Actor Columbus Short has finally opened up about the bad behavior , which led to him leaving the ABC hit drama series, Scandal .
In a recent interview, Short admitted that he struggled with drugs and alcohol, in addition to a hectic schedule.
“I was struggling with drugs. I had a lot on my plate, and you know, I was using unhealthy ways to kind of self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life… I was doing cocaine and drinking a lot, and trying to balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and I just lost myself back then.”
Columbus Short was part of the original Scandal cast when the hit show first debuted and continued to play the role of Gladiator Harrison Wright for the first three seasons.
After his arrest back in March for allegedly knocking out a man during a fight that occurred at a restaurant in West Los Angeles, Columbus Short exited the series the following month.
That altercation was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to Columbus’ list of issues.
The 32-year-old actor dealt with a restraining order from his wife (at the time) after she accused him of threatening her life during a fight in their home in Chatsworth, California. Not only did she file for divorce, but Tuere Short also decided to seek sole custody of their daughter.
Columbus Short admitted that his struggles were not kept secret from his Scandal co-stars and Shonda Rhimes, the show’s creator. They even offered to help him. However, Short mentions that hitting rock bottom is what made him realize that he needed to make a change.
“They protected me, and they held me down… They just wanted me to get my stuff together. Sometimes the bottom has to be dropped out for you to really get it. So I moved to Atlanta. I’ve been living there for…five-and-a-half months, and it’s just been great. It’s been life changing.”
Short stated that losing his close friend, Rizzoli & Isles actor Lee Thompson Young , to suicide also played an instrumental role in his downward spiral. Columbus found out about Young’s suicide when he was on the Scandal set and admits that the news took his legs out from under him.
Columbus admits that he is ready to return to his acting career, and he would love to return to Scandal if the opportunity presented itself.
[Image Credit: Porsche Classy]
