Actor Wentworth Miller, best known for his roles on "Prison Break," "The Flash" and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," spoke out against fat-shaming in a deeply personal and revealing Facebook post recently.
The 43-year-old TV veteran addressed the subject of a popular fat-shaming Internet meme surrounding his past weight gain and admitted that he battled with suicidal depression as a result.
"Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time. This one, however, stands out from the rest," Miller wrote. "In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I was suicidal.
"I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through."
He continued: And I put on weight. Big f------ deal."
The meme at the center of Miller's emotions was posted on the LAD Bible's Facebook page and showcased side-by-side photos of Miller at two very different stages in his life. The first is a shot of shirtless, slim Miller in a promo shot for FOX's "Prison Break." The other photo is a candid shot of Miller in a red t-shirt with a noticeable weight gain.
Miller said the latter photo was taken in Los Angeles years ago when he was at the "lowest point" of his adult life.
The actor wrote that he was "ashamed and in pain" at the time, though he didn't tell anyone. He revealed that he considered himself "damaged goods" and contemplated taking his own life.
Miller said he is now much healthier, both physically and emotionally, but that when he first saw the meme "it hurt to breathe."
"Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle," he added. "My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without. Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist."
Miller included several links to suicide prevention organizations and depression aide in his lengthy Facebook post. He told fans that it's alright to "Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone if they are struggling."
The officials with the LAD Bible Facebook page apologized to Miller, writing "we want to say we've got this very, very wrong. Mental health is no joke or laughing matter."