Sophia Michaels
This article contains references to alcohol use.
Fans of legal dramas, especially those with Netflix, are likely familiar with Patrick J. Adams. He portrayed Mike Ross in “Suits,” a character known for his sharp mind and photographic memory who managed to infiltrate one of New York’s leading law firms. Notably, he was also married to Meghan Markle’s character, Rachel Zane, leaving a significant mark in pop culture.
From an outside perspective, Adams seems to have a fulfilling life. His breakthrough role on “Suits” turned him into a fan favorite, and although his subsequent projects didn’t reach the same height, he has directed films, starred alongside his wife, Troian Bellisario, and is a dedicated father to their two daughters. Everything appears to be running smoothly.
However, his journey has been fraught with challenges. Adams has had to contend with serious personal issues, including coping with his parents’ divorce during his teenage years, which introduced him to the complexities of family dynamics. Despite emerging stronger from these trials, his journey has been anything but easy, marked by his struggle with alcohol, which led to a pivotal decision to leave a significant role in his career. Here’s a closer look at Adams’ life, revealing that even the guy who played TV’s sharpest faux lawyer has faced profound hardships.
Patrick J. Adams faced challenges before his breakthrough
Patrick J. Adams understands that not all Hollywood tales are fairy tales. Unlike some stars who find success early on, Adams went through a rough period, almost missing out on a successful career.
He began his acting journey with a role in an independent film even before he completed college, but the production company went under. “I was stuck in Red Deer, Alberta, they wouldn’t even fly us home,” he recalled in an interview. Following that, he found a promising role in a play and thought he was poised for stardom, but soon discovered nothing followed that success.
Adams moved into minor TV roles, which marked a tough transition. He did eventually land a regular role on a TV show, yet that too became a failure. Ironically, losing that job turned out to be fortuitous for him. “Had that show succeeded, I probably would have turned to painkillers and faced unhappiness,” he admitted. He was eventually offered the chance to play Mike Ross, the role that would change his life and career trajectory forever.
Patrick J. Adams revealed his battle with alcohol
Although Patrick J. Adams achieved fame with “Suits” and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his role, his personal life was far from ideal. The actor battled issues that included alcohol dependency — challenges that ultimately compelled him to depart the show after its seventh season alongside co-star Meghan Markle.
During a guest appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Adams explained his exit from the series, which he initially attributed to pursuing other creative avenues. The reality was more somber: “I wasn’t taking good care of my mental health, and I was drinking too much by the end of Season 7,” he acknowledged. He described a period of unhappiness and depression, lacking the necessary tools to confront his feelings beyond spending and drinking excessively. Realizing he was on the show merely for financial reasons led Adams to take a step back and reassess his life.
Patrick J. Adams Acknowledges His Early Parenting Struggles
Patrick J. Adams opened up about how alcohol affected his role as a father during an episode of the “Dinner’s on Me” podcast. He admitted that his drinking habits had a negative impact on his relationship with his daughters, Aurora and Elliot. During this challenging phase, he tried to cope with his insecurities and fears by clinging to outdated habits from his younger years, which ultimately made him a distant parent.
The turning point for Adams came when he realized he was missing too many important moments with his children. Recognizing that he didn’t want to be that kind of father, he decided to quit drinking. Stopping alcohol was pivotal for him, allowing him to improve not only his relationship with his daughters but also his overall life situation. “For me, the best thing I did was stop drinking,” he reflected.
Alcohol’s Impact on Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisario’s Marriage
Patrick J. Adams decided to leave “Suits” in 2018, largely due to the impact of his alcohol use and its strain on his marriage to Troian Bellisario, a star from “Pretty Little Liars.” After almost ten years together, including two years of marriage spent apart due to filming, Adams recognized the need for a shift in priorities. He expressed a desire to take a break to focus on his family and rethink his career.
Reflecting on this period, Adams acknowledged that his drinking problems were not only detrimental to his career but also to his marriage. He noted that overcoming his dependence on alcohol was essential for prioritizing his mental and physical health, as well as nurturing his relationships. Adams left the show, quit drinking, and maintained that he has no regrets about this decision, emphasizing that it was necessary for his marriage.
Patrick J. Adams Faces Reputation Challenges
As a public figure, Patrick J. Adams has encountered several instances of backlash. For example, he faced criticism when he publicly called out a stranger who made an unkind comment about his appearance at a royal wedding. His attempt to teach a lesson backfired, leading him to delete the post and apologize for his actions.
More recently, he landed in a similar situation during the SAG-AFTRA strike when he shared throwback pictures with his former “Suits” co-stars. This move was seen as tone-deaf given the ongoing labor dispute, and Adams quickly issued an apology, acknowledging that he had become sidetracked from the real issues at hand. He expressed gratitude towards those who pointed out his mistake and reflected on the oversight candidly.
