Alec Baldwin reveals toll of ‘Rust’ shooting on his mental health
Alec Baldwin has opened up on how the Rust shooting, which led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has impacted his mental health.
In late 2021, Baldwin fired a prop gun which had been loaded with ammunition without his knowledge that led to Hutchins’ death. Baldwin later faced a trial for involuntary manslaughter but the case was dismissed. Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving an 18-month sentence for evidence tampering.
Although Baldwin is no longer facing any charges, he recently filed a lawsuit against Santa Fe officials. It claims they “conspired to procure a groundless indictment” against Baldwin “under the colour of the law,” leading to a violation of the actor’s constitutional rights “by their improper use of the criminal process.”
In his new reality television show for TLC, The Baldwins, which follows his life with his wife, Hilaria, and their seven children, the actor opened up on the ordeal.
Looking back on the shooting and subsequent trial that followed, Baldwin shared (via People): “This has been just surreal. I mean, I can’t even believe that we’re going through this, and I always feel more in pain about you than me, because I think to myself, well, you know, I’m going to try to my best to just get through it, and I think what it’s done to you and how much it’s hurt you and everything.”
In another scene during the new reality series, Baldwin admitted, “This past year was just terrible. There were times I’d lay in bed. I’d go, ‘Wow, my kids. I can’t get up.’ That’s not like me. I’m not like that at all, not in any way am I like that. Never.”
His wife, Hilaria, also said: “Everyone who is close to Alec has seen his mental health decline. He was diagnosed with PTSD, and he says in his darkest moments, ‘If an accident had to have happened this day, why am I still here? Why couldn’t it have been me?’. You wake up in the morning and you’re like, ‘Oh god, why did I wake up?’”
Baldwin also discussed his current well-being and recited a conversation with a friend who had asked about his situation, recalling, “I said, ‘I’m happier when I’m asleep than when I’m awake’.”
The Baldwins is set to premiere on February 23rd, 2025, on TLC.
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