EXCLUSIVE: Joe Pantoliano's Painful Battle With Depression Laid Bare — Hollywood Veteran Admits 'Childhood Trauma' Caused Mental Health Problems That Nearly Destroyed His Life
Joe Pantoliano’s painful battle with depression stems from childhood trauma that nearly destroyed his life.
Sept. 3 2025, Published 6:30 a.m. ET
Veteran actor Joe Pantoliano said depression almost destroyed his life, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
"I was a mess for a long time, and it was because of adolescent childhood trauma," the Sopranos alum, 73, said.
But it didn't cause him to lose his sense of humor – he quipped depression is "really a bummer," and that "at least with bipolar, you've got the highs."
Seeking Professional Help
Nancy Sheppard nearly left Joe Pantoliano as his addictions pushed their family to the edge.
Until he sought professional treatment, he "self-medicated, and nearly destroyed" himself, Pantoliano said.
He relied on the "seven deadly symptoms" to deal with his feelings. They included "alcohol, what was available, women – you know, risky behavior, act first and then ask questions second," among others.
He said his addictions almost cost him his family – his wife of 31 years, Nancy Sheppard, and their four children "were ready to throw me out. The only people who were happy to see me weren't people. They were my dogs. My dogs actually saved my life because it was the only spark that was left in me. I was like Tinkerbell and the light was dying."
Dogs saved Pantoliano's life when depression left him clinging to his last spark of hope.
After struggling with mental health issues for at least 10 years, the Last of Us star was finally diagnosed with clinical depression in 2007. He says he began to heal "with the help of a good psychiatrist and a 12-step program. I've been practicing every day – every day. I'm okay."
These days, he self-medicates with "a brisk walk," which he claims is "more powerful than 50 milligrams of Prozac."
Helping Others After His Struggle
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Pantoliano credited a psychiatrist and a 12-step program for helping him heal.
To help others, he's written two books about his mental health journey and founded a nonprofit called No Kidding, Me Too!, which aims to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
"Our mission ... was to make the discussion of mental disease cool and trendy," he said. "And we've succeeded. You can't get them to shut up now."
