Actress Regina King is known for her Academy Award-winning performance in 2018’s If Beale Street Could Talk. King, who was married to Ian Alexander Sr., had a son, Ian Alexander Jr., who sadly passed away in 2022. Now a couple of years later, King has opened up about the reasons behind her son’s death by suicide.
During her appearance on a talk show, King detailed her son’s battle with depression, which was also the primary cause behind legendary actor Robin Williams’ death. At the same time, King also shared her grief over her son’s untimely demise and expressed what his absence felt like. Here is what Regina King said about her late son.
Oscar-Winner Regina King Details Son’s Battle With Depression
This week, actress Regina King, appeared on a segment of Good Morning America, where she spoke about the passing of her son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died from suicide in 2022. At the time of Alexander Jr.’s passing, King had shared a statement asking for privacy during the difficult period.
However, King has now opened up about her son’s demise and revealed his battle with depression, which was also one of the primary reasons for legendary actor Robin Williams‘ death from suicide. In the interview, King stated the following about her son’s depression:
“When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way, and they expect it to look heavy.”
At the same time, King expressed that while it was hard, she spent some time with her son’s choice and recognized and respected his decision.
“To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand that he didn’t want to be here anymore.”
King made the above statement implying that she was yet to fully come to terms with her son’s death. Ian Alexander Jr. was born on January 19, 1996. He was a professional disk jockey and recording artist. Alexander Jr. was King’s only son and died at the age of 26.
Regina King Expresses Grief Over Her Son’s Death
During her appearance on the early morning talk show, King also spoke about how she was dealing with the grief of her son’s untimely and sudden demise almost two years ago. The Watchmen actress stated that she was angry with God over the situation.
“Why would that weight be given to Ian? Of all the things that we have gone through – the therapy, psychiatry, programs – Ian was just like, I’m tired of talking, Mom.”
King made the above statement further highlighting her grief and the difficulty of losing a child. However, King admitted that she was extremely proud to be the mother of Alexander Jr. but continued to struggle with the guilt over his death from suicide.
Ultimately, King compounded her grief by calling it a reminder of her love for her son. Her upcoming film Shirley, based on the life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress, is dedicated to the memory of her late son.
Shirley will receive a limited theatrical release on March 15, 2024, before debuting on Netflix on March 22, 2024.
