Jackson Odell's friend reveals he was "not suicidal" and was "so ready to live"
Only a few moments after it was reported that 20-year-old actor Jackson Odell - best known for his role as Ari Caldwell on 'The Goldbergs' - was found dead, a family friend of his has come up and spoken about the actor and slammed the accusations that he was probably depressed.
Odell had been acting since he was 12, playing guest roles on several TV shows, like "iCarly," "Modern Family" and "Arrested Development." He was also a singer/songwriter.
The 'iCarly' actor was reportedly found unresponsive in a sober living home in San Fernando Valley on Friday. "We're told he was found unresponsive in a sober living home, and there were no signs of foul play," said the statement from TMZ.
American comedian Josh Wolf, who is a family friend of the demised actor, spoke to Sun Online and said, “It is important people know this was not a sad kid. This is a young man who lost his life and the truth of the matter is that he was so ready to live, so it was a complete shock to all of us to find out he had passed."
Wolf was extremely outraged that Odell, who was ruled clean before his death, is being speculated to have been a suicidal person soon after it was revealed that he had a history of drug abuse. "There was no part of Jackson that was suicidal and Jackson should not be lumped in with anyone that is suicidal, or that was looking for a way out," he said.
He added, “Whatever his past was, I can tell you I have known Jackson for six years, through whatever, and there was never a moment in time when this kid did not love life. He was ready to live, to share his gift, to spread love, be loved and enjoy life."
On Tuesday, before his death, Odell had appeared on the podcast 'Controlled Chaos,' along with Wolf, and revealed that he had just written a song for Shawn Mendes and even performed a number titled 'Something Good.'
Wolf later told the publication, “Jackson loved being around his friends and family and playing his music and laughing and smiling. No matter what was happening in his life, those things never changed."
He added, “It is a shame that as a young man who celebrated life so intensely, that whatever he may or may not done at some point in time, is what people are now focusing on.”
Wolf, whose wife Bethany Wolf directed 'Forever My Girl', one of the movies which starred Odell, said during his conversation that it was the 20-year-old's name mentioned alongside those of recent suicide victims celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade in an article which made him speak up about Odell's mental health.
He revealed, “I read an article that mentioned Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade then Jackson. I was like, 'this is not right, he is not them.' Jackson was really truly all about love. He wanted to give love, receive deep love and his arms were constantly wide open."
He then added, “It makes it that much more difficult to comprehend what has happened. He just had so much to share.”
Although Odell's death has been called a suicide by police authorities, there is an ongoing investigation, which will provide some answers as to the cause of the death.