Christian Slater’s Dad, Michael Hawkins, Sues Son For $20 Million Over Statements About His Mental Health

Christian Slater‘s father, the actor Michael Hawkins, is suing him for $20 million over comments he made in regard to his mental health in an interview last year.

Christian Slater’s Dad Michael Hawkins‘s Lawsuit

Hawkins, whose given name is Thomas Knight Slater, alleges in his suit that Slater has slandered, libeled and defamed him, making it impossible for him to find work in Hollywood, according to The Wrap. Hawkins, whose last film or TV credit is from 1988, is suing his son for $20 million in damages.

The suit is largely referring to Slater’s interview with his Nymphomaniac director Lars Von Triar for an issue of Interview magazine last summer. In the Q&A, Slater talked openly about his father’s ongoing struggle with mental illness.

“He’s a manic-depressive schizophrenic,” Slater told Von Triar.  “He’s always had trouble — he was a fantastic actor and extraordinarily charismatic and very, very good looking, but he had a really difficult time working with directors, collaborating with people.”

Following Hawkins’ lawsuit, sources close to the family have come out to acknowledge that Slater’s account of his father was accurate.

“His father has had his troubles,” an insider told People. “Christian has done what he can for him financially by supporting him for many years, but eventually had to distance himself because of his erratic behavior.”

“It’s been a long and difficult situation,” the insider added. “The lawsuit is baseless.”

Slater, who memorably played J.D. in Heathers, has been experiencing a career resurgence as of late, and won a Golden Globe for his performance on new hit TV series Mr. Robot earlier this year.