Alan Ritchson opens up on the struggles and pressures that fame brings. The glitzy and glamorous world of Hollywood often gives the impression that success equals happiness. The deteriorating mental health of those in the limelight and the ubiquitousness of mental illnesses and therapy prove that that might not be the case. 
Alan Ritchson in a still from Titans
Launched to stardom with his show Reacher, model-turned-actor Alan Ritchson is one such celebrity. Ritchson has revealed that fame took a toll on his mental health. With suicidal tendencies, the actor had a hard time coping.

Alan Ritchson On Struggling With Depression

Alan Ritchson in a still from Reacher
Known for his remarkable acting in shows like Blue Mountain State and Titans, Alan Ritchson’s fame increased multifold with the success of his Amazon Prime Video crime-thriller series Reacher. The adventures of a former police major of the US military, who now lives a nomadic life, settling and causing issues in different American towns; managed to captivate audiences globally.

Even with the light of success shining so magnificently on him, Ritchson found himself in the darkest of shadows. Speaking candidly on the matter in an appearance on the Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum Podcast, the actor said:

“I could not pull myself out of it. I couldn’t get up in the morning like you know the things that you talk about with depression, I only wanted to sleep all the time. It felt so foreign to me somebody with like this zest for life and this energy, this drive, this work ethic… and to feel like I don’t. I can’t get out of bed, I don’t understand why I would want to anyway.”

In addition to the feeling of being lost, Ritchson also felt a burden to his family, as he said,

“And then feeling like now I’m just a burden to my family. My kids are seeing me like this. I can’t let them see me like this. I’m this shell of myself and they see me in bed all day. It would just be better if I wasn’t here.”

However, this wasn’t Ritchson’s end all be all. After hitting rock bottom, he found his way back.

Alan Ritchson: An Absolute Family Man
Alan Ritchson in a still from The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

It is a human tendency to hide one’s struggles and pain from the people closest. The pressure to maintain a flawless image both on and off-screen, primarily for his children, caused Ritchson to break down. It was with his family, particularly his wife’s help that he was saved from the dark depths of despair. Recounting a conversation he had with his wife, the actor said:

“I came to her and I said ‘I think it’s better if I am not here’. And she was like:‘Please don’t do anything crazy.’”

With proper help, Ritchson found his footing back. The actor has now taken the initiative to prioritize what’s truly important to him. He has sold his house and started living on the road with his wife Catherine and their three sons. Furthermore, the actor has started a YouTube channel to talk about his Faith in Christianity.

Watch Reacher seasons one and two on Prime Video.