Behind the Scenes of Robin Williams’ ‘Popeye’: Wild Tales of Cocaine Smuggling and a High-spirited Film Set

Barry Diller recently shared some wild stories from his days as CEO of Paramount Pictures during a book tour for his memoir, “Who Knew.” At a New York City event, he opened up about memorable moments in film history. When asked by Anderson Cooper about the most outrageous film set he had seen, Diller didn’t hesitate: “Popeye” (1980) directed by Robert Altman.

Diller described the set with a hint of humor, saying, "By the way, you can watch it. If you watch ‘Popeye,’ it’s like running at 78 RPM instead of 33." He explained that the atmosphere on set was intense, with drug use being prevalent.

“They were actually shipping in film cans at the time. Those cans were used to bring back processed film to Los Angeles from Malta, where the movie was shot—but they were also transporting cocaine,” Diller revealed. It seems that many on set were under the influence.

“Popeye” starred Robin Williams, marking his first major film role after becoming famous from “Happy Days” and “Mork & Mindy.” The film had a decent box office run, earning around $60 million globally, nearly double its budget. However, critics had mixed feelings.

Variety noted that while “Popeye” didn’t turn out as bad as it could have, it still fell short of success. They highlighted Williams’ performance, appreciating his physical transformation into the character but found some of his lines difficult to understand.

Looking back, “Popeye” serves as a fascinating glimpse into not just a movie but an era where film production was a wild ride. Diller’s stories reflect both the creative chaos and challenges of making films during a unique time in Hollywood.

For fans and film historians, understanding a movie’s background adds layers to the viewing experience. If you’re curious about the influence of drugs in Hollywood, you might want to check out this detailed report from The Washington Post. It sheds light on how substance use has shaped many iconic films throughout the decades.

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Barry Diller,Popeye,Robin Williams