An Albuquerque, New Mexico, man has admitted to cutting off his own arm nearly two decades ago so that he could obtain acting work by pretending to be a war veteran, according to KOB4.
Todd Latourette, who says he is bipolar, explained that he cut off his hand with a skill saw while he was off his medications, because “the state of my mind was a psychotic episode.”
Latourette did find work due to his severed limb and claim about being a war veteran. Most recently, he appeared in an episode of AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” according to Fox News.
He has also made appearences in the Hollywood film “The Men Who Stare at Goats” and TV series "Manhattan" and "The Messengers," according to the Daily Mail.
Latourette, who says he is back on his medication, admitted it was difficult for him to live with his deceit.
"I was dishonorable,” he told KOB4. “I'm killing my career by doing this, if anyone thinks this was for personal edification, that's not the case. I'm ousting myself from the New Mexico Film Industry. And gladly so, just to say what I've said."
Latourette said he hopes his story will help those struggling with mental illness understand the importance of taking their medication.
"The power is in your hands to take your medication in the morning, or at night,” he said. “So that, this, this discourse of my life doesn't need to necessarily be yours. Because, it happens quick."
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