Pop Culture

'Better Call Saul' Actor Lied About Being a War Veteran and How He Lost His Hand to Get Roles

Todd Lawson LaTourrette, an actor who most notably appeared on 'Better Call Saul,’ has admitted to lying.

A general view of atmosphere at AMC's 'Better Call Saul' Premiere.
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A general view of atmosphere at AMC's 'A general view of atmosphere at AMC's 'Better Call Saul' Premiere' Premiere during Comic Con 2018 at UA Horton Plaza on July 19, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AMC)
Image via Jesse Grant/Getty for AMC

Everyone knows that it's pretty tough to make it as an actor. While a select few have the pleasure of becoming rich stars, a lot more struggle to ever get their big break. Todd Lawson LaTourrette, who notably appeared on Better Call Saul, told a pretty crummy lie to make sure the latter outcome wasn't the one he experienced.

LaTourrette​​​​​​​ was lying to casting agents about being a military veteran who lost his hand in combat to gain sympathy when auditioning for new roles. In reality, he suffers from bipolar disorder and sliced off his own hand with a saw years ago while he was off of his medication. "The film industry obviously took a different angle. That I was different. And so they liked that," he told Albuquerque, New Mexico news outlet KOB 4.

As previously mentioned, LaTourrette's most notable gig was on AMC's hit Breaking Bad spin-off series, Better Call Saul. He appeared in the episode "Quite a Ride." While the Albuquerque native seemed to feel no remorse in the past about his lie, he has decided to come forward because he says he has been suffering living with this lie for so many years.

His hope in coming forward with the truth about his hand is that it can help others out there suffering from mental illness.

"The power is in your hands to take your medication in the morning, or at night. So that, this, this discourse of my life doesn't need to necessarily be yours. Because, it happens quick... it happens quick."

The actor is also well aware that this confession will cause an immediate end to his on-camera career—an outcome he seems cool with. "I was dishonorable. I'm killing my career by doing this, if anyone thinks this was for personal edification, that's not the case," he said. "I'm ousting myself from the New Mexico Film Industry. And gladly so, just to say what I've said."

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