Depression is a disease that affects people from every walk of life, and even celebrities are not safe from it. Many stars, despite achieving stardom and immense success, have gone through dark days and mental struggles in private. Their openness on the subject has played a significant role in normalizing conversations about mental health issues. This article shares the stories of 17 actors who have struggled with depression over the course of their careers, proving that only through vulnerability and seeking help can they find healing and resilience.
1. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is an actor famous for his classic comedy roles, but he has openly spoken about his battles with depression. Even though he's a bundle of energy on the big screen, he has experienced deep sadness in his personal life. He credits his healing to spirituality, minimalism, and stepping away from the frenetic pace of Hollywood. In a 2017 interview, he discussed how he began to take care of himself through mindfulness. Jim has always emphasized that while fame can bring success, it is not synonymous with happiness.
2. Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell, known for her bubbly personality and starring roles in The Good Place and Frozen, has addressed mental health awareness issues vocally. She has openly spoken about struggling with anxiety and depression since her late teens. She attributes her progress to good therapy, a supportive family, and the use of antidepressants in managing her mental health challenges. She continues to talk about mental health and emphasizes that true strength lies in the ability to ask for help. Her openness has inspired fans to embrace vulnerability and help end the stigma surrounding mental health.
3. Matthew Perry

Late Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing in the TV series Friends, had faced battles with addiction and depression throughout his acting career. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he recounted his journey of overcoming substance abuse and its connection to depression. He had used this experience to help others by opening a sober living facility. He often used to talk about how depression is not the ultimate answer, even in terms of fame or fortune.
4. Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton, the queen of country music, revealed that she was afflicted with depression in the 1980s. During those years, she faced personal issues and professional strain. At the height of her success, she confessed to feeling totally lost. She escaped these challenges by turning to music and faith. Her songs, especially her hits, often speak of endurance and survival. Dolly has been using her voice to promote acceptance of people's flaws and to encourage finding a little light in dark times.
5. Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow has often appeared confident and serene, but she admitted to experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of her son, Moses, in 2006. In interviews, she expressed that she did not even recognize herself during that time. Paltrow credits lifestyle changes, including therapy, healthy eating, and mindfulness, with helping her recovery. Through her wellness brand, Goop, she emphasizes mental health, advocates for self-care, and combats the stigma surrounding depression in women balancing career and motherhood.
6. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has experienced major mental health issues, including episodes of depression after her mother's death in 2007 and during her highly publicized divorce from Brad Pitt. She described feeling lost and overwhelmed by these experiences. Jolie drew strength from humanitarian work and her role as a mother. In recent years, she has opened up about therapy as one of her coping strategies, and she continues to advocate for mental health awareness, especially in children and war-torn communities.
7. Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway has said that she battled depression and anxiety in her teenage years, triggered by the pressures of young stardom. While she initially didn't want to talk about it publicly, Hathaway has since spoken out about the importance of acknowledging these struggles. In interviews, she speaks about how therapy, meditation, and family support have helped her find balance. The Oscar-winning actress often tells young people to be gentler with themselves and emphasizes that mental health issues do not define one's value.
8. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt has struggled with depression at various times in his life, particularly after his public split from Angelina Jolie in 2016. He recently shared how he relied on art, music, and sober living to heal. Pitt mentioned that therapy and a renewed effort to nurture friendships helped him to rediscover the joy of living. He also addressed the vulnerability men often face, highlighting that it is frequently misjudged as a weakness.
9. Britney Spears

Pop icon Britney Spears has been open about her battle with depression during the conservatorship period which ended in 2021. The immense media attention and personal issues resulted in extreme emotional stress. According to Spears, music, dance, and therapy were key in helping cope. In 2023, she released a memoir to share her mental health journey and discuss how fame took a toll on her emotional well-being.
10. Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson has been vocal about her battle with depression following her divorce from Kenneth Branagh in the 1990s. She described feeling broken and hollow, despite being a successful actress. Thompson credits acting and a sense of humor for helping her through those difficult times. She has also become an advocate for mental health, especially among artists facing industry pressures, and often encourages young actors to prioritize their well-being.
11. Kerry Washington

Scandal star Kerry Washington has been candid about her battles with anxiety and depression. As a child, she felt the pressure to be a "perfect" overachiever, which impacted her mental health. In interviews, she has always emphasized the importance of therapy, mindfulness, and a strong support system. She also addressed breaking generational cycles of silence around mental health in Black communities. Kerry inspires fans to seek help without shame in their journey towards mental wellness.
12. Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones has been open about living with bipolar II disorder, diagnosed over a decade ago. She revealed that coping with depression and mood swings became more difficult with fame and family issues. According to Zeta-Jones, therapy, medication, and open conversations have helped her manage the condition. By speaking out, she has become a beacon of hope for those facing similar challenges. She continues to advocate for mental health awareness through her social media platforms, breaking stigmas and advocating empathy.
13. Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has spoken about her struggle with postpartum depression after the birth of her children. The Legally Blonde actress said that initially she dismissed her feeling as a form of stress, but eventually recognized the need for professional intervention. Witherspoon credits therapy, journaling, and supportive friends for helping her through challenging times. Reese has used her production company, Hello Sunshine, to amplify mental health narratives in film and television, reminding everyone that it's okay not to have everything figured out.
14. Ellen DeGeneres

While Ellen DeGeneres is famous for her humor, equanimity, and smile, she has faced deep bouts of depression, especially after coming out as gay in the late 1990s. Following professional setbacks and public condemnation, she felt isolated and hopeless. DeGeneres credits therapy and self-reflection for helping her overcome those dark periods. She has always emphasized her belief in resilience and authenticity, stating that vulnerability has strengthened both her personal and professional life and inspired others facing similar challenges.
15. Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne has been open about fighting with depression and addiction, which escalated during the early years of her modeling career. In 2022, she withdrew from public life and checked into rehab amid personal turmoil. By 2023, she said she had healed, attributing her recovery to wellness therapy, sobriety, and reconnecting with loved ones. Since then, Cara has become one of the biggest advocates for mental health and self-compassion, using her platform to tell fans to heal without fear and to seek help.
16. Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has faced significant depression during tumultuous times, particularly amid his highly publicized legal battles with Amber Heard. According to Depp, the media frenzy left him emotionally drained and feeling worthless. He finds strength in his children, music, and art during his darkest moments. In 2023, Depp returned with new projects, reminding everyone of the resilience and possibility of rebuilding after adversity. His openness about mental health challenges has sparked important conversations about the emotional toll of public scandals.
17. Chris Evans

Chris Evans, known for his role as Captain America, has admitted to experiencing episodes of anxiety and depression, especially after gaining popularity. According to Evans, the pressures of Hollywood and the fear of failure triggered these mental health challenges. In recent interviews, he has highlighted the importance of therapy, family, and the need to withdraw from the spotlight. Evans often shares how mindfulness practices, such as meditation, have helped him cope with stress.

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