Joe Pantoliano reflects on Bound's 30th anniversary and his mental health journey

Actor Joe Pantoliano is marking 30 years since the release of the noir thriller Bound. The film, which also stars Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, and Chris Meloni, continues to surprise him with its lasting popularity. He admits he never expected to be alive or still working in the industry three decades later. Pantoliano, often called 'Joey Pants,' has faced personal struggles alongside his career. He battled addictions to success, sex, and alcohol for years. In 2007, he was diagnosed with clinical depression and later wrote two books about his mental health journey.

To manage his condition, he follows advice from McLean Hospital. Daily walks replace medication for him, with effects equivalent to 90 milligrams of Prozac. He also uses a light-hearted mnemonic for mental well-being: 'masturbation, medication, and meditation.'

In 2009, he founded the charity No Kidding, Me Too! to tackle the stigma around mental health. Reflecting on his past, he recalls working on Bound without realising the Wachowski siblings’ talent at the time. The actor now celebrates the film’s anniversary at the Tribeca Festival. His career and advocacy work show how far he has come. The enduring appeal of Bound and his own resilience highlight a life he once thought unlikely.