Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf has opened up about the emotional and spiritual transformation he’s experienced on his road to sobriety, naming three major stars who played pivotal roles in helping him rebuild his life.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Shia revealed how Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, and Josh Brolin each supported him during some of his darkest moments.
The Fury and Transformers star said his journey began to take a positive turn when he met Mel Gibson in 2022, two years after public abuse allegations had emerged against him. It was Gibson who first introduced Shia to Latin mass church services while the actor was researching for a film project. Shia reflected on the connection with deep emotion, saying, “Mel and I are very close. Big respect, big love. He’s always been very lovely to me.”
Throughout the interview, Shia emphasized how spiritual and emotional support became key pillars in his recovery. “There was a bunch of guys that I looked up to that just started popping up. I had never, ever felt that kind of love — not like that,” he admitted. Among those men was Sean Penn, who inspired Shia to channel his healing into creative work. “Sean showed up and motivated me to do this as a play,” he said.
Josh Brolin also stood by Shia during this period, and the actor expressed how grateful he feels to be surrounded by people who genuinely care for his wellbeing. When asked if these friendships — particularly with Sean Penn — could act as a “gateway to rehabilitation,” Shia responded, “I hope so. I hope my whole life is about that. I want the rest of my life to be about squaring things, getting it right.”
Now 38 years old, Shia LaBeouf seems to be embracing a path of redemption. “It feels like a miracle,” he said. “I’m blessed that I still have this craft and I’m still allowed to do it at a high level.”
Shia’s comeback continues with the release of his latest film, Henry Johnson, directed by David Mamet, which hits theaters today, May 9.