Alec Baldwin felt suicidal after fatal 'Rust' shooting, wife Hilaria says
Alec Baldwin's wife, Hilaria Baldwin, has shared insight into how the actor coped with the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after his prop gun discharged a bullet that struck and killed her on set.
"I found these text messages the other day between us the day after (the shooting). And he said he wanted to kill himself," Hilaria told a friend in Sunday's second episode of the couple's new TLC reality show, "The Baldwins."
"He has survivor's guilt," she said in a confessional. "He goes back to that day; he wishes it were him. He would change places in a second." Hilaria added that her 66-year-old husband developed "heart problems" and has been hospitalized "multiple times."
"Halyna lost her life in the most unforeseeable tragedy. This is never something to forget. This is never something to not think of," Hilaria said in another confessional. "This is about honoring a really incredible person for the rest of our lives and to pass on her memory to our children and our children's children."
Alec Baldwin lost job opportunities amid 'Rust' criminal case
The episode documents the Baldwins' emotions leading up to the beginning of his involuntary manslaughter trial last summer, with the "30 Rock" star doing homemade face masks with his 10-year-old daughter Carmen and celebrating his 12th anniversary with Hilaria.
"Opportunities for jobs have been so few and far in between because of the situation," Alec admitted, adding that "a lot of people cut my throat in this business."
"I've accepted the fact that I can't be as picky and finicky as I've always been," he said of his job opportunities.
Halyna Hutchins' family blasts 'The Baldwins' reality show
In a statement issued by attorneys Gloria Allred, John Carpenter, Carlos Hernandez and Alina Vulic on Tuesday, Hutchins' family criticized the Baldwins' new reality show as an attempt to monetize the 2021 tragedy and paint Alec to be a victim.
"Alec Baldwin has compounded the pain of Halyna's parents and sister by taking advantage of his increased fame and notoriety by monetizing it in a TLC reality show, where he takes on the role of victim after he shot and killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust,'" read the statement on behalf of Hutchins' parents Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych and her sister Svetlana Zemko.
The attorneys went on to say Alec Baldwin never apologized to the cinematographer's parents and "has never taken responsibility for Halyna's death." The statement added: "Instead, he entered into a money-making deal with TLC."
The jury in Baldwin's criminal case never handed down a verdict due to the fact that in July the presiding judge abruptly dismissed his involuntary manslaughter charge during court proceedings because prosecutors and law enforcement withheld evidence that might be favorable to the actor's defense.
The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March 2024.
Hutchins' family's statement also posed a rhetorical question: "Is his reality show just a veiled attempt to create sympathy for himself with a future jury pool in our civil case? Is this just a shameless attempt to portray him as the real victim in this case?"
"Halyna’s parents' pain is magnified by the fact that Mr. Baldwin and his reality show treat Halyna's parents as though they are invisible," their attorney's statement continued. "Alec does not acknowledge the need to be accountable to them for killing their daughter and he shamefully ignores the fact that, as a result of his disregard of gun safety protocols on the set of 'Rust,' Halyna will never be in the arms of her family, laughing and smiling again."
Baldwin is still embroiled in a legal battle with Hutchins' family and script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, who filed a civil lawsuit against the actor in June.
What's next for Alec Baldwin?
A Monday court filing, submitted in Hutchins' family's civil lawsuit against Baldwin and producers of "Rust," in New Mexico, reveals their lawyers' intent to depose Baldwin in May.
According to the notice of deposition, the plaintiff's team will interview the actor on-camera at their New York City office on May 9, and the transcript from the recording could be used in the upcoming trial.
"Halyna’s mother needs to hear Mr. Baldwin’s explanation under oath about what led to the death of her daughter," Allred said in her Tuesday statement. "He will be testifying in person in my New York office, and his testimony will be recorded on video.
"He may be disappointed, but this video is not for his reality show. Instead, it is meant to reveal the truth about Alec Baldwin in the pursuit of Justice for Halyna’s mother, father, and sister which they so rightly deserve."
A motion hearing in the case regarding a motion to dismiss one of the claims in the 2024 lawsuit is scheduled for May 29 in Santa Fe District Court.
Hulu releases 'Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna'
In the shadow of this, Hulu is releasing a film titled "Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna." The doc is holding its premiere in Los Angeles on Tuesday and releases on the streamer March 11.
The project includes interviews with those on set and friends, including the project's director, Rachel Mason, and promises to tell "the untold human story of that terrible day and all that followed — from the vantage point of the people at the center of the tragedy."
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can reach the 988 Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or starting an online chat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message at 741741.