How Dennis Quaid Learned to Shake His Characters Off at Home

Dennis Quaid has realized a lesson that it is very best to leave your performing gigs on set.

Just before having on the role of pianist Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1989 movie Great Balls of Fireplace!, Quaid, 70, exclusively recalled to Us Weekly that he would devote days centered on his character.

“I had a yr to prepare for this role and so I sat at the piano for 12 several hours a working day for a 12 months, which is simple if you are on cocaine,” he shared with Us on Friday, April 12, although supporting his new film The Extensive Recreation. “The piano is a thing else. And he is, he’s just one of the finest piano gamers ever, ever. It’s so athletic the way he performs. And what a dude.”

Lewis was open about his struggles with alcohol and cocaine right before his loss of life at his Mississippi home in Oct 2022. He was 87.

Soon after portraying the musician on the big display screen, Quaid himself checked into rehab – or “cocaine school” as he’s referred to it in earlier interviews – for cocaine habit. All through his preliminary restoration, the actor married Meg Ryan in 1991 and had their son, Jack Quaid, 31. The pair divorced in 2001. (Quaid is also father to twins Thomas and Zoe, 16, with ex-wife Kimberly Buffington.)

One matter he figured out from therapy is you cannot have do the job lead your complete lifetime.

“Can’t bring it home,” Quaid explained. “Cocaine college taught me that. So you have obtained to allow go of stuff.”

There is 1 element of Lewis’ character that Quaid can’t seem to be to shake. “The fantastic element of taking part in him is that I continue to enjoy piano,” he stated, “and ongoing.”

He’s also been in a position to keep on his productive career in Hollywood. A return to his Christian faith has been a critical element of Quaid’s sobriety.

When offered the chance to star in The Very long Video game and concentration on the accurate-daily life tale of 5 Mexican-American youths who triumphed against all odds in their pursuit of a Texas Point out High School Golfing Championship trophy, Quaid couldn’t say no.

“I do not believe people today go to the videos to see items. They go to experience issues and there is hope in this movie,” Quaid shared about the loved ones-helpful flick. “I want them to be entertained, range a person. And I want them to see by themselves when they have been young children or whichever. Every person has an practical experience that they can relate to in this film.”

Times after celebrating his 70th birthday on April 9, Quaid stays enthusiastic about his potential the two at residence and in Hollywood.

Married to Laura Savoie since 2020, The Mum or dad Lure actor appears to be all-around at his lifetime and is crammed with gratitude.

“Life really receives easier as you get by,” he discussed. “You take pleasure in it extra due to the fact you’ve been by factors ahead of and so you never get so emotionally labored up about it and you could say, ‘Well, this is coming and it is heading to move.’ Then the superior periods are just terrific. I definitely respect each individual day. I have by no means been happier to convey to you the fact.”

The Very long Sport is in theaters now.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi