Alec Baldwin Says Tragic 'Rust' Shooting Took '10 Years Off' His Life And Left Him With Health Struggles

Alec Baldwin has revealed the severe toll the 2021 "Rust" shooting has taken on his health, family, and career, describing years of emotional, physical, and financial strain.

Speaking on "Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction," the actor shared struggles with exhaustion, depression, and suicidal thoughts, while emphasizing his focus on protecting his seven children and wife.

The involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin was dismissed in July 2024 after prosecutors withheld key evidence.

Alec Baldwin Speaks On 'Rust' Tragedy: 'What It's Done To My Health'

Baldwin has opened up about the deep toll the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of "Rust" has taken on his life, saying the aftermath has severely damaged his health and shaken every part of his world.

Speaking on Friday's episode of the podcast "Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction," the 67-year-old actor reflected on the years following the tragic incident that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.

"What it's done to my health," he said. "I mean, if I told you what my health conditions have been since October 21st of 2021 - it's taken at least 10 years off my life."

According to Baldwin, the impact extended far beyond physical health. He described the ordeal as something that drained him emotionally, professionally, and financially, adding that it deeply affected his marriage, friendships, career, and overall sense of stability.

The Actor Speaks About His Emotional Struggles And Family Impact Following 'Rust' Legal Battles

Although prosecutors dropped the involuntary manslaughter case against him in connection with the shooting last year, Baldwin said the prolonged investigations and legal battles left lasting emotional scars.

The "Cooler" actor emphasized that, throughout the ordeal, his primary concern was shielding his family from the fallout.

"The people I was most concerned about, the people I had the deepest pain for, were my wife and my kids," he said, per the Daily Mail.

Baldwin shares seven children with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin: daughters Carmen, 12, and María Lucía, 4, and Ilaria, 2; and sons Rafael, 10, Leonardo, 9, Romeo, 7, and Eduardo, 5.

He is also the father of Ireland Baldwin from his previous marriage to Kim Basinger.

The actor noted that his children quickly sensed the change in him, recalling moments when he felt completely immobilized by the weight of the situation.

"My kids would see me sitting in a corner. I couldn't even move," he said.

Baldwin also revealed that after prosecutors announced plans to revive the charges, he became so depleted that he needed to take daily naps for nearly a year.

Alec Baldwin Slams Prosecutors, Reveals Suicidal Thoughts After 'Rust' Ordeal

During the interview, Baldwin strongly criticized New Mexico prosecutors, accusing them of pursuing the case for publicity rather than justice.

He expressed gratitude to the judge who ultimately dismissed the charges, calling the prosecution's actions deeply "reprehensible."

"I don't want to dwell on this, I just want to say that this was very painful for my wife and my family, my sisters and brothers, and so forth, my colleagues," he said.

The Oscar-nominated actor also spoke candidly about struggling with suicidal thoughts during the darkest moments of the ordeal.

While he stressed that thinking about ending one's life is very different from acting on it, he admitted there were days when simply facing another morning felt unbearable.

"I remember, I used to lay there in bed and go, 'Oh God, I can't wake up another day and have it be the same. It's the same every day," he recalled.

Baldwin added, "But somehow I found the faith in God to, you know, not kill myself tomorrow. Let's wait one more day."

The Actor's Involuntary Manslaughter Case Was Dismissed After Key Evidence Was Withheld

As reported by The Blast, the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin was officially dismissed with prejudice in July 2024, after a judge determined that prosecutors had withheld key evidence that could have clarified how live ammunition ended up on the "Rust" set.

Baldwin, who a grand jury had indicted in January 2024, was rehearsing a scene when the firearm he was holding discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring Souza.

The actor has consistently maintained that he did not pull the trigger and was unaware that the gun contained live rounds.

The 'Rust' Armorer Was Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter

Baldwin's legal team has since stated that a man named Troy Teske, a friend of Thell Reed, father of convicted "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, provided ammunition to authorities that he believed was relevant to the case.

The prosecutors seemingly hid this evidence, an act that eventually led to Baldwin's legal victory.

Gutierrez-Reed, on the other hand, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading a live round into the gun the actor was handling.