Talk show host is considering runs for Senate, White House.
TheWrap Investigates: 11 Players Have Committed Suicide
Part One: A boxer, an attorney, a single dad -- all have taken their own lives in the wake of being on reality shows.
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TheWrap hosted a Q&A with "District 9" director/co-writer Neill Blomkamp, co-writer Terri Tatchell and actor Jason Cope at the Arclight Sherman Oaks. Read more.
Photographs by Jonathan Alcorn.
When Williams became aware of her sister’s hurtful remarks, family members claim, “Kelli went all to pieces” and took a fatal overdose of pills and alcohol in May.
Williams, who now is raising her sister’s two children, is suing ABC and production company, Endemol Productions, for breach of contract, willful infliction of emotional distress and negligence. ABC referred questions about McGee to Endemol, which did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
5. MELANIE BELL
“Vegas Elvis,” unsold pilot
March 25, 2005
Bell, not a contestant but a producer of the show, jumped from the Stratosphere Hotel after a day of filming. Her family says she was suffering severe depression stemming from her battle with anorexia. A news release for the fledgling show actually promoted the fact that “Vegas Elvis” was “the second reality program in less than two months to suffer a cast member suicide,” apparently referring to the death of boxer Turpin. It claimed that Bell's death was, basically, a more exciting suicide than Turpin's.
6. DANNY BONADUCE
“Breaking Bonaduce,” VH-1
September 2005
The former “Partridge Family” child actor tried to kill himself with vodka and Vicodin after his wife asked for a divorce while the couple was filming their reality series -- and just prior to the Sept. 12, 2005, airing of the first episode. The programs shows Bonaduce swilling an entire bottle of vodka and screaming at a producer, "I'll cripple him for life." VH-1 producers claim they wanted to stop filming after the off-camera suicide attempt but his wife Gretchen "really begged us to keep filming." Gretchen says she allowed the filming because "I wanted to use every leverage I had to get him help. Danny loves to be on TV." A spokesman for VH-1 did not return calls seeking comment.
7. JAMES SCOTT TERRILL
“Supernanny,” ABC
July 4, 2008
The Georgetown, Kentucky, single father died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds after appearing on the series that purports to help parents deal with out-of-control young children. Terill, 37, struggling with financial and parenting issues, called the police while at the cemetery where his father was buried, threatening to shoot himself. The police stayed with him on the phone for an hour but were unable to stop him. A spokesperson for ABC did not return our calls seeking comment.
It's the same problem in other countries, as well. TheWrap was unable to get comments from spokesmen in other countries:
8. SIMON FOSTER
England
“Wife Swap”
April 15, 2008
Foster lost his wife Jane, his house and his job after appearing on “Wife Swap.” Finally, he was found dead in a tiny room in Brighton, after consuming excessive quantities of methadone and alcohol.
Comments
April Says
Seriously, CJ? You see an article on reality shows and suicides and that leads you into a rant about politicians? With a leap of logic like that, you should consider a radio talk show. You'd be perfect for it.
C H BERNTSEN Says
THIS IS WHAT ARE COUNTRY HAS BECOME SIIICK ISN`T IT. LOOK AT ALL THE CRAP WE SEE JUST FROM ARE POLITICAL PEOPLE . WE HAVE OBAMA WHO IS JUST GOING TO SELL US ALL DOWN THE DRAIN. IT`S POSABLE HE IS THE ANTI CHRIST. COME ON PEOPLE LETS GET THIS RIGHT WHO IS REALY TO BLAME????? HOLLYWOOD AND NO ONE ELSE
B Says
Suicide isn't "entertaining". Shame on you. Look at the photos. These are people like you and me, reality "stars" or not.
bobby zamora Says
lol, that article was a good laugh. Thanks for that
modelgirl Says
Danny isn't the only one on this list who is still alive. There is a difference between committing suicide and attempting to commit suicide. This article really should have a different title. I also take issue with using the spin that reality TV was the cause of these suicides and suicide attempts.
Having said that this is a simple entertainment article and should be read for entertainment purposes only.
It does say "Covering Hollywood" and they are doing just that. If you're looking for a little more dignity in your entertainment news then perhaps you should get a subscription to Newsweek.
You want to see REAL trash? Watch Entertainment Tonight or The Insider. Those are two shows that treat people like Levi Johnston and Jon Gosselin like they are Brad Pitt and George Clooney.
Goofy Says
Yeah, I agree with the last post... This seems a little wonky to me.
