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Ron Howard High on Set: Apollo 13 Mishap Revealed
4 Feb
Summary
- Director Ron Howard accidentally got high while filming Apollo 13.
- A zero-G plane was used to simulate weightlessness for the film's scenes.
- Howard revealed another incident where he lost consciousness during a physical.
In 1995, Ron Howard experienced an unintended psychoactive effect while filming the acclaimed movie Apollo 13. The production utilized a zero-gravity plane to realistically depict scenes in space, requiring the crew to consume a combination of scopolamine and Dexedrine known as Scopedex.
Howard recounted that after taking the mixture, an engine failure prevented them from flying. Unaware of the drug's effects outside a zero-gravity environment, he became hyperactively disoriented. The incident left him realizing the drug's unintended consequences when not used as intended.
In a separate recollection from a 2025 appearance, Howard shared a different behind-the-scenes story. He revealed that during a rigorous physical examination for a film, he experienced an episode of vagovagal syncope, causing him to lose consciousness and urinate himself.
He humorously recalled waking up to find actor Kevin Bacon present, offering a quick deal for his silence. The film Apollo 13 itself was nominated for nine Academy Awards, a testament to its cinematic success.
