Friend: Jonathan Rhys Meyers Did Not Attempt Suicide

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Jun 30th 2011 09:48AM

'Tudors' star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was rushed to a Central London hospital Tuesday night after reports that he had taken a large quantity of pills in an attempt at suicide, according to The Sun. Now, a friend of the actor is speaking out, saying that Meyers' dangerous condition was due to a relapse rather than a go at taking his own life.

"It was not a suicide attempt," a source close to the actor told Us Weekly. "He did relapse and was hospitalized for that, but was released."

Paramedics arrived at the troubled star's Maida Vale home Tuesday evening to find Meyers "slumped" on the floor. But upon their arrival, the actor refused medical attention, prompting paramedics to call the police.

"Officers were called by London Ambulance Service following reports of a man refusing treatment," Scotland Yard confirmed. "The man was taken to hospital."

Thirty minutes passed before police arrived and the 33-year-old was taken by ambulance to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

"This is very sad," a different source told The Sun following the incident. "It was the opinion of those present that he tried to take his life."

Meyers was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday morning and told The Sun, "No comment" when it came to his condition.

This is not the first substance abuse incident that has left Meyers in a more than precarious state. Meyers has been battling a drinking problem for years and in early June checked into a South African rehab facility -- his fifth go at rehabilitation.

Tags: jonathan rhys meyers

Comments

(90)

Thursday 30 June

By Stacey

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Nooo... It saddens me to see such a talented actor in such a state. Hopefully he will get the help he needs and be able to make peace with whatever struggles he is dealing with.

By sasha

All actors should have to undergo drug testing for all jobs just like us. Then, we will only see the few serious actors who live their lives with integrity and grace. The rest will be unemployed.

By terrapintexan

He should sit on my face. That will turn his frown upside down.

By Sharon

I hope he has family or a great friend who will see that he gets the help he needs. He obviously is in such emotional pain that he can't deal with it. He needs to know that his looks and what he does for a living has nothing to do with his being loved as a person. He is loved no matter what by family, friends and God. Jonathan you need to love and believe in yourself. your family and friends will be deeply and forever in pain if you were to kill yourself. You are loved.

By brisedemer

It's a shame. He's an amazing actor. I mean, this is a kid who came from nowhere & nothing. From what I've read, there is a history of alcohol / substance abuse in his family, so he's battling genetic demons as well. At least JRM keeps returning to rehab and tries to get himself in control. I agree that it would be great if someone like Robert Downey, Jr. would step in. He is a great example of someone who hit rock bottom and then turned his life around.

By Barbara

I too saw Jonathan, in the Tudor's! Loved the Movie, and Him. He is a Handsome, Talented, Young Man, and I hope he does not get so sick, that he will try to hurt himself again. He needs someone to talk to that has been through it,like Robert Downey Jr. Also, he needs a Woman to talk to like a Mother, that will help him, ease his pain, of losing his Mother. Poor Kid, it takes time, you never forget, I can't, My Mom was a Sweet Angel. I Pray for him, and for his recovery, that Jesus will touch him, with his hand, and heal him all over. God Bless You, Jonathan, We Love You! GIGI, and Family!

By Andie

NameNotImportant, you are a disgusting excuse for a human being. How DARE you wish something like that on anyone else, no matter who it is?

By Christie

suicide is a selfish act. with that said, I do believe that there are some mental issues that make it almost impossible to realize that suicide is selfish. Then there are people who know they are wreckless with their lives and in a dark place but just don't care. It's terrible for the people left behind to deal with the aftermath and guilt. I hope this actor is able to get the help he needs but sometimes (sadly) people are just determined to end it. After having cancer, my depression lessened and I look at life differently but I'll admit that IF I had to go through the bone pains I experienced as a side effect to chemo (temporarily) for a really long time, I'd wish for death but thank God, that pain was short term.

By Brian

The people who Pray for these people who have all the money and resourses in the world make me SICK. If you want to pray for somebody, pray for that homless alcoholic and drug addict that has no resources or loved ones.

P.S. People who pray for rich and famous people make me want to PUKE!

By leyland austrian

yea right put the kid under Downeys wing . That would be like the hawk putting his wing around the chicken .

By Liz

If it wasn't a suicide attempt, I hope he can get to the bottom of whatever the problem is. I pray he gets the help he needs to get back on his feet. Jonathan Rhys Myers is an extremely talented actor and very good looking as well. Not that looks matter when your psychological well-being isn't healthy, but in the eyes of the world he has many things going for him including extremely good looks. No one really knows how badly people are hurting on the inside even if they seem to have everything going for them on the outside. I send you good wishes Jonathan, please get better soon.

By jemteku

This is a shame. This man is an excellent actor. I hope he can get his need for alcohol and drugs. I am a big fan, and his being addicted and suffering makes me sad.

Meant to type get the desire for drugs and alcohol under control.

By JACKIE

He's been working steadily since he entered the business, more than fifteen years. Maybe it's time to take some time off, invest in some good hiking boots, go home, and hopefully walk or maybe sing it out. He has decent voice believe it or not. Good luck we're pulling for you.

By jamie

Is this the young man who was Tim Allen's middle son on that old, old tv show?

By Glyndine

I first fell in love with him (like a son) in "August Rush" ... I Am Praying for him to recover from the "sorrows" that make him want to harm himself ... Please God, Send Him The Help He Needs ... IJNA

By diane

golly gee, I'm so relieved! It was only an overdose!

By LIZ

Rich, poor, mental, stable..I'll pray for anyone's wellbeing who can't manage to take care of themselves. Just because they have the money to do as they please does not mean they are of more importance to me. They are still sick, ever sicker because the money gives them the ability to do more damage. I love Jonathan as an actor. He IS talented. He should also be respected as a person...flaws an all. Everyone should.

By Alisha

No.

By catje

Dear Dfdyn - I am very sorry for your loss - mental illnesses are crippling and horrible - I applaud anyone who has the courage to even think about facing the devastation that mental illness can throw at you - keep your spirits up and know that you are not alone.

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