and I’m truly trying to work my steps in AA. But this is a lifelong struggle that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I was so ashamed when I first entered rehab. It didn’t help that I was in the middle of a messy divorce, where my ex-husband was gaslighting me and made everyone in my circle of support believe that me (and only me) was the reason for our failed marriage; and definitely not that he was emotionally, mentally, and eventually physically abusive, didn’t come home some nights, and absolutely drank more than I did (which is not to excuse that I was drinking way too much as a crutch).
I avoided the help I needed for a long time after that because I felt so stigmatized. It took eight months, a broken jaw from a drunken fall, and true depression rock-bottom before I went back for more help. And even after that, I continue to struggle because I’m still so angry about how the entire event went down and it’s so easy to lean into substances, especially now.
Essentially, I suppose, what I’m trying to say is that this is heroic and hard. If you have never suffered from addiction, from unhappiness so deep that you would prefer to drown it and pass out and sleep days away than confront it, from feeling odd and isolated…it’s impossible to describe. Seeing this story helped me not pour myself a lunchtime drink because I realllllly want to with the triggers of Christmas and having to see my family just around the corner.
So I hope anyone who is struggling is able to get that same value from this story as I did. And for any Celebitchys out there who are dealing with the same complex and weighty problems, I love you and I hope to keep seeing you (virtually) in the rooms. I’m not going to lie and say it gets easier quickly, but it does eventually.
Be safe and know you’re not alone.
wishing you continuing strength and courage and healing as you face this, you’re not alone either.
You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you.
Also, if your handle name is accurate, you should be able to look ahead and assure me that we’re all going to be fine…just fine 🙂
I’m glad, I didn’t want to intrude but I did want to offer support, v brave of you to share this and yes, my official prophecy is better times ahead in 2021! We just have to be patient, and brave, a bit longer… Take care for now and all the best
Oh, welp, your comment hits very close to home.
I applaud you for being in your own corner in life & understand. The despair that I felt after my ex decided that his image was the most important thing in life, and that he had to prove that he was perfect & “right”, while I was getting sober & we ended our marriage, is still palpable. I truly believed that my husband, friends & family would be there for me, and our little family, if seas got rocky &, boy, was I wrong. The thing I’ve learned is that I was never there for myself either, or my little family, and have finally learned how to do that. I now stand firm on my own two feet & tell people who are abusive to let my door hit them on their ass on the way out.
I’ll always think the ways things went down in my own life, like other’s dependencies on substances coloring their reactions and people’s sexism that gets unearthed during a divorce, as not okay. I do accept it now, though, and don’t believe those people can be healthily supportive for others (or themselves). I learned that acceptance is not condonement, but it helps me let go & even feel compassion for people who are hell bent on hurting those around them to feel superior… luckily it is no longer me (or you).
I’m so glad things have gotten easier for you & keep at it, cuz you are right & things do eventually become easier. Hugs & solidarity.
Thishitsclose Thank you for saying this for everyone who faces this struggle. Addiction has ripped a hole through parts of my family for 100 years and I admire your determination to continue to fight to not let it win. Please know we are rooting for you.
Wishing you the best possible recovery.
ThisHitsClose, Thank you for sharing your story, my heart goes out to you. Wishing you strength and peace.
ThisHitsClose: I teared up reading your post. I’m wishing you the very best in your recovery.
I’m thinking good thoughts for you. Wishing you peace.
Wow, you’re an amazing person, thank you for sharing your story. I admire your strength, bravery and determination. I wish you nothing but the best for your journey.
This makes me sad but I know staying sober is hard.
I’m glad he’s getting help
A fun moment while my son was home during the initial lockdown was playing dueling YouTube and ended up trying to show each other the same clips of John’s performances. The horse in a hospital bit is so funny and so spot on! And Diner Lobster is the best thing that has ever aired on SNL. I am sad he is struggling and glad he is getting help.
So, so much of what you wrote resonated with me (struggling to stay sober, gaslighting ex-husband). Thank you for sharing and for your eloquent words.
Anyone who struggles with addiction understands that it’s complex and sinister and just exhausting. It’s like living with a demon you are sometimes just not strong enough to fight.
I’ve been to rehab, too. I’ve used the pandemic as an excuse for more or less daily drinking. And I cry. A lot. I have to hide it from my kids (the drinking and the crying). Fortunately, I have a good, well-paying, very busy job that has kept my life from flying too far off the rails. And I’m grateful for that.
But, ThisHitsClose, know that this commenter needed to hear your words today. Thank you.
I was truly hoping that someone did. I’m also using the pandemic as an excuse (“what else am I going to do this evening? It’s not like I’m allowed to go anywhere or do anything”) and I know it’s unhealthy, but there are some days where I just can’t stand the boredom and isolation and getting drunk (not drinking, getting drunk) is all I want to do. Thank you for saying that because I feel a lot of shame a lot of the time for how I’ve allowed “these crazy times” to be my blanket excuse.
And @MM2, thank you for acknowledging and encouraging the need to stand in your own corner. I moved for my ex so all of my friends were his first, and once he told them I was “useless” and he was leaving me, I never heard from any of them again. Some of them were even in my wedding. My ex was so disgusted by me trying to get sober because I think he perceived it as a weakness, and even though he was the one with DUIs, who threw up in public and passed out sometimes, who had anger issues that made everyone uncomfortable all the time, I was the embarrassment because I went to rehab. I agree SO HARD with you that sometimes you MUST prioritize yourself. Learning to just accept that I need help, and that that’s not shameful, and that relapses happen, and to help myself first or I can’t be there for others…most valuable lesson in my 33 years. Wishing you everything you wished me right back.
If anyone else feels like adding to the thread, maybe if you don’t often comment, etc. know that I’m truly touched by everyone’s words and am loving the love here…so please do <3
This makes me so sad. He has brought me so much joy through his comedy. I hope he and his wife make it through this.
I hadn’t heard of this fellow before, but I watched the ‘Horse in the Hospital’ clip & now I’m a fan. Glad he’s getting the help he needs. I wish him well.
Love John Mulaney. His segment about Bill Clinton in “The Comeback Kid” is brilliantly funny. Nothing but compassion and respect and good for him for getting help.
I’ve been a long time lurker but it’s the first time I comment on a post. Mulaney’s humour was the only thing that could put a smile on my face while going through a painful breakup during the confinement and I hope he will come out stronger the other side.
For Thishitsclose. I’m an addict and a counselor and I’ve studied and wondered and learned and read. I wrote down the words you wrote. I’ve never read addiction put so compassionately understood in the way that you have, and I take it with me.
When he made that joke on SNL about there being no difference between candidates, I said to my husband, “That doesn’t sound like him. He sounds exhausted and sad.” When he took a job at Late Night with Seth Meyers, I wasn’t surprised. It made weird sense in the context of his SNL appearance, like stepping back and writing for someone else would offer a lot of security or whatever. Learning that his sobriety was in peril was not surprising, either. I really like John Mulaney and I hope this time away is helpful.