Samuel L. Jackson

Alcohol & drugs · sober since 1991

After nearly two decades of heavy drinking and drug use, Jackson entered rehab in 1991. Two weeks later, still early in recovery, he took the role that gave his career its first real breakthrough. He's been open for decades about crediting his sobriety directly with the career that followed — one that made him one of the highest-grossing actors in film history.

Barack Obama

Smoking · quit around 2010

Obama smoked on and off for decades and tried to quit more than once, including a public pledge during his 2008 campaign. It took years of relapses before it finally stuck — Michelle Obama confirmed in 2011 that he'd been smoke-free for close to a year. He's since spoken publicly about how hard it was, and encouraged others trying to quit not to be discouraged by setbacks.

Elton John

Alcohol & cocaine · sober since 1990

After years of addiction that he's said nearly cost him his life, Elton John entered treatment in 1990 and has been sober ever since. He's spoken openly about how getting sober let him reconnect with his music and his purpose — and he's gone on to mentor other artists, including Eminem, through their own recovery.

Robert Downey Jr.

Drugs · sober since 2003

After years of arrests, relapses, and being considered too much of a risk to insure for film roles, Downey committed to sobriety in 2003 following an ultimatum from his now-wife. A friend personally covered his insurance so he could work again — he went on to become one of the highest-paid actors in the world.

Anthony Hopkins

Alcohol · sober since 1975

After a night of drinking and driving he couldn't even remember, Hopkins asked for help and had his last drink on December 29, 1975. Decades later, he still marks the date every year and continues to encourage others struggling with alcohol to reach out — "it's not unique," he's said, "there are thousands of people like me."

Jamie Lee Curtis

Opioids & alcohol · sober since 1999

Curtis hid a decade-long addiction to painkillers even from her own family, until a friend caught her using and she finally attended her first recovery meeting in February 1999. She's been open ever since about how getting sober became, in her words, her single greatest accomplishment — bigger than any award or role.

Eminem

Prescription drugs · sober since 2008

After years of addiction to sleeping pills and painkillers led to a near-fatal overdose in 2007, Eminem got sober on April 20, 2008, with help from a rehab counselor. The album he released the following year, and the one after that, both went on to win Grammys — and he's marked every sobriety anniversary publicly since.