Lee Thompson Young’s Family Talks About Actor’s Suicide

Almost a year after actor Lee Thompson Young’s suicide, his family has decided to break their silence. Their sentiments come on the heels of the Rizzoli & Isles memorial episode, which paid respect to the 29-year-old child actor-turned-television star.

What was only assumed from the prescription pills that were found at the actor’s apartment is now confirmed: Young did suffer from bipolar disorder. His family decided to come forward at this point to promote the foundation they decided to start in Thompson’s memory. The foundation was started with the intent of helping others who struggle with mental illness.

According to WFSB, a local South Carolina broadcasting channel, the actor’s mother, Velma Love, opened up about Young’s life as a performer and his struggle with bipolar disorder.

“In his late teenage years, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I noticed some periods of sadness and that stabilized quickly. Some of a person’s inner life, you really don’t know.”

Young’s sister Tamu Lewis detailed the sadness he experienced as a teen.

“He would sometimes call me and say he was feeling a little sad again. It was always a quick recovery and I, too, feel that he was always concerned about us. He was always protective of us.”

Despite his problems, Lee Thompson Young transitioned successfully from Disney’s The Famous Jett Jackson to TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles, where he played Detective Barry Frost.

Unfortunately, Thompson’s life ended prematurely despite being medicated. His mother described what it was like to find out about the actor’s death.

“After we knew that Lee was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, we, of course, were stunned. I guess that’s the question that everyone would ask. And we really don’t know those answers and there’s really no way to know.”

The Lee Thompson Young Foundation was created by the actor’s family to remove the stigma that’s attached to mental illness. Although Young spent a short time living a public life, his older sister explains that his story gives visibility to others living with mental illness.

“It sort of kind of makes it okay. People know that Lee wasn’t the only one. And for them to see everything he accomplished in the 29 years, it’s more than some people accomplish their whole lives. He was able to do that with a mental illness and, yes, it ended tragically but, through that we’re inspired.”

[Image via Bing]