Did Owen Wilson Really Try to Kill Himself on Sunday?

That's what some tabloids are reporting (referring to the headline). And in these sensationalist times, the tabloid quickly crosses over into the mainstream. The apparently very strong rumor is that there were superficial cuts on at least one of Wilson's wrists and a near-emptied bottle of sleeping pills near the bed where he was found by a family member. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. and this morning issued the following statement that all but confirmed what's being reported:

"I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."

If true, this is wrenching and disturbing on a number of levels, of course. But it shouldn't be so terribly surprising. Hollywood stars are hardly immune to suicide and its antecedent, clinical depression, and in fact appear to have a rather alarming predisposition to it. If you are insecure (a virtual synonym for the term "actor"), huge success is not going to tame that beast. In point of fact, it will probably exacerbate it -- that whole idea of feeling unworthy of the adulation. That in itself has been known to destroy many a soul. And Wilson, 38, highly intelligent guy that he clearly is, has no doubt suffered a lot more self-loathing and internal conflict than many.

Not to try to play armchair shrink here. No one but Wilson himself really knows what brought this on. It's just that, again, we shouldn't be so shocked. The good news is that Wilson's episode (attempted suicide or not) didn't result in his death and in fact he's appeared to come through this in relatively fine shape, at least physically. The emotional scars will take quite a bit longer to heal, as they say. But hopefully this will supply -- if you'll pardon another overused cliche' -- the wake-up call the guy needs to get the proper help. It's the whole "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger" thing.

There, I think I've exhausted the available supply of cliche's for the moment.

When it comes to attempted suicide, the way it usually works is you're only found alive if you want to be found alive. It's simple enough to make the permanent solution truly permanent if that's your desire. It tells us that Wilson can make it through this and regain control of his emotional/psychological life. The media should heed his statement and leave him the hell alone while he recovers -- except that, unfortunately, we all know that ain't the way things work in 2007.

ADD: The big speculation being whispered later in the afternoon on Monday is that this was an accidental drug overdose rather than a straight suicide attempt. But if true, why would you cover up drug use with a suicide story? Is one somehow more publicly palatable than the other?

Comments

[The Big Sis]

Having been on the other end of an attempted suicide (my old college boyfriend), I can tell you that the people around him are probably suffering as much as he is as a result of this episode... if it WAS indeed a suicide attempt. My immediate thoughts, when I read this headline, went to Kate Hudson. I don't know if they're still together, but when someone you love tries to kill themselves and you feel as if you may have been at least partly to blame, the guilt and depression can be overwhelming. I hope she's getting some help too.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe the suicide bit for a second. This is all about drugs. What a shame.

[Bade W.]

No sympathy for the guy either way. He has a life many would kill for, and has been blessed with riches beyond the reach of 99.9997% of the world. If he can't find happiness within those golden walls of his, there should be no tears shed. If this was drugs that backfired, an old saying comes to mind - 'If you play with fire you are going to get burned'.

[Noah]

This is upsetting, but i do believe that the media should stay away for a while because it is hard enough for him as it is and media constantly being on his ass about this suicide attempt could lead to another and this time it might actually be real. I really don't think the media could live with that on there hands. Or i will have to kick some ass