Richard Webber Given ‘first-hand knowledge’ of Father’s Alcoholism

AUDIO – ACTING WHAT HE KNOWS –

May 16, 2024 – Grey’s Anatomy’s Richard Webber actor knows what living with alcoholism is like “first-hand” to his dad. In the first six seasons of the ABC and Disney+ medical drama, Richard struggled with alcoholism until he was able to finally get hold of his addiction and remain sober. Richard didn’t turn to alcohol when season 20 made its debut and instead sought help again in the form of AA meetings to get him back on track.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, actor James Pickens Jr opened up on how his dad’s own battle with addiction assisted him in depicting the emotionally-driven storyline making a return.

“I have a special attachment to that storyline since the beginning”, he commented.

“Long story short, I have first-hand knowledge of it, my dad struggled with alcoholism towards the later part of his life.

“He fought it valiantly up until he passed so I got a chance to be a part of that and so I use that as a kind of launch pad emotionally and technically as an actor, to forward that storyline.”