"Caddyshack" Star Michael O'Keefe Says Cocaine Was "Budgeted" on Set: "Like Toothpaste"

Michael O’Keefe, who played Danny Noonan in the 1980 comedy classic“Caddyshack,”says cocaine was so common on set that it was listed as a miscellaneous budget expense. In a new interview with Page Six, the 71-year-old said the drug was treated casually by the cast and crew during the 11-week shoot in fall 1979.“People were just treating it like it was toothpaste, and you had to do it twice a day to stay healthy,”he said.

O’Keefe admitted he filmed some scenes while high, calling it a memory he isn’t happy about. He also said the experience marked the last time he ever used the drug. The turning point, he explained, was the death of Doug Kenney, the film’s co-writer and producer, who died by suicide in 1980 at age 33. O’Keefe described it as a“huge wake-up call”and attributed it to drug addiction.

Despite its reputation as one of the most beloved comedies ever made, O’Keefe says the reality behind the camera was far from the fun fans imagine.“It all looks like a lot of fun and exciting…but the behind-the-scenes is so much different,”he said. Does hearing this change how you feel about watching“Caddyshack”? Sound off in the comments.