Swank says husband's addiction hurt marriage

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank said the breakdown of her eight-year marriage to actor Chad Lowe was partially due to the substance abuse problem he had been battling.
Swank, who won best-actress Oscars for her performance in "Million Dollar Baby" and "Boys Don't Cry," confirmed in May that the couple had decided to end their marriage after separating in January but gave no reason for the split.

Swank told the latest edition of magazine Vanity Fair, which arrived on newsstands on Wednesday, that she was shocked when she found out about Lowe's addiction, which contributed to their marriage's slide.

"I don't want to make it seem like that's the sole reason; there were other factors," Swank said. "But that just kind of blew it open; it made me look at things a lot deeper.

"It's an enormous obstacle to overcome and he's doing it. He's living a sober life. I know how difficult it is and I'm really proud of his sobriety."

A representative for Lowe had no comment on the report.

Swank, 31, did not give details on what substances were abused by Lowe, who works mostly in television and whose career has been overshadowed by Swank's, as well that of his better-known older brother Rob Lowe.

Swank and Lowe, 38, married in September 1997. She said she initiated the divorce but it ended up being mutual.

Reuters/VNU

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