An Open Letter to All -

My late wife, Mary Kay Bergman was a great actress, as well, 
one of the true greats in voiceover history. Her work ranged 
the gamut, performing in everything from Disney features to 
South Park, where thanks to the latter, her starring roles 
led to this gentle creature getting to live out her life's 
dream of stepping from a limo and walking the "premiere night" 
red carpet of Mann's Chinese theater dressed as a princess - 
unfortunately she was also a victim of mental illness.

Outside she was a "larger-than-life" character, funny, outgoing, 
loving, friendly to a fault, beloved, admired and respected by all, 
and with a talent that will remain unparalleled. Without a doubt, 
she was at the very top of her game. Inside however, she was haunted 
by demons, irrational fears, and unfathomable pain that we may never 
understand - all of which she kept hidden from everyone... her friends, 
her family, and sad to say, even myself. The mere fact that she was 
able to do so was a testament to what a truly great actress she was. 
In the end, these demons overwhelmed her, led to despair and finally 
to her recent suicide. It is clear that Mary Kay's illness made her 
neither a "casualty" of Hollywood, nor of her celebrity - on the 
contrary, her gifts for mastering characters, the success of her 
career, and the love of her fans, is what kept Mary Kay going all 
these years. And yet it is important to recognize that actors are 
artists, whose sensitivity, emotions and self-worth always ride close 
to the surface, working in a business that with all its rewards can 
be insensitive, callous and often outright cruel, all of which can 
take its toll on the soul of an artist. 

Therefore I make this plea: If you are suffering, if you live with 
pain, fear, depression or despair, you must seek help. The first 
step is to speak out, tell someone of your pain. I believe that if 
my wife had told me of the dark place she was in, I could have gotten 
her the help she needed and thus she would be alive today. If this 
plea can reach just one person, and help them to see the light in 
the darkness, then I will know that Mary Kay's death was not a waste, 
but a sacrifice so that another might live.

Dino Andrade

If you wish to honor Mary Kay's memory in a way that will make a 
difference, please make a donation to: 

THE MARY KAY BERGMAN MEMORIAL FUND 
c/o The Suicide Prevention Center 
4760 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City, CA 90230

make checks payable to: Suicide Prevention Center - 
In memory of Mary Kay Bergman

Greater Los Angeles Suicide Prevention 
Center Crisis Line: 310-391-1253