Heliski | Heliskiing | Heli-Ski
Goofy Says
Yeah, I agree with the last post... This seems a little wonky to me.
Heliski | Heliskiing | Heli-Ski
Silly Stuff Says
This article is sensationalist reporting at best...
Yeah, I agree with the last post... This seems a little wonky
Heliski | Heliskiing | Heli-Ski
Statistics Says
Considering how many knuckleheads have taken part in some level of 'reality TV' over the past decade (it must number in the thousands), I wonder if their statistical rate of suicide is any higher than the rest of the population?
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aC Says
I had not heard of your site until this weekend on CNN when one of your reporters was a guest on a show and commenting on the credibility of TMZ. Well after reading this article, surely the pot was calling the kettle black.
As someone else stated, this subject matter is worthy and then you go and tart it up by contradicting the title which stated that the list is of people who committed suicide, yet you blend in suicide attempts. Then you include people who are so tangential to the reality TV show in question that even a term as broad as "players" does not apply. Finally, as stated by others, a number of these people had deep and profound problems that preceded, what was in many cases, their very loose affiliation with the reality TV show.
Again worthy subject matter, too bad you set the cause back with this tabloid-ization of it.
Koyo Says
I'm putting a link in my blog to this article. I heard this mentioned today 7/28. This is the first time I knew about this count, but I have always wondered about this and related violence that happens with these shows.
Koyo
http://dalkoyo.wordpress.com
KNUCKLES Says
if danny b. tried to kill him self, sorry to hear, but oh well! that man has had a life of opprotunities, especially after the partridge family ! bottom line about danny b., is he is a v. immature man, who needs to get his priorities strait!
he is a v. selfish person for trying to kill him self if he has kids !!!
Celeste Says
Yes Danny is very much alive. He went on to host his own reality show on VH1 called "I Know My Kid's A Star" just last year.
karl anglin Says
If it gets ratings the television industry will use it!!
Stacy Harris Says
Not to diminish the report's message but, as of June 24, 2009, Danny Bonaduce is very much alive!
Stacy Harris
Publisher/Executive Editor
Stacy's Music Row Report
http://www.geocities.com/stacy.harris/
Geoff Says
I wonder when society will loose interest in the "reality" show genera and just go for gladiator fights and public torture executions. I think that for each of these poor hopeless souls listed, there are countless millions out there who struggle and suffer. Why not give them a word of encouragement. Better yet, how about engaging in what I call "random acts of kindness". Life is precious, and I might add, short.
stephanie Says
Eleven is not a big number at all when you consider the article includes the entire WORLDS production of reality shows. It also included shows that were not even aired, producers and family members of contestants. It is like taking the entire game show contestant list of all time and saying 11 people were killed by drunk drivers (including family members).
The thing I have noticed is the divorce rate of the couples on family following reality shows. I can think of two shows that have not ended in divorce, Rev Run and Gene Simmons but considering Gene Simmons isn't married to Shannon Tweed, divorce won't happen will it? *knock on wood*
bajgdb Says
Excellent article exposing some of the darker sides of reality TV but, perhaps, a critical point was missed.
There is no argument that casting people with mental health issues is unethical but their subsequent on-air displays of inappropriate behavior are the thing of good ratings. Kind of like watching a car wreck - for some, watching a car wreck is mesmerizing.
The critical point that seems to be missing is this: Perhaps the cast members who take their own lives are living in a fantasy world. When their bubbles are burst because they do not win or are kicked off the shows, they are unable to deal with the loss of the fantasies they invented long before they became cast members. There are a lot of people, never appearing on reality shows, living fantasies that, when taken away, cannot deal with their own realities.
Auntie Bellum Says
I got to the party late. I can't seem to find part two of the article.
Can anyone point me to part two? I can't seem to find it.
CT Says
I'm glad someone is finally addressing the abuses of the producers of reality shows. My son is a survivor of one show. It was a car relay show with a 200K purse for the winner. They caused him to total his own car and then refused to return his car. They still have it with all his valuable personal belongings inside still. It has been 6 months. When he tried to leave the show after the crash, they detained him and he basically had to walk back to the hotel. While he was walking down the dirt road, the host of the show who is a professional wrestler, assaulted him because he was trying to leave the set. Cameras were rolling and a police report was filed by my son. He has a lawyer but I don't know if he will ever get his car or expensive watch and camera back or get anything out of it.
Bart Says
I'd like to comment on this. I was the first winner of the first Big Brother in the world (Holland, 1999).
