OH MY GOSH!! Tragedy in Gregory Sierra's life (Toledo Blade, 1978) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 02-26-2010, 10:47 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...6668%2C1751797

I never knew this until now. How horrible!! In light of what happened to Andrew Koenig, it just reminds us all of how serious an issue suicide is.

Marvo301 · 02-26-2010, 10:54 PM

I'd never heard about this before either. How sad.

catlover79 · 02-26-2010, 10:58 PM

Makes me wonder - maybe low ratings wasn't the only reason the show lasted only 5 episodes. If you check out his filmography between 1978-81, he doesn't have that much listed. It wasn't until he joined the cast of Soap that I think his career set fire again.

Marvo301 · 02-26-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Makes me wonder - maybe low ratings wasn't the only reason the show lasted only 5 episodes. If you check out his filmography between 1978-81, he doesn't have that much listed. It wasn't until he joined the cast of Soap that I think his career set fire again.

I would imagine it would have been very difficult for him to continue to work under those circumstances. So wether it was by choice or not I'm sure the time off at that point in his life was good for him. To give him a chance to heal.

catlover79 · 02-26-2010, 11:09 PM

I don't think I would be able to work under those circumstances - so it's an even greater testimony to his acting ability that he kept going for the rest of A.E.S.' short duration. I've seen the show (some guy taped it off Beta when it was originally on and put it on a DVD for me) - and you'd never be able to tell that there was a dark cloud hanging over him.

It seems he made it "through the rain", as Mariah Carey's song goes. He's still healthy and as we know, recently acted in a play this past fall. My respect for him as an actor and a human being just grew even more!!

catlover79 · 02-26-2010, 11:37 PM

Then again, according to this article from the Milwaukee Sentinal Journal, the show was probably doomed from the start. Check it out:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...6469%2C4305591

catlover79 · 02-27-2010, 12:58 AM

Now that I think about it, 2 of the 5 episodes dealt with the issue of suicide - including the last one. I haven't see the show in some time because I loaned my DVD to a friend who still hasn't given it back yet (

) but it just struck me. Here's the only episode guide to the the show I could find:

http://www.tv.com/a.e.s.-hudson-stre...v_episode;more

Marvo301 · 02-27-2010, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Now that I think about it, 2 of the 5 episodes dealt with the issue of suicide - including the last one. I haven't see the show in some time because I loaned my DVD to a friend who still hasn't given it back yet (

) but it just struck me. Here's the only episode guide to the the show I could find:

http://www.tv.com/a.e.s.-hudson-stre...v_episode;more

Wow, that is amazing that they would do not just one but two eps. that dealt with suicide considering what Gregory was dealing with in his personal life. (And you would think the writing staff would be aware of that too!)

catlover79 · 02-27-2010, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Wow, that is amazing that they would do not just one but two eps. that dealt with suicide considering what Gregory was dealing with in his personal life. (And you would think the writing staff would be aware of that too!)

You'd think so! How Gregory managed to do those episodes, I have no idea. But on the other hand, maybe he was able to channel some of his grief into his acting in those particular episodes.

big bertha · 02-27-2010, 02:46 AM

Speaking as someone who has had to deal with suicide indirectly, it is not fun. My sister's ex boyfriend murdered her and then killed himself. Some days it is so hard. She was my best friend. I cannot imagine the guilt this poor man has suffered. I am glad he gets up and gets on with his life everyday. Sometimes it is very hard. It has been 17 years since my sister was murdered and it hurts like it happened yesterday. God bless Gregory. What a wonderful man. I cannot believe the writers of that show would do such a story line in light of his situation. Some people are so insensitive.

catlover79 · 02-27-2010, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big bertha

Speaking as someone who has had to deal with suicide indirectly, it is not fun. My sister's ex boyfriend murdered her and then killed himself. Some days it is so hard. She was my best friend. I cannot imagine the guilt this poor man has suffered. I am glad he gets up and gets on with his life everyday. Sometimes it is very hard. It has been 17 years since my sister was murdered and it hurts like it happened yesterday. God bless Gregory. What a wonderful man. I cannot believe the writers of that show would do such a story line in light of his situation. Some people are so insensitive.

You are such a sweetie - and so brave. My cousin's wife's sister took her own life at a young age as well and she (my cousin's wife) is doing a lot to raise awareness of depression and suicide. In your case, it's been 17 years and in Gregory's it's over 30 (it happened either in late 1977 or early 1978) but that has to scar someone for a lifetime. I think what happened with Andrew Koenig (Growing Pains) just drives the point home further.

