Barry Diller: 'Popeye' Set Plagued by Cocaine Use

Barry Diller, former Paramount Pictures CEO, revealed that the set of the 1980 film 'Popeye,' starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall, was rife with cocaine use, with drugs smuggled to Malta in film cans sent for processing in Los Angeles. Diller described an atmosphere where 'everyone was stoned' and said the film’s frenetic pace reflected this environment. Orchestrator Van Dyke Parks confirmed the prevalence of drugs, recalling cocaine hidden in on-set equipment. Robin Williams, who struggled with cocaine addiction early in his career, reportedly became sober after John Belushi's death and later battled Lewy body dementia before his own passing. Shelley Duvall, also now deceased, starred alongside Williams. Despite chaotic production, 'Popeye' has received more favorable reviews over time, with Roger Ebert praising director Robert Altman’s work.