It's a widely known fact that the production companies fail in their efforts to help contestants get their lives back. If they make any effort at all. Some contestants become so popular or well-known, they can't cross the street and do some grocery shopping without having to hand out autographs and such. For people who have not grown up with the American way of life, it can be a depressing adventure - getting fame and fortune for nothing. I hated it for sure. Sure it helps paying the bills, but it also drives away friends and relatives.
Another thing is this. Some folks just have no idea how their character comes across to others. The biggest racist might think himself god's gift to mankind. Once he's confronted with his hypocritic behaviour, he'll claim he was misrepresented.
You see, it's kind of hard to act in a realityshow and not get slammed down for it. That's what viewers do, they comment on what they see. So if you're a fat puppy, people will notice. Make raceist remarks, and you'll get it back. Lazy, stupid, black, slant-eyed, Down-syndromed. It's in the eye of the beholder, although the beholder is happily hitting away at anyone and everything that runs across the tv.
You need to develop a tough skin a be ready to learn from your mistakes. Otherwise, you might end up in a depression or worse.
Last thing I want to share: The companies don't care whether you commit suicide or kill all your relatives or move to Zimbabwe. As long as you don't try and find a porn-career, because that's not very ethical, is it now. Knowingly companies such as Endemol have entered contestants with recorded mental problems, hoping they would explode on national television. Sometimes this actually happens. Fortunately not to me, although I've had my share of misery.
I think for every victim of reality show, there are three 'guilty' parties.
Production companies, because they do not care about the people but only the ratings.
Viewers, because they only point out faults in other people's characters and not learn from their own biases.
Contestants. Most of them don't know Simple Rule No. 1: be careful of what you say. Everything can and WILL be used against you. By everybody, until the end of time. So be careful.
Other than that, I have no comment. Thanks for the article, I didn't know there were so many already. Although the guy from Sweden, in 1997, had more going on in his personal life then just the Survivor show.
Management Mom Says
This proves that the producers of these shows know how to pick them. Their ideal cast members are shallow, self-centered people. Period. These are the types that usually commit suicide, as it is a highly selfish act, by people who think it's all about "meeeeee". Any psychologist will tell you that this is true.
If the people on these shows were not this way, they wouldn't be considered entertainment. They make the watchers of the show feel better about themselves. Sort of like watching Jerry Springer....
Stop watching the shows and they won't have ratings.
Ann Says
I miss the days of dramas and comedies. God bless them all.
Summer Says
Wow, I had no Idea that so many people were taking their lives after doing these shows. It just goes to show you how much people some need to be needed, liked, loved by others. This business of judging everything and everyone harshly has to stop. Skinny, fat, short, tall... you get it. It hurts. Esp. when it's on the front page of a magazine or paper everyday - true or not. Maybe we should think before we open our mouths, AND be responsible for what comes out.
Great Job, Tina, Lucas and Frank!!
Summer
Connie Says
This was my first time reading your work. I must say it was very eye opening for me as an absolute avid reality tv show viewer. Thank you for giving us real information that we otherwise would probably never find out about. What I really appreciated was that you did not bash these progrems but simply provided information that we have a right to know. Obviously we all wonder about these kinds of issues but the shows always glamorize everything. Of course this is just my opinion but I thank you for the well written article.
I look forward to future articles.
Connie
Mia Says
Regarding these "reality" show, I've always felt that just because we CAN do some things doesn't mean we SHOULD.
And I always hit the remote when I find myself gazing too long at one of these shows....
GRH Says
Ha! So have all you naysayers read part 2? You applaud The Wrap for their intelligence, yet you weren't even smart enough to wait for part two of the article!
So now you've all been proven wrong for jumping to all kinds of erroneous conclusions. The Wrap continues to be smart reporting on a moronic industry.
Now I understand why whenever I watch these shows I always say, "How can these people do this?" The fact is, they can't. Not successfully. Not even a strong, healthy personality. Obviously.
I don't see how you people can be knocking The Wrap for doing this piece. If there were this many suicides connected to the National Spelling Bee, there would be an act of congress to put a stop to it.
Remsen, Rachel was found dead in her bed with a gunshot wound to the head and the gun next to her. It was ruled a suicide. It was incredibly hard on the family. I was only a fan, but even I will always miss her.
