Actor Michael Rosenbaum, 53, opened up about receiving help for his mental health at a treatment center.
While interviewing actress Emily Deschanel on the October 14 episode of his podcast, Inside of You, Rosenbaum shared that he struggled with his mental health and required professional help. He said that he can “pinpoint like the toughest time in [his] life.”
“I can go, you know, this was a really tough time. And I didn’t know what was happening with my body and the anxiety, what was causing it, which caused depression. And I felt like I don’t even know who I am in a way. And I went to a treatment center for, like, 30 days,” said theactor on his podcast.
Rosenbaum also said his friends incorrectly assumed he went to the treatment center because of alcohol or drugs.
“My friends are like, ‘I didn’t know you were an alcoholic.’ I’m like, ‘I’m not. It’s not about alcohol.’ ‘I didn’t know you were a drug guy.’ No, I don’t do drugs. I smoke a little pot,” said Rosenbaum to Deschanel.
He explained that he “need[ed] to talk to people” during that specific time in his life.
“I need to be away for a while,” recalled Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor on the first seven season of the hit show, Smallville.
Michael Rosenbaum Has Been Open About His Mental Health
This isn’t the first time Rosenbaum has been open about his mental health. For instance, in a February 2021 interview with Polar Lights Awareness, Rosenbaum said he “suffered from anxiety [his] whole life.” He also said that he didn’t know his level of anxiety was unusual.
“I thought it was just part of me. ‘Why am I so anxious?’ And, you know, ‘why do I have to work so hard?’ And ‘why do I stress so much?’ I thought that was just what everybody goes through,” said Rosenbaum in the interview.
He said that he eventually began talking about his issues.
“I was able to deal with them and understand them. I think that’s what it takes is an understanding and awareness,” said Rosenbaum.
He also said he believes that it’s beneficial for the population at large to de-stigmatize mental health.
“The more we all talk about it, the more it will become more part of the norm and part of society. And I think that that’s important,” said Rosenbaum in his interview with Polar Lights Awareness.
In addition, Rosenbaum, who appeared on Smallville from 2001 to 2008, said he experienced a severe anxiety attack while filming the show. He recalled feeling like he was “going to have a heart attack” while in his apartment. According to Rosenbaum, he was so convinced he was going to die, he wrote a letter to his family to let them know he loved them.
“I didn’t know that I was having an anxiety attack. And then I finally fell asleep. And I woke up the next day and I was okay. But it was still there,” said Rosenbaum.
He then said he began seeing a therapist after that experience. While in therapy, he has discussed his “problem with perfectionism” and a desire for others to like him, which he believes “stemmed from childhood.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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