My daughter worked with him on a film in NC about twenty years ago. Said he looked older than his age, that there was a lot of acid beneath all that sugar. He was disappointed by the lack of acclaim, which was partly because his celebrity persona was too much like his characters. But as his portrayal of Lonesome Rhodes shows, the man could act with the best of them. He gave the public what it wanted and became famous and rich, but wanted more.
I believe it. That’s what happens when you are on TV for so many years. You trade recognition and respect for security, so it’s hard to feel sorry for someone after they willingly make that decision.