Michael Fishman Opens up About the Tragic Death of His Adopted Son, Larry
Updated Oct. 29 2020, 2:08 p.m. ET
Michael, Isabelle, and Larry
Roseanne alum Michael Fishman opened up about the sudden loss of his adopted son, Larry, for the first time during an appearance on a recent episode of the Tamron Hall Show.
As the star explained, Larry's sudden death left the whole family devastated. It's understood that Michael opted for adoption when his marriage with Jennifer Briner came to an end. Michael was still in the process of legally adopting Larry and his sister, Camille, when Larry passed away.
Michael Fishman lost his son, Larry, in the summer of 2020.
Larry tragically died from an accidental drug overdose in June 2020.
"I feel like I came to Larry, maybe later than I wish I could. And I think for parents, you know, you wish you had more time [...] You don't always get the time that you want," Michael explained during a recent appearance on the Tamron Hall Show.
"A couple years ago, I probably would have never shared this, to be honest with you [...] The really important part is that you're brave enough to admit when you struggle, and that you need help or that you aren't strong." Michael added.
Michael Fishman started thinking about adoption after meeting Larry and Camille.
It's understood that Michael met Larry and his sister, Camille, after his marriage with Jennifer came to an end.
The couple parted ways sometime around June 2017, but they only opted for legal separation in December 2018, once the media frenzy surrounding Roseanne died down.
They reportedly chose legal separation over divorce to allow Jennifer to stay on Michael's health insurance plan for a while. They handed in the divorce papers a few months later, in April 2019.
Michael realized that he wanted to adopt Larry and Camille after she asked him if she wanted to be her dad. It's understood that Larry was in foster care when Michael first got in touch.
"I, at the end of, I have two biological children from a previous marriage and at the end of that marriage, I met his older sister Camille, who a friend of mine kind of said 'she needs some support and guidance and mentorship' and we kind of took her into our home and [...] we became this family unit and she came to me and said 'I've never had a dad, would you be my dad,'" Michael explained during an appearance on Tamron Hall Show.
Before adopting Larry and Camille, Michael wanted to make sure that his children were on board with the plan as well — and that the kids knew what they were signing up for. Fortunately, his proposal was met with resounding approval.
"I had to talk to my two kids, my son Aaron, and my daughter and see that that was okay with them and make sure they understood, and then I had to have the conversation with Camille, you know, 'do you understand what that means' and 'I'm going to have high expectations for you,' and it means family rules and me being there and sometimes I'm going to say things that you don't like," Michael explained on Tamron Hall Show.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
