Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes was told his father took his own life after learning actor was gay

Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes believes his homosexuality caused his father to take his own life. The 28-year-old came out to his friends and family at the age of 14 but his father William Clayton Haynes is said to have struggled with his son being gay.

In a candid interview with Out magazine, the former Arrow star recalls how he was told by a relative about how his father took his own life. Haynes told the publication: "I'm the last person in the world who would say, 'Oh, my dad – pity me,' but I was told that my dad killed himself because he found out I was gay."

"So, of course, I lost it and was like, 'How could you say something like that?' And no one will ever really know the truth. But my brother and my mum went to pick up my dad's stuff, and the only picture on his fridge was my eighth-grade graduation picture. So I was just like, F**k."

Haynes came out during an interview with Entertainment Weekly in May 2016. The Kansas-native told the magazine: "I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn't ready. I didn't feel like I owed anyone anything. I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they're ready, and I wasn't yet. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said."

The actor now reveals that he felt pressured to keep quiet about his sexuality in order to succeed in Hollywood. Haynes told Out: "I feel really bad that I had to lie for so long, But I was told that was the only way I was going to be successful. When you're young in this industry, people take advantage of you, and they literally tell you that your dreams are going to come true. If you believe that, you'll do anything. And you do believe it, especially if you're from Kansas."

Haynes moved to Los Angeles at the age of 17 with his then-boyfriend to pursue his acting career and has since landed roles in Teen Wolf, Arrow, San Andreas and Scream Queens alongside Emma Roberts, Lea Michele and Jamie Lee Curtis.

In 2011, photos from a shoot featuring Haynes and his ex-boyfriend emerged and threatened to expose his sexuality. Haynes and his team attempted to wipe the photos from the internet, prompting criticism from the LGBT community.

Addressing the controversy, the actor said: "I looked like I was f*****g gay-bashing. Like I hated myself or I hated the gays, which was never the intention at all. I was just young and trying to make it in this town and doing what these people were telling me to do."

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