Regina King Speaks On Life After Son’s Suicide

Oscar-winning actress Regina King sat down with GMA’s Robin Roberts to reflect on the passing of her only son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died by suicide in January 2022 at age 26. In King’s first interview since her son’s death, she shared that she is a different person now than she was two years ago.

“Grief is a journey. I understand that grief is love that has no place to go. And that we all handle it differently,” King said on the March 14 episode.

King told Roberts that she respects and understands her son’s choice to end his life as he struggled with depression. But as she continues to cope with Ian’s loss, she does her best to keep his memory alive.

“I know that it’s important to me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is and speak about him in the present, because he is always with me,” she added.

The actress who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the film adaptation of the classic James Baldwin novel “If Beale Street Could Talk,” says she’s dedicating her upcoming project “Shirley” to her late son. The film, which premieres on Netflix on March 22, tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, and her history-making presidential campaign in 1972. King plays Chisholm in the film and stars alongside Lance Reddick, Terrance Howard and her sister, Reina King.

In a touching tribute honoring Ian’s birthday and the anniversary of his passing, King shared the following on Instagram:

“As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence. We are all in different places on the planet…so is Ian. His spirit is the thread that connects us,” she wrote. “My absolute favorite thing about myself is being ….Regina, the mother of Ian the GodKing. Continue to shine bright, my guiding light.”