Chris Klein enjoyed early stardom by starring in Election and American Pie early in his career. However, he learned quickly it would not last forever.

The actor describes that part of his career as “magic”, but a battle with alcoholism nearly cost him his career and his life. He believes he would have died and he tells PEOPLE that he thinks about that every day. Klein opened up about his struggles in the interview.

After two DUI arrests and a jail interest, the Nebraskan born actor knew things had to change and he had to turn his life around. He said: “It got to the point where I was a fragile shadow of the young man that came into this business. Today, I’m the luckiest guy alive.”