Tragic Sarah Becker's co-star Dan Renzi shares cryptic post about 'traumatic experience' of filming MTV's The Real World as he mourns actor's 'very sad' death by suicide
One of Sarah Becker's former co-stars has shared a cryptic post about their 'traumatic experience' filming MTV's The Real World' as he mourns her death by suicide.
A family member confirmed Becker, 52, died early last week at her Illinois home after struggling with mental health problems in recent months, TMZ reported.
She appeared on the fifth season of MTV's The Real World in 1996 which she said she applied for as a joke.
Now her former co-star Dan Renzi has posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some 'traumatic experiences' while filming the show.
He said: 'Yes I know about the death of Sarah Becker, one of my roommates in 'The Real World'.
'Sarah and I had not spoken since the end of the show, so I don't know anything about her struggles.
'The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together, and that creates a connection between people, even when they choose to not associate with each other.
'I can only say it's very sad.'
Sarah Becker, pictured in a selfie, died last week at age 52 by suicide, TMZ reported
Becker's co-star Dan Renzi pictured on The Real World in 1996
Her former co-star Dan Renzi has posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some 'traumatic experiences' while filming the show
The cover image for Season 5 of The Real World Miami, which Becker applied to as joke
Prior to her death, Becker reportedly moved to Illinois to take care of her ailing mother and sister.
Her mental health issues were said to be compounded by the responsibility of caring for her family and a skateboarding accident.
Becker initially made a career for herself as a comic book editor before she applied to star in the 22-episode season of The Real World on MTV at the age of 25.
She was one of the oldest members of the cast but described herself as '19-year-old trapped in a 25-year-old body.'
Her official MTV bio also revealed that she graduated from the Indiana University and worked at WildStorm Comics in La Jolla, California.
'A tomboy, Sarah says she doesn't deal well with pettiness and wants to stay true to herself while on the show,' her bio read.
Becker revealed to the Chicago Tribune in 1997 that she didn't like the fame she got from the show, saying she sometimes wore a hood when going out.
Becker is pictured here riding a skateboard. She was an avid skateboarder all throughout her life
The show ran for 33 seasons up to 2016, making it one of the longest running reality shows in history.
Each season was set in a different city, with the narrative following a group young adults from different walks of life that are forced to become roommates for several months.
Becker's season was set in Miami as she roomed with seven other strangers in their early to mid twenties.
Her other co-stars, including Renzi, were Melissa Padrón, Joe Patane, Cynthia Roberts, Flora Alekseyeun, and Mike Lambert.
Alekseyeun posted a tribute to Becker on her Instagram Sunday, calling her former roommate 'the most selfless person I knew.'
'She was always kind and helpful to everyone. I haven't spoken to her in years and never knew she was troubled,' Alekseyeun wrote.
'My prayers go out to her family. RIP my roomate, my friend. May you skate with angels and never feel pain again.'
After the show ended, Becker spoke to the Chicago Tribune about her experience being on TV.
'For me, 'The Real World' was a six-month long vacation,'' she said. 'I knew from the get-go that it couldn't be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.'
'I want my own magazine some day, and I don't think Sarah from 'The Real World' is going to have anything to do with that,' Becker said.
Becker also revealed that she didn't like the fame she got from the show, saying she sometimes wore a hood when going out.
Becker actually applied to be on The Real World as a joke and was shocked when she was accepted.
Despite having reservations initially, she decided to join the cast, adding her experience 'was a blast. And I learned that I'm pretty happy about who I am.'
