I’ve seen people talk about actors and artists that had a terrible time.
My own would be Anne Rice. She wrote Interview with the Vampire after her young daughter died of Leukemia. Then her husband suddenly died of a brain hemorrhage. I suspect her Christian, anti-fanfic phase was a result of mental illness and manipulation from the publishers, although I don’t think she ever apologized.
And as a real gut kick, not long before her daughter’s death, Joan asked her if she had been a good parent. Her daughter said she left something to be desired in that department. I can’t even imagine carrying that around.
every parent does. every parent fucks it up, sprinkles some neuroses in with the dough. it’s ok. it makes us more interesting.