Columbus Short Reveals Drugs Forced “Scandal” Exit
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ABC/Craig Sjodin(NEW YORK) — Columbus Short portrayed Harrison Wright on the hit TV drama Scandal for three seasons before personal problems forced him to exit the show this past April.
During a recent appearance on Access Hollywood Short revealed that drugs were a major factor in his sudden departure.
“I had a lot on my plate,” the 32-year-old actor admitted. “I was using unhealthy ways to kind [to] self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life…I was doing cocaine and drinking a lot, and trying to balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and I just lost myself back then.”
This past Valentine’s Day, Short was charged with misdemeanor spousal battery. His wife, Tanee McCall-Short, later filed for divorce.
A month later, the actor was arrested on another battery charge for allegedly brawling with a fellow patron in a restaurant.
Short tells Access Hollywood Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes and his castmates were aware of his drug problems and even tried to help him, noting, “they protected me and they held me down.”
“They just wanted me to get my stuff together. Sometimes the bottom has to be dropped out for you to really get it,” he adds.
Short blames his drug use on a series of personal struggles. “I was going through a lot, going through a lot in my marriage,” he tells the show. “I had a lot of loss, tragic loss, so it’s tough.”
He continues, “Last year, one of my best friends died, he killed himself, [Friday Night Lights actor] Lee Thompson Young, and that kind of started a spiral. I found out when I was on set, and it really just, it took my legs out from under me.”
Short says he’s been living in Atlanta for the past five months and “it’s just been great. It’s been life-changing.” He says he’s doing much better and hopes to make a return to acting.
“I’m really ready to get back to work,” he declares. “As far as Shonda’s shows, I would love nothing more to go back to Scandal. It’s my family.”
Scandal returns to ABC with new episodes Jan. 29.
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