Joe Pantoliano confesses that his mental health struggles with clinical depression nearly \u201cdestroyed\u201d his life and wrecked his marriage.<\/p>\n
The \u201cSopranos\u201d star, who suffered with depression for at least 10 years before his diagnosis, said he would self-medicate with his \u201cseven deadly symptoms.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAlcohol, what was available, women, you know, risky behavior, act first and then ask questions second,\u201d he explained, listing a few to Page Six at the off-Broadway opening of \u201cGinger Twinsies\u201d Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
Joe Pantoliano spoke to Page Six at the Off-Broadway opening of \u201cGinger Twinsies.\u201d Page Six<\/p>\n
The actor says he was diagnosed with \u201cclinical depression.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Matrix\u201d star admitted that he was \u201ca mess for a long time,\u201d which he traces back to a dysfunctional childhood with his mother, who also suffered from mental health issues.<\/p>\n
Pantoliano added that he nearly ended up losing his family during his dark days.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife [Nancy Sheppard] and my kids were ready to throw me out,\u201d he said. \u201cThe only people who were happy to see me weren\u2019t people. They were my dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe Sopranos\u201d star confesses that he indulged in \u201crisky behavior\u201d while struggling. Barry Wetcher<\/p>\n
He admits that his wife, Nancy Sheppard, was ready \u201cto throw me out.\u201d Lev Radin\/ZUMA Press Wire) \/ SplashNews.com<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Goonies\u201d star, 73, added he believes his pooches \u201csaved my life because it was the only spark that was left in me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like Tinkerbell and the light was dying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pantoliano, who was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2007 and has since written two books about his mental health issues<\/a>, founded an organization in 2009 called, No Kidding, Me Too!\u201d<\/a> which aims to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.<\/p>\n Pantoliano created a foundation to help remove the stigma around mental health issues. Page Six<\/p>\n \u201cThe Matrix\u201d star opined that \u201cwe\u2019ve succeeded.\u201d Everett Collection<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done such a great job,\u201d he enthused. \u201cOur mission for \u2018No Kidding, Me Too!\u2019 was to make the discussion of mental disease cool and trendy.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019ve succeeded,\u201d he gleefully noted. \u201cYou can\u2019t get them to shut up now!\u201d<\/p>\n