Alec Baldwin Contemplated Suicide Following Leaked Voicemail to Daughter
The leaked voicemail message — in which a foul-mouthed Alec Baldwin called his then-11-year-old daughter a "rude little pig" and said she needed to have her "ass straightened out" — was shocking to everyone who heard it. But it left the actor himself contemplating suicide.
The 30 Rock star says that his April 2007 tirade against his daughter, Ireland, was brought on by a six-year bitter custody battle with his ex-wife Kim Basinger, and was never meant to be shared with the public. So when the message surfaced on the Internet, he was distraught — and suicidal.
"[I was] very serious," the actor tells Playboy in their July/August issue. "I spoke to a lot of professionals, who helped me." However, he says he thought better of it, saying: "If I committed suicide, they [Kim's side] would have considered that a victory. Destroying me was their avowed goal."
While the actor made amends with his daughter immediately -- and she happily accompanied him to the SAG Awards earlier this year -- Alec appeared on The View to try to publicly clear his name.
"Whoopi Goldberg is a friend," he tells the mag. "I called her and said, 'Do you think I can get a fair shake?' Because when you talk about family law and parental alienation, there is this unfortunate gender-based dynamic. Could I walk into a show with a strong female audience? Would they understand my point of view? I trusted Whoopi and Barbara Walters. Whoopi is an impeccably decent person, and I am grateful she gave me a forum."
Not one to dwell too heavily on the past, the actor also discusses his plans to retire from showbiz after 30 Rock's sixth season ("I'm done in 2012") and, perhaps, start a new family.
"I have this silly fantasy," says Alec, who has won SAGs, Golden Globes and an Emmy for his role in the NBC show. "I get married again, I have a kid. I'd love another shot at that, with everything I’ve learned. My kid’s like eight, comes home and says, 'Dad, Jimmy’s mom says you were a famous actor on TV and in the movies. Is that true?’ And I go, ' Yes, Johnny, Dad was famous.’ I whip out my scrapbooks and my DVDs and say, ‘Believe it or not, that's your dad.’ And my kid’s like, ‘You used to be on TV and everything? And now you stay home and just clean the house all day while Mom works?’ ‘That’s right, son.’ It’s a dream, that the kid doesn’t know anything about that part of my life. Our normal life is uncontaminated by it."
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READERS COMMENTS:
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I bet Kin doesn't sit around and think of him as much as he thinks she does.
-- Brit
I can't stand this guy. I was so glad when Bush got elected president, because Alec said he would moved out of the US. But he is still here. And Bush got elected twice. When are you going to leave.
-- Madison
If you were suicidal you would not give a shit about whose 'side' of the family law fence you were going to let win.
YOU WOULD DO IT! I'm glad you didnot only for your daughters sake.....OH is she reading about this now????? in an article. That is NARCISSISTIC .Poor Ireland's needs are shelved Narcissistic personality disorder is a condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, extreme self-involvement, and lack of empathy for others. Individuals with this disorder are usually arrogantly self-assured and confident. They expect to be noticed as superior. Many highly successful individuals might be considered narcissistic. -- Anonymous
He is ridiculous & pathetic actually... who would release this story? It is sad and just another way of him getting attention over his daughter and ex wife
-- Shapoopie
Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin - c'mon everybody join me in the chant - Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin
-- Mr Taters
He is a narcissitic, abusive person. Only a narcissist would commit suicide because he hurt another person. Stop blaming Kim - he is an abuser. I believe he is a good actor and a person with a disorder that cannnot be fixed. France would still love to have you.
-- Suzanne Merici
I also remember him publicly avowing that he would move to France if George Bush was elected in 2000. Obviously, he didn't move to France, so once again, the man has no credibility! His daughter can take great comfort in knowing, that as the only child, it will be up to her one day to select the nursing home. i hope that she selects a rat-infested nursing home!
-- Dale
Regardless of what was going on between Kim & him, he should've NEVER under any circumstances talked to his daughter like that! I've been in the same situation and not ONCE did I ever talk to either of my kids that way. Grow up! I am glad, though, that she was able to forgive him and they've put the past where it belongs.
-- Starlina
Who cares that he was suicidal. He's a jerk, he behaved like one to his own daughter and now he comes out wanting everyone's sympathy - I wish he would just go away . . oh, wait, didn't he promise he would if Bush was elected . . . a man of his word, right.
-- df
I think Kim is the @$$hole; sheused her daugher as a pawn in her sick divorce game.
-- Daviss |