The Wrap has done a fine job with this article and a public service as far as I'm concerned.
rmensen Says
What about Rachel Brown, a contestant on Hell's Kitchen? She died in 2007. I never heard the cause of death but suicide was suspected.
loyal reader Says
What a missed opportunity. I love your site but this article surprises me, given how smart you guys usually are. I agree that these shows are destructive and immoral, but you undercut your own credibility when you try to pretend that these breakdowns aren't limited to people who are already suffering and unstable. You write that "many" of these people had pre-existing psychological problems, but that even winners end up traumatized, as if winning somehow made a difference. Excuse me, but you can tell by your own little thumbnails that every one the people on your list was obviously very troubled from the get-go (bipolar, recent suicide of a loved one, bringing poison to the audition, hello?), and that the fact that they signed up for reality shows is clearly just a symptom, not a cause, of their mental illness. Healthy people aren't driven crazy by exploitation, and you do the public a disservice by pretending that these terrible breakdowns could have happened to healthy people. The simple truth here is actually important, and sobering enough to stand on its own, were you to tell it: These shows should be banned, not because they're tasteless but because they exploit and degrade the vulnerable.
Brian Says
Why don't you include those who kill themselves after being assaulted by the tabloid news show and shows like 60 minutes. I'm sure there are a few who have not taken being in any sort of limelight much less a reality show that they signed on to.
Astonished but not surprised Says
Congratulations on achieving the impossible. You've lowered the dignity level of the Internet with this smarmy tripe.
Eric M Says
Unfortunately Danny had only attempted and did not succeed. The psyche testing is a very important thing though it might just save some lives. Micheal S has to be a reality show producer or something of that ilk. Sudden fame does cause a lot of stress in people and some people just can't handle it nor can they handle the rigors of what some reality shows put them through. Most of these cases do seem to have that direct link between participation in reality tv and the suicides or attempts. Except I think the father in Kentucky probably would have ended his life anyway as he was in dire circumstances before the show.
Jennifer Kelly Says
This is compelling stuff.
While I won't purport to hate reality shows (I write about them for this very site), it's clear that some people just can't handle the limelight. Or is it that they cast these "types" of people for good television, regardless of their emotional issues?
You can't blame the public for devouring these shows when quality stuff like "Pushing Daisies" and "Arrested Development" aren't given a fair shake.
I'll keep watching 'til they pull the plug! (And hopefully they'll pull the plug before we have a reality show about people pulling the plug, so to speak.)
Thanks, David!
fessy Says
I hate reality TV. I never watch shows I hate or disagree with. I don't want to give them any rating.
I like the article though, I glad they are bringing it into the light. Cause people need to realize that they shouldn't watch this crap!
We need good Television programming please!!!!!!!
TL Says
Sounds to me like Michael S. is a reality show producer! LOL!
I for one can't wait for part 2!
I agree with Squeaky, it's a biting commentary on the genre!
Jo Says
I think reality shows stink! They wreak havoc with peoples real lives.If people stop watching them,maybe they will be taken off the air.
MaxM Says
This site is getting lousy. Who cares about the Hollywood crappola ?
Jimmy Says
You missed a couple of prominent examples from the Discovery channel.
There were two shows - one about some Green Valley hotel and resort where a
general manger killed himself. A second about a bunch of guys who made
crazy furniture out of salvaged airplane parts - a member of that cast
killed himself.
Michael S. Says
Calling your perverse reality death article(s) investigative is the worst
kind of misleading garbage. All you are doing is touting the deaths of
these poor people. Stringing them out in a 2 part dance macabre. If you
were offering some insight or hypothesis or conclusion or commentary, at
least then you could thinly veil your ghoulish attempt to up you site
pings. But no, your not even that self conscious. Christ, it's worse than
tabloid journalism, it's grave robbing splendor. ick, I'm done with you
Ester Says
True David.. People need to read...before they pounce!! Said he "TRIED".. did'[t say he died..
I LOVE THE WRAP.. now watch my weekly WRAP and read my blog
smooches,
Ester
Views From A Broad
http://estergoldberg.com
Squeaky Says
Thank you, David. I was just going to point out the same thing.
It's a blistering commentary on a phenomenon that has sickened me since the beginning. Mostly because there's no such thing as good tv anymore. Not even a hope of it. Because reality shows are too cheap and easy to do and the public appetite for them seems endless.
Great article!
David Says
DUh..its didn't say he died... Said he Tried to commit suicide Nick..READ IT..before you knock it! Staying in context with the story...
Nick Gall Says
Huh? I think Danny's still alive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Bonaduce .
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