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Cocaine's Nazi Ties Moved Mirren to Quit

Actress 'loved' drug, but link to war criminal opened her eyes

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 1, 2008 12:09 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Helen Mirren stopped using cocaine because of a Nazi war criminal. “I loved coke," says the Academy Award-winning actress. "I never did a lot, just a little bit at parties.” And she gave it up after learning that Klaus Barbie was living off cocaine proceeds while hiding out in South America in the 1980s, the Guardian reports.

“All the cards fell into place, and I saw how my little sniff of cocaine at a party had an absolute direct route to this fucking horrible man in South America,” recalled Mirren, who says she never used cocaine again. “Until that moment I had never grasped the full horrifying structure of what brings coke to our parties in Britain.”

British actress Helen Mirren told GQ magazine she has been held back by her looks.
British actress Helen Mirren told GQ magazine she has been held back by her looks.   (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Helen Mirren says she stopped using cocaine after discovering a Nazi war criminal had been making money from selling the drug while hiding in South America.
Helen Mirren says she stopped using cocaine after discovering a Nazi war criminal had been making money from selling the drug while hiding in South America.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
British actress Helen Mirren won an Oscar last year for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth.
British actress Helen Mirren won an Oscar last year for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth.   (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
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Mirren says she was date-raped
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...and comes under fire for her comments
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Dame Helen reveals what's held her back
Teletext

 
cocaine • rape • Nazi • South America • Helen Mirren • Klaus Barbie

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