'Talladega Nights' star Houston Tumlin ‘suffered from depression and PTSD’ from 7 years of army service, says dad
'Talladega Nights' actor Houston Tumlin's suicide was a shocking incident that has brought his family and closed ones immense suffering. The latest reports now make even more shocking revelations about the child actor. Houston's father claims that before his suicide he "suffered from depression and PTSD from army service." The 28-year-old died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his Pelham, Alabama, home, on a Tuesday afternoon.
Houston’s father, Craig, described his son as “outgoing” and “loved” by all, but also revealed that he struggled with depression and PTSD after spending seven years in the army.
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Depression and PTSD
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Houston's father discussed his son's mental health. “When he was in Korea, he had depression. He had hurt his leg and chest. They offered him out or to stay in Korea for two more years, but he missed family. When he got home, he couldn’t adjust and he wanted to be in the service again. It's hard to get back in."
“He left the military in December 2019, but he never really left it, his heart was always there. When he got out it took his identity away. He felt like he was a disappointment. He felt like a failure for being out of the service. He just could not see the value in himself.”
Family 'begged' him to seek therapy
The father said the family “begged” their son to seek therapy. "He never would do it. He would talk with his buddies. We tried so hard. His mother prayed every night," Craig said. "He drank and it wasn’t good for him, it wasn’t a good mix. I thought he would hit rock bottom and then come out of it."
But never for one minute did he think his son would take this final step. "I never thought he would commit suicide," he said.
'A great boy and son'
Craig said that Houston was a "great boy and son." Speaking of his youth, Craig said, that Houston was an “all-American boy” who enjoyed playing football in high school. At the same time, he wonders if the concussions he suffered from the sport caused him problems later in life. “He was small, but he was very aggressive like I taught him to be! He would hit people hard and do damage. He had migraines all the time.”
Craig remembers his son as the “nicest” man. He said: “He treated women with respect. He opened doors for every lady in town. He would buy women roses. There will never be another gentleman like him."
Craig explained that as a child, his son was chosen for 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' because of his southern accent and resemblance to actor Will Ferrell. "He was a gorgeous little boy. He auditioned for the movie privately. It fell in his lap with the southern accent. He tried to act a little after, but with the deep southern accent, it would be a specialized part. But he wanted his prom, he wanted to play football, he was an all-American boy. He wasn’t a child actor, he was an average guy. ”
Among the many praises the father sang for him, Craig said that, “There has never been a more protective guy either. If someone picked on someone, the little guy would whip anyone’s butt to help them. He loved his mama. His baby sister. He loved her more than anyone on this planet. He was very outgoing and he loved karaoke. He was also a hell of an athlete."
Finally, he added, “He could not have been a better son. My heart is just dying. There is hole. He couldn’t see the beauty in himself that everyone else saw.”
