The star of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has spoken out about the devastating influence the role had on his life.
Receiving a major role so early in your acting career may be both a blessing and a curse.
Of course, there is the positive side, which is the widespread public success and security that comes with a significant job.
The difficulty, of course, is that you may be permanently wedded to that role, like it or not, and breaking free from it can be quite tough.
Furthermore, being in the public glare at such a young age can have a significant impact on your well-being.
Charlie Wright was cast as Rodrick in a cinematic adaptation of the book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and he confirmed this in a TikTok video.
Wright auditioned for the role in 2016, shortly after filming Ingrid Goes West alongside Aubrey Plaza.
While obtaining the post was initially a professional boost, Wright admitted it had been challenging for him.
The actor stated this as a result of his role as Rodrick, the elder brother of Greg Heffley, the main character in the 2017 film Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul.
Rodrick frequently acts as an enemy to Greg, playing games on him and being unkind to his younger brother.
Wright revealed that the movie’s casting was not made public until after filming was completed.
He added, “Let’s just say, when the world found out I was playing Rodrick, they weren’t very happy, but it was too late.” “The film was done.
After the film was released, two additional instalments that had been planned were cancelled.
Wright highlighted how the film’s aftermath transformed him into a ‘global meme’.
While the actor claimed that the meme did not disturb him, he has also faced racist insults and death threats because of his Japanese origin.
He stated, “I had a depressed episode for over three years, which kind of damaged my acting career. But I’m still here, and to be honest, I’ve never really enjoyed acting.”
He stated, “To have people say they wished I was dead just for doing my job was kinda crazy…” No one was there to aid or guide me through it.
Wright now says he’s focusing on his YouTube channel, which he enjoys.
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