Prison Break's Wentworth Miller: depression, autism and Hollywood exit

The world first laid eyes on the enigmatic Michael Scofield on August 29, 2005.

Michael Scofield, the leading man of 'Prison Break,' catapulted Wentworth Miller, the relatively unknown actor who portrayed him, into the global spotlight. The series was revolutionary — a trendsetter for its time.

Follow Showbizz Daily to stay informed and enjoy more content!

Just a quick refresher on the plot of the show: Michael Scofield intentionally lands himself in prison to rescue his brother, Lincoln Burrows, who was wrongly accused of plotting against the U.S. vice president.

The famous body ink? It was more than skin-deep artistry. Instead, Scofield's tattoos were a coded escape plan from prison.

Miller's magnetic appeal was undeniable. Beyond the captivating character of Scofield, Miller's charisma turned heads.

The once semi-obscure actor, known for guest roles in shows like 'ER' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' became an undeniable force on screen. His only on-screen equal? Robert Knepper and his unforgettable portrayal of the repugnant yet riveting Theodore 'T-Bag' Bagwell.

From 2005 to 2009, Miller stole the show. The British-born, American-raised actor outshined a gradually deflating series that nonetheless had viewers hooked.

In 2009, Miller made a hasty exit from the public eye. He laid out his reasons in 2010 in a social media post.

"In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low profile for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I was s u i c i d a l," Miller shared, openly discussing his mental health battles.

Miller admitted to feeling flawed, and ashamed and was again struggling with the depression that had first haunted him as a child. "And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction," he wrote.

Headlines like "from Hunk to Chunk" criticized the actor’s weight gain, which sent him spiraling further. "Eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF… And I put on weight. Big eff-ing deal."

Miller shared the hefty price of his personal battles - wasted time, opportunities, relationships, and countless sleepless nights.

After years away from the public eye, Miller made headlines again in 2013, coming out as gay and explaining his reasons behind the unexpected news.

Citing Russia’s crackdown on the LGBTQ community, Miller wrote a letter explaining that he would not be attending the St Petersburg Film Festival. "As a gay man, I must decline… I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."

Estas declaraciones las haría ya en 2017, una vez grabada la inesperada quinta temporada de cierre de la serie, After wrapping up the unexpected fifth season of 'Prison Break' in 2017, Miller made it clear: no more 'Prison Break,' no more Michael Scofield.

The 2010s saw Miller in the frosty shoes of 'Captain Cold' in The CW's 'The Flash' and 'Legends of Tomorrow,' appearing in 38 episodes from 2014 to 2021.

Miller stepped into the political arena in 2019, portraying Senator Mark Hanson in the underrated 'Madam Secretary.'

Since the pandemic, news of Miller, at least professionally, has been scarce.

In 2021, he again bared his soul on Instagram, sharing a surprising diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder. He had only just received a formal diagnosis and his first informal diagnosis was the year prior.

"This isn't something I'd change … being autistic is central to who I am. To everything I've achieved/articulated," he wrote.

He didn't mince words about the system's shortcomings: "It was a long, flawed process in need of updating. IMO. I'm a middle-aged man. Not a 5-year-old."

Miller revealed the diagnosis didn't shock him, but it was a pivotal moment, prompting him to reassess life after turning 50.

"Meanwhile, I don't want to run the risk of suddenly being a loud, ill-informed voice in the room. The #autistic community (this I do know) has historically been talked over. Spoken for," he continued. "I don't wish to do additional harm. Only to raise my hand, say, 'I am here. Have been (w/o realizing it)."

Outside of his personal life, Miller has decidedly taken a step back from acting. His last TV role was in 2019 and his last relationship to a film was in 2016 as a screenwriter for ‘The Disappointments Room.’

For a time, Miller was TV royalty. But he chose to step away from the limelight, emerging only when it was time to bravely reveal his struggles. To his fans, he remains a king, perhaps even now more than ever.