Clay Adler, a model and television personality best known for his former role on MTV’s Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County, committed suicide while on hanging out with friends last month.
He was 25 years old.
The ex-reality star was likely best known for his leading role on the aforementioned series.
It premiered on August 13, 2007 and concluded on January 2, 2008, serving as a successor to Laguna Beach.
The program chronicled the lives of several teenagers living in Newport Harbor (an affluent community within Orange County) and was structured more like a regular TV show than a documentary.
Adler appeared on both seasons of the show, taking on the “role” of Grant Newman’s close friend and Chrissy Schwartz’s occasional boyfriend.
According to TMZ insiders, Adler and a few pals went shooting in the desert on March 25.
At one point, in the middle of firing off a few rounds, Adler turned the gun on his own head and pulled the trigger.
He died the following day in the hospital from this gunshot wound.
Law enforcement officials tell TMZ that no drugs or alcohol were found in Adler’s system, but the 25-year old had struggled with mental illness in the past.
After Newport Harbor went off the air, Adler tried to break into the world of acting, earning roles in such films as Make It or Break It and The Fish Tank.
Both were released in 2009.
Adler got started in Hollywood around the same time as Jennifer Lawrence.
The two struck up a little friendship about 10 years ago, posing together on the red carpet in a photo that is making the Internet rounds along with this sad news.
Not much else is known about Clay Adler, so we’ll end with his official bio, courtesy of his time as an MTV reality star:
Clay Adler is a junior and although shy with girls, he is regarded as Newport Harbor’s hottest guy. Born and raised in Newport Harbor, Adler takes full advantage of his oceanfront playground.
Whether he’s fishing from his speedboat off Balboa Island or surfing on one of Newport Harbor’s famous breaks, Adler catches girls’ glances wherever he goes.
Adler’s humble attitude belies his looks and he often turns to Grant, his gregarious friend, for a boost of confidence. While it seems Adler could have any girl he wants, his shyness has kept him from having a relationship.
But when Adler develops real feelings for Chrissy — and she responds accordingly — it could be his chance to break out.
May Adler, and all the other celebrities who passed away in 2017, rest in peace.
We send our condolences to their friends, family members and loved ones.