The Talladega Nights actor Houston Tumlin struggled with mental health prior to his death by suicide and following his service in the United States Army.
According to the late actor’s mother, Michelle Tumlin, her son battled depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, which she blames for his suicide on March 23 at age 28, TMZ reports.
Despite his internal struggles, Tumlin received multiple commendations during his service, including the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Mental health struggles: The mother of Talladega Nights actor Houston Tumlin said her son struggled with depression and PTSD before dying by suicide on Tuesday, TMZ reported
However, it was earning his Air Assault wings that made Tumlin proudest, his mother says.
‘Houston received a different set of wings,’ she told the publication, while also urging anyone dealing with similar mental health issues to seek out help immediately.
‘Houston Lee Tumlin was so much more than a child actor from Talladega Nights,’ she said of her late son.
‘My beautiful boy brought joy to everyone he encountered and made them feel special. Houston fought his battle for years, and we will continue to fight for him.’
The fight continues: ‘My beautiful boy brought joy to everyone he encountered and made them feel special. Houston fought his battle for years, and we will continue to fight for him,’ said Houston’s mother, Michelle Tumlin
Honors: Tumlin will reportedly be honored for his life and his service with a full military funeral
Tumlin will reportedly be honored for his life and his service with a full military funeral.
His family have already been doing their part to honor his memory and spread his story by walking in a suicide prevention march just days after his death in Helena, Alabama.
The event was held to raise awareness of veteran suicide and how to get support for PTSD.
In his memory: His family have already been doing their part to honor his memory and spread his story by walking in a suicide prevention march just days after his death in Helena, Alabama
Tumlin is best known to the public for his hilarious role in the 2006 Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby.
The child actor played the foul-mouthed son of Ferrell’s title character, a thick-skulled NASCAR driver who becomes a sensation on the track.
The Shelby County coroner Lina Evans told TMZ that Tumlin was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot to the head around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Sources told the publication that his girlfriend was in his home at the time of his death, though no suicide note has been found so far.
Laugh riot: Tumlin (L) is best known to the public for his hilarious role in the 2006 Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Talladega Nights, which saw Tumlin holding his own opposite Ferrell and John C. Reilly, was his only acting role on screen, according to IMDb.
The comedy, which was directed by The Big Short’s Adam McKay and co-written by him and Ferrell, became a box office hit with a $163 million gross at the box office.
In addition to Ferrell and Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Amy Adams and Jane Lynch rounded out the main cast.
Following his brief film career, Tumlin joined the Army in 2011, just after graduating from high school.
Following his six years of service, he had been working to repair telegraph lines throughout Alabama.
Brief career: Talladega Nights, which saw Tumlin holding his own opposite Ferrell and John C. Reilly, was his only acting role on screen, according to IMDb
Public works: Following his six years of service, he had been working to repair telegraph lines throughout Alabama
Although Tumlin’s mother attributes his suicide to his mental health issues, his Instagram account didn’t appear to show signs of internal turmoil, and was instead filled with happy photos of his family and his beloved dog, Allie.
According to Facebook, Tumlin only officially began dating his girlfriend, Charity Robertson, earlier this month.
Robertson took to social media to share her sadness at her partner’s suicide on Tuesday night, writing: ‘I’ve never experienced a hurt like this before. I feel numb, I feel defeated, I feel lost. I feel empty.
‘My heart is absolutely shattered. My sweet, sweet baby… Our time together was one of the best experiences of my life.’
She continued: ‘I just still feel like this is a really bad dream that I can’t wake up from.
‘One thing is for sure though, I have the absolute best guardian angel a girl could ever wish for.’
Positive picture: Although Tumlin’s mother attributes his suicide to his mental health issues, his Instagram account didn’t appear to show signs of internal turmoil, and was instead filled with happy photos of his family and his beloved dog, Allie
Sorrow: Tumlin’s girlfriend Charity Robertson took to Facebook to share her sadness at her partner’s suicide
Saying goodbye: Tumlin’s sister, Hayden, took to social media Wednesday morning to pay tribute to her late brother
Tumlin’s sister Hayden shared a tribute to her late brother on Instagram on Wednesday morning.
‘I lost my brother yesterday. This doesn’t feel real or right to be without him. He was so special to us. I will love you forever, bubba,’ she wrote.
As of Sunday, Will Ferrell hasn’t made any public statements about his former costar’s death.
Tumlin appeared to have fond memories of his time on the Talladega Nights set, and he periodically shared throwback photos featuring Ferrell on Instagram.
US READERS: If you or someone you know is struggling, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information and local resources.
UK READERS: For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123.
Glory days: Tumlin is pictured at right on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Talladega Nights in July 2006