We knew this day would come. At least we thought we knew. The day of Scandal’s season finale, hours before millions were glued to ABC excited to watch Olivia Pope’s presidential antics, news hit the world that one of her gladiators, Harrison Wright (in real life known as actor Columbus Short) had been accused of a warrior-like pursuit to beat down and murder his wife with a threat to commit suicide.
RELATED: Scandal's Season Finale Overshadowed by Columbus Short's Scandalous Life
Friday Columbus Short issued a sad ending statement.
"At this time, I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for three years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short said. "I would like to first thank Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast… Everything must come to an end, and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."
It’s the professional ending that many guessed would happen after the finale wrapped with Short at the end of a gun barrel. Door closed. Commercials rolled. We weren’t sure if this meant he was dead or alive. But this statement confirms what many of us assumed.
It’s a disappointing way to go out for a man that had a key role on one of TV’s most popular shows, but couldn’t keep his personal life under control. Outside of two pending cases of assaulting two different men, Short’s wife filed a restraining order after saying he choked her as she slept, chased her around the bedroom, and threw her on the floor. That was in February.
Earlier this month, she filed another order of restraint, along with divorce papers, saying Short again assaulted her by choking, chased her with a knife as she ran with their child, and then threatened murder suicide.
Short’s wife is filing for custody of their 2-year-old daughter. The case is due back in court May 13. If convicted, Short faces four years in prison.