Schmoopie · 02-27-2010, 04:34 AM

Wow, that's horrible! Monika in another thread about Gregory I asked if he was still married and now I wish I hadn't. I can't believe the show would do two episodes about that terrible subject. I hope they were done before this tragedy occured and not after.
As for being able to work afterwards? I was working two jobs at the time that my dad killed himself and out of necessity, I went back to work only three days after. In hindsight, I should have taken at least a week off. I had a ton of leave from my full time job but I went to work anyway. I remember I was working at Blockbuster Video and at an elementary school. I would be working and minding my own business when suddenly I would either have a "memory" of my dad's funeral or it would hit me that he was really dead and it was literally like someone put a knife in my stomach. I'm sorry to be so graphic, but that's exactly what it felt like. I hated that feeling to no end.

catlover79 · 02-27-2010, 04:36 AM

No need to apologize! You didn't know. I don't know if he ever remarried, the most recent article I read about him (from November 2009) didn't mention a current wife or any children.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Andrea. I can't even imagine how awful that must feel.

MickeyMac · 02-27-2010, 03:26 PM

I too had asked if Gregory Seirra was married before I read this, and I wish I hadnt.

catlover79 · 02-27-2010, 04:28 PM

Just sad, sad stories this week about suicide - Andrew Koenig, Marie Osmond's son - I found it creepy that I happened to stumble across this story at the same time. Other celebrity suicides I found especially tragic were those of Donny Hathaway, and Bill Bixby's ex-wife Brenda Benet. In all cases, what a waste.

02-26-2010, 10:47 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	OH MY GOSH!! Tragedy in Gregory Sierra's life (Toledo Blade, 1978) http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...6668%2C1751797 I never knew this until now. How horrible!! In light of what happened to Andrew Koenig, it just reminds us all of how serious an issue suicide is.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-26-2010, 10:54 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I'd never heard about this before either. How sad.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-27-2010, 12:58 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Now that I think about it, 2 of the 5 episodes dealt with the issue of suicide - including the last one. I haven't see the show in some time because I loaned my DVD to a friend who still hasn't given it back yet () but it just struck me. Here's the only episode guide to the the show I could find: http://www.tv.com/a.e.s.-hudson-stre...v_episode;more

02-27-2010, 02:46 AM	#10
big bertha Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2004 Posts: 113	How Horrible Speaking as someone who has had to deal with suicide indirectly, it is not fun. My sister's ex boyfriend murdered her and then killed himself. Some days it is so hard. She was my best friend. I cannot imagine the guilt this poor man has suffered. I am glad he gets up and gets on with his life everyday. Sometimes it is very hard. It has been 17 years since my sister was murdered and it hurts like it happened yesterday. God bless Gregory. What a wonderful man. I cannot believe the writers of that show would do such a story line in light of his situation. Some people are so insensitive.

02-27-2010, 04:34 AM	#12
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Wow, that's horrible! Monika in another thread about Gregory I asked if he was still married and now I wish I hadn't. I can't believe the show would do two episodes about that terrible subject. I hope they were done before this tragedy occured and not after. As for being able to work afterwards? I was working two jobs at the time that my dad killed himself and out of necessity, I went back to work only three days after. In hindsight, I should have taken at least a week off. I had a ton of leave from my full time job but I went to work anyway. I remember I was working at Blockbuster Video and at an elementary school. I would be working and minding my own business when suddenly I would either have a "memory" of my dad's funeral or it would hit me that he was really dead and it was literally like someone put a knife in my stomach. I'm sorry to be so graphic, but that's exactly what it felt like. I hated that feeling to no end.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

02-26-2010, 10:58 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Makes me wonder - maybe low ratings wasn't the only reason the show lasted only 5 episodes. If you check out his filmography between 1978-81, he doesn't have that much listed. It wasn't until he joined the cast of Soap that I think his career set fire again.

02-26-2010, 11:09 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I don't think I would be able to work under those circumstances - so it's an even greater testimony to his acting ability that he kept going for the rest of A.E.S.' short duration. I've seen the show (some guy taped it off Beta when it was originally on and put it on a DVD for me) - and you'd never be able to tell that there was a dark cloud hanging over him. It seems he made it "through the rain", as Mariah Carey's song goes. He's still healthy and as we know, recently acted in a play this past fall. My respect for him as an actor and a human being just grew even more!!

02-26-2010, 11:37 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Then again, according to this article from the Milwaukee Sentinal Journal, the show was probably doomed from the start. Check it out: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...6469%2C4305591

02-27-2010, 04:36 AM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	No need to apologize! You didn't know. I don't know if he ever remarried, the most recent article I read about him (from November 2009) didn't mention a current wife or any children. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Andrea. I can't even imagine how awful that must feel.

02-27-2010, 03:26 PM	#14
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	I too had asked if Gregory Seirra was married before I read this, and I wish I hadnt.

02-27-2010, 04:28 PM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Just sad, sad stories this week about suicide - Andrew Koenig, Marie Osmond's son - I found it creepy that I happened to stumble across this story at the same time. Other celebrity suicides I found especially tragic were those of Donny Hathaway, and Bill Bixby's ex-wife Brenda Benet. In all cases, what a waste.