‘Glee’ alum Kevin McHale says he wouldn’t play a character in a wheelchair now after learning about actor Mark McKinney’s horrific accident early in the series.
McHale, who plays Finn on the series, spoke about getting to know McKinney after hearing about the actor’s fall while filming a scene.
“I was watching a few episodes with him where he was walking around or something where it was a normal walking day and he walked away from the set one day and he fell and was able to get up and then he fell again and was able to get up again and we started talking.
“I was getting to know him well enough to know he was a great guy and I’m glad I got to see that side of him and he’s a wonderful guy, a great actor and a terrific guy, just an incredible actor,” McHale told E! Online.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I’m not going to get up to play a guy who can’t sit down and stand up for 12 to 18 hours a day. I’m not going to do that to a guy who plays a guy who is totally in control of his life. I’m not gonna play that to someone.”
McHale said he never saw the actor after the accident and learned his condition was bad enough that he needed a full time wheelchair.
“I just have to tell you, I had been watching him on ‘Glee’ a few times when the accident happened and I was like, ‘Oh, God! This is awful!’” McHale told the magazine. “The first time I ever saw his show, I thought he was OK, but his show was cancelled. I think ‘Glee’ probably saved him from being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
“I just got to know him as a human being and a really good guy and a great actor, and he’s still doing his acting and making it look like he can act and walk, I’m happy for him,” he added.
McHale’s own mother, Jennifer, passed away at the age of 60 due to cancer.
The “Glee” co-creator also opened up about his own battle with depression.
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