BRITISH actor Steve Coogan is back in the United States and trying desperately to salvage his career after being blamed for Owen Wilson’s drug problems and attempted suicide earlier this week.
Coogan was put in the spotlight for Wilson’s heroin and cocaine problems after his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Love, told Us Weekly, “I went through it with Steve . . . I was just out of rehab, and he was right there with the drugs . . . I hope from the bottom of my heart that Owen stays the hell away from that guy.”
Our source reports, “Coogan was in Hawaii when the news [of Wilson’s suicide try] hit, but he came back Wednesday night and is trying to get in touch with Owen, Luke [Wilson] and Ben [Stiller]. He’s trying to make sure that the movie [’Tropic Thunder’] doesn’t fall through now.”
Wilson had a small role in “Tropic Thunder,” an ensemble comedy Stiller is directing that stars Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as well as Coogan, who had hung out regularly with the Wilson brothers and Stiller, forming what some in Hollywood called the “Frat Pack.”
The spy added, “He used his relationships and his contacts with seedy people to get bit parts in movies and to get famous.”
Coogan fired back on “Access Hollywood,” saying, “I do want to set the record straight and say that the allegations . . . are completely and utterly false.”
He also told BlackBook magazine editor Steve Garbarino that after he and Love broke up, she tried to break into his home and stalked him - allegations that made Love’s friends furious.
“He has stalked Courtney over the years,” a Love pal fumed. “He has gone to her house on several occasions. He e-mailed her nanny. He asked her to marry him and told her, ‘You’re the most intriguing woman alive.’ You name it. His saying Courtney ever stalked him is the biggest lie ever! He has done nothing but go out of his way to hurt her. He’s obsessed with her.”
Love hasn’t had contact with Coogan in months, except for an e-mail she sent him after Wilson’s suicide attempt. It read, “You must feel really great right now. Does this feel life-affirming?” Love has said on her Web site she’ll have no further comment.
(Via pagesix)