Andrew Lloyd Webber at the 78th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, June 2025.
John Nacion/Variety
Legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has opened up about his personal battle with alcohol dependency. In a candid interview with The Times published this past Saturday, the 78-year-old EGOT winner revealed that he began his commitment to sobriety over a year ago. While he noted that formal clinical stays proved ineffective, he expressed a profound appreciation for the support he found within Alcoholics Anonymous.
“I am a recovering alcoholic,” he shared with the publication. “Sixteen months ago, I reached a point where I knew I needed help, and it has been the most transformative decision of my life.”
Although Lloyd Webber had previously addressed his struggles with drinking during the 2015-2016 run of School of Rock on Broadway, he admitted that he eventually relapsed.
Reflecting on that difficult period, he explained, “I was ‘white-knuckling’ it without any real support system, and I began to fear that my creative spark was fading. Because I had publicly stated that I wasn’t drinking, I resorted to hiding my habit—I started drinking in secret.”
The composer, currently represented on Broadway by Cats: The Jellicle Ball, described a downward spiral that reached a breaking point about 18 months ago, placing an immense strain on his family life. “My wife felt like she couldn’t carry on,” he confessed.
Lloyd Webber admitted to a common misconception: “As a wine drinker, you don’t necessarily view yourself as an alcoholic—you associate that with spirits. It was a profound shock to realize I was consuming vodka just to keep the addiction concealed.”
He acknowledged his fortune in avoiding a major catastrophe. “I’m incredibly lucky that I didn’t experience a horrific accident, but I’ve certainly had my share of near misses,” he noted. “I deeply regret that time, and I sincerely apologize to anyone affected by my actions.”
Regarding his daily attendance at AA meetings, he found the experience unexpectedly grounding. “People used to warn me I wouldn’t like it, expecting a rough crowd. The reality is quite the opposite. Everyone is equal in those rooms. I’ve formed genuine friendships that I never imagined possible.”
When questioned about whether his drinking influenced his artistic output, he replied, “Probably not significantly, though I can identify a couple of hits where I’d had a glass of wine and felt, ‘Well, that works.’”
Looking ahead, Lloyd Webber is currently developing two new stage projects: one inspired by the 2006 film The Illusionist and another centered on the infamous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa.
