American actor Todd LaTourrette has admitted he cut off his own arm and lied about being a military veteran, which led to him landing more acting roles.
Todd, who is best known for his role as Skell in the ‘Breaking Bad’ spin-off ‘Better Call Saul’, revealed he mutilated himself during a “psychotic episode” 17 years ago when he stopped taking his medication for bipolar disorder.
The actor says he began to get more work after severing his arm, which he said happened whilst serving in the military.
“I severed my hand with a Skil saw,” he told KOB4. ”The film industry obviously took a different angle. That I was different. And so they liked that,”
The lie helped him land roles in ‘Longmire’ (2014), ‘A Bird Of The Air’ (2011) and ‘The Men Who Stare At Goats’ (2009).
He added: “I was dishonourable. I’m killing my career by doing this, if anyone thinks this was for personal edification, that’s not the case.”
Since coming forward, Todd says he has been dropped by his agent, but adds that he is now more interested in helping other people living with mental illness.
“I simply wanna help one person that’s struggling with mental illness to say, ‘I can do things differently,’” he told INSIDER.
“And to take that cup of water and to take those pills, if they need. And to be strong. They are my heroes. People that care for themselves that are mentally ill are my heroes. As well as the military men and women. All of them are my heroes.”
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.