Anna Faris' Real-Life Was Closer To Her Mom Character's Than We Ever Expected

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The following references alcoholism. 

For seven seasons, Anna Faris portrayed a single mom who embarks on a sobriety journey on the CBS sitcom "Mom." Unbeknownst to fans, Faris' life resembled Christy Plunkett's more than they could have imagined. Even though she has been in the spotlight for more than 25 years, she didn't share her struggles with alcohol until August 2026, when she revealed she had been sober since the previous year. "There's a correlation between drinking and depression, for me, for sure. I had to take a step back and not self-sabotage," she said on Chelsea Handler's "Dear Chelsea" podcast.

Later, Faris revealed that her role on "Mom" had hit much closer to home, and she used her experience to encourage others to keep up hope. "I've been sober for a year and a half. I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it. Now I'm healthy, I'm working, and I'm happier than I've been in a long time. If anyone reading this is where I was, I hope that's useful. It gets better. I'm proof," she wrote in an October 2026 Instagram post.

In the post, Faris also hinted that she left "Mom" in part because of her addiction, a revelation she wrote in response to creator Chuck Lorre's scathing comments about working with her in his October 2026 memoir, "Sitcom." In the comments section, Faris received an onslaught of support from many who found solace in "Mom" amid personal struggles with alcoholism. "I've had several friends and family members with this horrible disease and the show was very healing for me," a netizen commented. Faris' admission and response to Lorre were met with overwhelming support.

In "Sitcom: A Memoir," Chuck Lorre (seen above) revealed he initially felt unsure about casting Anna Faris in "Mom," having doubts about her ability to deliver on the material. Ultimately, he decided to give her a chance following Lorre's feud with "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen. "Someone's personal life is none of my business," he wrote (via Variety). However, he later concluded that Faris' abrupt "Mom" exit proved he should have followed his gut. "She left the show for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show," he penned.

In her post, Faris admitted surprise and hurt feelings over Lorre's remarks but emphasized that she had nothing but gratitude. "Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted," she penned. In the aftermath, Faris received a barrage of support from former "Mom" co-stars, many of whom openly criticized Lorre. "Whenever I saw Anna — I saw a woman working hard to make a good show. Whenever I saw Chuck — I saw a man trying hard not to turn into a werewolf," French Stewart wrote on Instagram.

Jeff Greenstein, who worked as a director during the first two seasons, also had no problem choosing her side. "I could not disagree more with my former boss. I loved working with you and was (and remain) awestruck by your talent," he commented on her Instagram post. Justin Long, who played Faris' love interest in Season 1, opted to simply highlight Faris' work ethic. "You really helped me navigate what was a very different medium for me with patience and so much humor," he wrote. Faris definitely handled the situation with grace. 

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).