He played one of the most mocked characters in film history — and now, almost 20 years later, Ahmed Best admits that the backlash he felt afterportraying Jar Jar Binks in theStar Warsprequelsled him to consider taking his own life.
In an emotional tweeted posted on Tuesday, Best, 44, opened up about one of his darkest days as he shared a photo of himself with his son, revisiting the place where he contemplated suicide.
The actor did not name theStar Warsfilms explicitly, but his first major film role (as Jar Jar inStar Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace) was released 19 years ago, in 1999.
Brian To/FilmMagic, Lucasfilm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
“20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today,” Best tweeted, captioning a picture of himself and his son looking out on a bridge.
“This was the place I almost ended my life,” he continued. “It’s still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival.”
Last July, Best spoke out about how he found his way through the public’s adverse reaction to Jar Jar.
Many had criticized the character for being too cartoony, slammingStar Warscreator George Lucas for inserting him in the story just to sell toys. Sites like JarJarMustDie.com were launched, while fan forums spent years mocking the character.
At the time, Best was just 25. “I had death threats through the internet,” he toldWired. “I had people come to me and say, ‘You destroyed my childhood.’ That’s difficult for a 25-year-old to hear.”
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As tough as it was, Best still remained with the character. He reprised it in a few of the franchise’s animated shows, includingThe Clone Wars. And he’s gone on to produceOn Location with Ahmed Best, a series on starwars.com in which he chats with various cast and crew members.
“There are so many layers to Jar Jar that people did not look at because everyone was ready to be angry,” Best toldWiredwhile looking back on the character. “There is a heart to Jar Jar that people don’t really get.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
source: people.com
