Shia LaBeouf Opens Up About How His Co-Star With Down Syndrome Saved His Life In New Interview

During the filming of “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” Shia LaBeouf said his co-star, Zack Gottsagen, who was born with Down Syndrome ‘saved him’ after multiple embarrassing incidents involving alcohol. 

According to Unilad, in the film, Zak, played by Gottsagen, runs away from his home to achieve his dream of being a professional wrestler, landing him on the road with Tyler, played by LaBeouf.

But outside of the film, the two actors built a special bond as LaBeouf struggled through a difficult time. In fact, he said Gattsagen helped bring him back to the real world.

In an interview with Channel 4’s Cathy Newman, the pair talk about their experiences filming the movie, with LaBeouf discussing the privileges of working with Gottsagen.

“I don’t think anybody else could have done what he did in the film… if you brought in Daniel Day-Lewis, you wouldn’t have had the same moments,” LaBeouf said.

LaBeouf has had a difficult relationship with the press for years, with stories routinely appearing regarding his attitude on-set. Back in July of 2017, he was arrested in Georgia on charges of disorderly conduct, obstruction, and public drunkenness. TMZ obtained and released bodycam footage from the incident showing the 31-year-old outrageously lashing out at officers only making matters worse.

Following the incident he posted a lengthy statement on Twitter apologizing for his actions writing: 

”I am deeply ashamed of my behavior and make no excuse for it. I don’t know if these statements are too frequent, or not shared often enough, but I am certain that my actions warrant a very sincere apology to the arresting officers, and I am grateful for their restraint. The severity of my behavior is not lost on me. My outright disrespect for authority is problematic, to say the least, and completely destructive to say the worst. It is a new low. A low I hope is a bottom.”

Just a day later, he was on the set of the film, on a boat, feeling as tho he “couldn’t look anyone in the eye.” However, Gottsagen eased his worries.

“[He] nursed me back, on a boat, during a scene where we’re talking about the painful past. That stuff hurts,” LaBeouf expressed. 

Gottsagen told Newman he gave LaBeouf “one chance to prove to himself. Never, never, never do this kind of stuff again.”

Newman’s follow up question to LaBeouf, suggested Gottsagen saved him, asking, “‘Would that be too dramatic to say?” His response, “No, it’s not too dramatic to say.”

According to The Times, Gottsagen’s mother Shelly said LaBeouf hasn’t had another drink since that day on the boat.

In an interview with Esquire, LaBeouf said his co-star “changed the course of his life.” 

“To hear [Gottsagen] say that he was disappointed in me probably changed the course of my life. Zack can’t not shoot straight, and bless him for it because, in that moment, I needed a straight shooter who I couldn’t argue with.”