Shia LaBeouf Reflects on Feud with Alec Baldwin, Past Struggles, and Finding Faith

Shia LaBeouf is opening up about a difficult period in his life and career, offering insights into his past behavior and newfound path towards redemption. The actor, known for his work since childhood in Hollywood, discussed his past conflicts, specifically his tumultuous relationship with Alec Baldwin during their brief time working together on the Broadway play "Orphans" in 2013. The interview with The Hollywood Reporter sheds light on LaBeouf’s personal struggles and his journey towards self-improvement.

LaBeouf was initially cast opposite Al Pacino in "Orphans," but when Pacino exited the production, Baldwin stepped in as his replacement. This change proved to be a significant source of tension for LaBeouf. He admits taking responsibility for the issues that arose, acknowledging that he "was not a nice guy" during that time.

"By the time Baldwin got there, it was almost unfair," LaBeouf explained. "So he’s dealing with both my fractured little weak ego, right? All this hard prep that I’d done for two years, and my desperate need to show him all my prep, or that he would accept me somehow. I was so insecure. Well, that got contentious in the room. Then he got competitive. That’s just what our relationship turned into."

LaBeouf further elaborated on the dynamics between him and Baldwin, describing a competitive atmosphere. "I’d be off book, he’d be on book, and he didn’t want me to look at him be off book. That makes it hard to play these scenes out or block this thing even. And no fault against him, he had two weeks to come in because Pacino [dropped out]. I had built the whole thing based on my relationship with Pacino. And that’s gone. So I was kind of heartbroken."

The actor also revealed personal struggles he was battling at the time, including living in Central Park and using steroids. "When he came in, I’m living in the park, and I’m on steroids, and I’m not in a good way."

He described his living situation in Central Park, mentioning sleeping near the fire basin where horses are kept. "I was sleeping in Central Park. They keep horses there at this little fire basin. And there’s a whole lot of room around there where you can just chill. You got to move every three or four hours, and the guy comes around, but you can spend most of your time there."

LaBeouf admitted that his issues with Baldwin escalated, becoming "insane," but emphasized that they have since reconciled. "Me and him are good because he’s gone through a lot," he shared. "I’ve gone through a lot. We’ve both been able to send each other love and make it right before all the madness happened on both sides. We made it right. He’s a good guy. He’s just like me. Fear will make you move different. I found it came from having absolutely no spiritual life. . . . It made me a piece of s–t. Not a nice guy."

LaBeouf has found solace in his faith, converting to Catholicism and receiving the sacrament of confirmation last year. He even expressed interest in becoming a deacon.

"Me and Alec would never have these problems now," he acknowledged. "But I was in an island."

Baldwin has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding LaBeouf’s recent statements.

In a 2014 article he wrote for Vulture, Baldwin addressed his experience with LaBeouf, acknowledging the tension that existed between them from the start. Baldwin described LaBeouf as having "a jailhouse mentality" and recalled an incident where LaBeouf criticized him for not knowing his lines during rehearsals.

"When he came to rehearsal, he was told it was important to memorize his lines. . . . I, however, do not learn my lines in advance. So he began to sulk because he felt we were slowing him down. You could tell right away he loves to argue. And one day he attacked me in front of everyone. He said, ‘You’re slowing me down, and you don’t know your lines. And if you don’t say your lines, I’m just going to keep saying my lines.’"

Baldwin recounted a heated exchange with LaBeouf and his subsequent decision to leave the production. "One of us is going to go," Baldwin said. "I said, ‘I’ll tell you what, I’ll go.’ I said don’t fire the kid, I’ll quit. They said no, no, no, no, and they fired him. And I think he was shocked. He had that card, that card you get when you make films that make a lot of money that gives you a certain kind of entitlement. I think he was surprised that it didn’t work in the theater."

Despite his difficult experience with Baldwin, LaBeouf shared that he received support from other prominent actors during challenging times. He specifically mentioned Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, and James Brolin as instrumental in helping him achieve sobriety.

"He held my hand when I was really s—-ing on myself," he recalled about Mel Gibson. "Dude really stepped up for me in big ways. Him, Sean Penn, James Brolin — these guys got me to sobriety. They got around me and kept me alive."

LaBeouf briefly touched on the public perception of him, acknowledging the controversies he has faced, including the lawsuit filed against him by his former girlfriend, FKA Twigs, in 2020, alleging abuse during their relationship. LaBeouf has denied the allegations.

He understands that there is "all this myth already about how I’m a dog-killing, monstrous piece of s–t."

LaBeouf emphasized his commitment to rehabilitation and making amends for his past actions.

"I hope my whole life is squaring things, getting it right," the actor said. "It’s what I want to do with the rest of my life. And there’s a lot of things to get right. I’m blessed that I still have this craft and I’m still allowed to do it at a high level with the highest. It feels like a f—ing miracle. It’s all part of the same thing — God’s everything or nothing."