Actress Mariel Hemingway escapes family’s dark past through power of faith

Actress Mariel Hemingway has found peace after a dark history in a family that has been plagued by alcoholism, addiction and mental illness.

Seven of her family members have taken their own lives, including her famous grandfather, Ernest, in 1961, and her sister, Margaux Hemingway, the former supermodel, in 1996. Hemingway, who has battled an eating disorder, has written two books, “Out Came the Sun” and “Invisible Girl,” to help shed light on personal struggles facing many people.

“I did suffer tremendously,” the 61-year-old, who is starring in Pure Flix’s new film, “God’s Country Song,” told Fox News. “I had depression probably most of my life. My belief in God has been a cornerstone for me. It has helped me understand the things that I came from. I come from an amazing family, but there was also a lot of addiction, alcoholism, depression and suicides. And very serious mental illnesses that I was deeply afraid of. My belief in God and my belief in prayer and connecting with the God within and your inner voice, that has always been a saving grace for me and a good path for me.”

Margaux, who had been cast in the 1976 film “Lipstick,” suggested that Hemingway play her sibling. Following her appearance, Woody Allen cast her in 1979’s “Manhattan.” As Hemingway’s fame skyrocketed, she faced her own personal struggles but persevered. “We all can make ourselves the best that we can be,” she said

In “God’s Country Song,” she plays the mother of singer Noah Bryan (Justin Gaston), who learns that he’s the father of a 4-year-old he barely remembers. With the help of faith, family and song, Bryan finds his way and later realizes what truly matters in life. Aspects of the storyline hit close to home.

“’God’s Country Song’ is such a wholesome story, but it deals with addiction,” she said. “You know, using alcohol to self-medicate the pain we go through in life or things we can’t deal with. I think the reason why it felt so touching to me is that I do a lot of work for mental health… And any time you can get the message out there, especially through scripted work, it just seems to land really well. There are so many superhero films out there that are wonderful, but I think a more family-oriented story connects with me. And I think it connects with so many others, too. It’s so wonderful and — oh my gosh — the singing is great.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice