Why did Owen Wilson try to kill himself? Brother Andrew helped star heal after suicide attempt
Owen Wilson opened up about how his brother Andrew helped him heal after a harrowing suicide attempt in 2007.
The 52-year-old Hollywood actor sat down with Esquire to share his thoughts about life, death and his suicide attempt in a profile titled, 'Owen Wilson Is Doing Great, Thanks.' "Sometimes life seems to be played by Tom Hardy in ‘The Revenant,’ some nightmarish guy trying to kill you, where even if you get the upper hand," the 'Bliss' star explained to the outlet... "he’s still going to be there at the end whispering, ‘This ain’t gonna bring your boy back’ or your dad back or any good times from your past back. Or whatever. And when life’s being played by that guy, you just gotta hang on and wait for it to pass," he added.
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According to Esquire, Andrew Wilson stayed with his brother at his place following the attempt. "After that, rising with him each morning and writing up little schedules for each day so that life seemed at first manageable and then, at some point, a long time later, actually good," Owen Wilson continued.
It's worth noting that the charming star has battled depression since he was young, revealing to the publication how the idea of death "landed with me when I was about eleven." The 'French Dispatch' actor went on to recall a conversation he had with his TV executive father Robert Wilson about the concept of death as a young boy. "I remember exactly where in the house — saying, ‘I worry about dying,’ and seeing my dad turn away and catch himself. And I was surprised to see that reaction. But who knows, maybe that was part of why I said it," he explained. In August 2007, Owen tried to take his own life. At the time, he was found by his other brother, "Legally Blonde" star Luke Wilson, who called 911 and rushed him to the hospital.
On a lighter note, the Esquire piece also noted how the 'Wedding Crashers' star was expelled from private school due to “various incidents of prankery, wisecracking, and charming but irritating insubordination.” He subsequently enrolled in a New Mexico military school recommended by Andrew. “After he’d been expelled from our high school and he went to New Mexico Military Institute, my dad and I went to visit him," brother Luke recalled. "It’s just barren desert and this fortress out there, and to me, it seemed like The Lords of Discipline. But then seeing Owen out there — buzz cut, uniform, his room and his locker, and how they had to walk in straight lines — he embraced all that. The last thing you’d think he would have taken to.”
Owen Wilson also revealed in the interview that he’s feeling very appreciative of life lately. "I’ve been in sort of a lucky place of feeling pretty appreciative of things," he said. "I know everything’s kind of up and down, but when you get on one of these waves, you’ve gotta ride it as long as you can. … Feeling pretty grateful. Well, grateful’s one of those words that get used all the time. Appreciative. Of, you know, stuff."
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you are urged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).