# What do actors snort in cocaine scenes?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 28, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257 "2002-07-28T17:37:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![youngdr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ce73a5/32.png) [@youngdr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/youngdr)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257/1 "2002-07-28T17:37:13Z")

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In the movie “Blow,” Johnnie Depp’s character snorted a LOT of cocaine. Despite their reputations, it’s clear that an actor could not inhale the real stuff in take after take. So what do they use?

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257/2 "2002-07-28T18:08:19Z")

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[This site](http://filmbeatcc.tripod.com/id46.htm) says Depp used powdered milk in that movie. (look at the news for 4/5/01)

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**Author:** ![zen101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@zen101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen101)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257/3 "2002-07-28T19:18:55Z")

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as Zipper says, powdered milk is the most common but there are substitutes for vegans or lactose intelorant actors. I believe I read that soda has been used or cornstarch. Powdered milk was laso what was used in Boogie Nights (according to the audio commentary everyone in that scene got really sick).

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**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2002, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-actors-snort-in-cocaine-scenes/121257/4 "2002-07-28T21:32:41Z")

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Sometimes, with a little camera trickery, they don’t have to snort anything- shot of guy rolling up a bill, CU on the end of the bill sucking up powder, guy leans back and wipes his nose.