Darren Criss Describes The Loss Of His Older Brother, Chuck Criss

Darren Criss is mourning the death of his older brother, Chuck Criss.

The “Glee” actor revealed on Wednesday, March 2, his brother had sadly taken his life.

He was just two months shy of celebrating his 37^th birthday.

Darren posted a three-page note about his brother. It was heartwarming, endearing and heartbreaking.

Darren Criss Announces The Death Of His Older Brother

“It breaks my heart beyond measure to say that my beloved brother Charles has left us,” he began. “Obviously this is a colossal shock. His loss leaves behind a debilitating fracture in the lives of his mother, brother, his three small children, and their respective mothers. I have spent what already feels like a small eternity trying to wrap my head around it, something I suspect I’ll be attempting to do for the rest of my life. But in the short amount of time that I’ve had to process everything, I’ve managed to put some words together that may help with some of the

Questions you may have.”

He then took time speak about his fondness for his brother.

“Let me start by saying it was very hard not to be fond of Chuck Criss. Like our dad, there was something so disarming about his mild manner that you couldn’t help but feel affectionate towards him. He also happened to be a total goofball, which made him all the more lovable,” Darren wrote. “Being silly was one of his greatest love languages. While he may have given off the impression he wasn’t particularly outspoken, he would nonetheless, time after time, deliver the most wickedly funny lines that could cut a room in half with his equally impressive timing – which was almost always immediately followed by a bursting, boisterous laugh so infectious, it instantly made whatever was Initially funny even funnier.”

Charles “Chuck” Criss Would’ve Been 37 This Year

The actor went on to recall how they were the best of friends and did everything together growing up.

“We were each other’s culture & comedy brokers. Nostalgia & adolescence witnesses. Video game & basketball buddies. Unwaveringly supportive audience members,” he explained. “He was my favorite playmate, schoolmate, bandmate – and I am so eternally grateful that I got to share the adventure of growing up with an older brother like that. My life is better for it.”

Sadly, Chuck was suffering from a very deep depression.

Darren explained his brother struggled to find stability during an “unfortunate rough patch in his life” over the last several years.

“Despite our very vocal concerns about his well-being, and his protestations that everything was fine, it’s crushing to say now that Chuck clearly had had a severe depression welling up in him for some time, a depression that was only worsened by a lifelong struggle he had with expressing his feelings – a dangerous combination only outmatched by his all-too-incredible ability to conceal it not just from the world at large, but most tragically, from the people who were closest to him,” Darren recalled.

Darren Looks Back Fondly On His Brother

He revealed his brother succumbed to taking his own life last week.

Darren also took this moment to speak out about the importance of paying attention to your mental health and any struggles you may be facing.

“There is simply no sense, nay, compassion or decency, to try to find blame in my direction other than the inner most tragedy of an untreated illness,” he wrote. “Which is why it is paramount for me to remind anyone reading this that may be feeling consumed by any similar kind of darkness – that there is absolutely no shame in feeling shame, and furthermore, nothing wrong whatsoever with seeking help.”

He urged people to seek professional counseling writing, “If you or someone you know is feeling lost or hopeless, seeking professional counseling and support is a wonderful way to. Help you see just how abundantly love is available to you. It is an infinite resource.”

Darren concluded, “He was a good man with a good heart who contributed enormous amounts of laughter, music, and joy to the world. And for the ones who were lucky enough to take part in those wonderful moments, it’s marvelous to know that those memories are plentiful, everlasting, and can never be taken away.”