Jennifer Coolidge Says She Was 'Out of Control' Partying in Her 20s: 'Got Into a Lot of Trouble' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Coolidge in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2023.Photo:Courtesy of Jennifer Coolidge

Courtesy of Jennifer Coolidge

Jennifer Coolidgeis looking back on her career trajectory — and how a certain stage of her life influenced the types of roles she is drawn to.

The actress, 63, admits in a chat with PEOPLE surrounding her new movieRiff Raffthat when she was living in New York City in her 20s, “I got into a lot of trouble.”

“I was just partying in a way that was very extreme and not buckling down and trying to make anything really important happen, you know,getting a career goingor anything,” she explains. “I was busy going to the Palladium and stuff like that.”

“I remember it was one of those things where I felt like … I was completely out of control and I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop the train,” Coolidge continues.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Jennifer Coolidge in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2023.Courtesy of Jennifer Coolidge

The experience had a lasting impact on theWhite Lotusstar not only personally, but when it came to her professional life later.

“Somehow I ended up with these roles that are kind of like that,” Coolidge tells PEOPLE. “But I know the feeling so well: being on this weird train and incredibly vulnerable in my early 20s. You’re so vulnerable, and there’s all these kind of weirdos that come out of the woodwork and don’t have good intentions.”

“And so I feel like I just relived those days in these future jobs I got. How weird is that?” she says.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Jennifer Coolidge and Pete Davidson inRiff Raff(2025).Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

Family secrets and skeletons are uncovered over the course of the movie as the dysfunctional brood are thrust into a present-day criminal situation, putting them face to face with gangster Leftie (Bill Murray) and his henchman Lonnie (Pete Davidson).

Of casting Coolidge, Montiel, 59, tells PEOPLE he was watchingWhite Lotuswhen his wife pointed out, " ‘That’s Stifler’s mom,’ " fromAmerican Pie(1999). “I’m like, ‘Wow, she’s really good,’ " he recalls.

“She’s such a trip,” Montiel adds of Coolidge, noting that she was the first of theRiff Raffcast to sign on. “She brings a bag of tricks. … If you just embrace that, I think you’re going to be happy with it.”

Riff Raffis in theaters now.

source: people.com