Author: Shannon Connellan / Source: Mashable
Sometimes people don’t realise that hating on a fictional character can have repercussions, particularly on the real human being playing the part.
Reminding us of this is actor Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars franchise, and who opened up about his experience with intense backlash on Tuesday.
Binks, the friendly Gungan, made his debut in 1999’s Episode 1, The Phantom Menace, with a smaller role in Attack of the Clones, and a brief cameo in Revenge of the Sith.
But although some adored Jar Jar, the character was quickly swept up in wave of audience and media criticism, eventually becoming one of the most railed-on characters in Star Wars history.
Although it might seem offhand to hate on a fictional character from afar, it really took a toll on Best. On Tuesday, the actor took to Twitter to open up about his experience, posting a photo with his young son.
Best writes that he contemplated suicide following “media backlash” he suffered almost 20 years ago — Best first played Binks in 1999.
“20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today,” he wrote. “This was the place I almost ended my life. It’s still hard to…
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