Actor Billy Zane has described a bizarre incident that occurred during the 1996 filming of "Titanic," during which an unidentified individual laced the cast and crew's seafood chowder with PCP. The hallucinogenic drug, also known as angel dust, led to approximately 50 people, including director James Cameron and actor Bill Paxton, experiencing its effects. Many of those affected sought medical attention.
Cameron reportedly managed to counteract the drug's effects by inducing vomiting, while Paxton opted to consume a case of beer after observing the crowded emergency room. The mystery of who administered the drug in the chowder remains unsolved. When questioned about the incident on the "Brotherly Love" podcast, Zane cryptically stated, "I can neither confirm nor deny."
Zane clarified that he was not present during the particular scene being filmed that evening, which was part of the "modern day portion of the film," as opposed to the period sequences featuring his character, Caledon "Cal" Hockley. The film's main storyline is set in 1912 aboard the ill-fated ship, focusing on the love triangle between Winslet's character Rose, Zane's wealthy fiancé Cal, and DiCaprio's penniless artist Jack.
Zane reassured listeners that Gloria Stuart, the 86-year-old actress who played the elderly Rose in the framing device, did not consume the drugged soup. He recounted that those who began to experience the drug's effects recognized what was happening and chose to "ride this one out," while others who were unaware were "pretty terrified."
Jokingly, Zane suggested that the PCP incident was the "the true secret to the success of the film." "Titanic" went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, a record it held for 12 years until it was surpassed by Cameron's "Avatar" in 2009. The movie also tied the record for most Oscar wins with 11 Academy Awards.
Bill Paxton, who portrayed the modern-day treasure hunter Brock Lovett, previously shared his account of the incident in 2015 on "Larry King Now." He recalled himself and Cameron being among a group of about 150 crew members who went to a small hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, around 1 a.m. Paxton described the scene as chaotic, with some people "freaking out, some people are conga dancing, some people are euphoric."
Paxton recalled believing that a neurotoxin in the clams was the cause, initially unaware it was PCP. Given the long wait at the hospital, he decided against being examined and instead returned to his accommodation to drink a case of beer, which he found to be an effective remedy.
