Actor Patrick Ball has revealed he paid off his entire student debt within three months of securing a leading role in the HBO Max medical drama 'The Pitt'. The 36-year-old, who plays Dr. Frank Langdon, told Cultured magazine that clearing the $80,000 (£63,000) burden brought him to tears.
Ball described the debt as a "huge burden" that had impacted his personal relationships and long-term outlook. "I thought I was gonna die with it," he stated in the interview published on Tuesday.
A Weight Lifted
In an emotional recounting, Ball explained that his financial insecurity had been a "real problem" in past relationships. "I had just thought that was going to be my life forever, and that is a really heavy thing to live with," the actor said.
He emphasised that achieving a zero balance felt like a definitive victory, regardless of his show's success. "If it doesn't work, they can't take that away from me. I am out of debt. No take-backsies on that," Ball remarked.
The Yale Gamble
This is not the first time Ball has spoken publicly about his student loans. In a February interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that attending Yale University was "a scary gamble".
He had previously dropped out of another college to pursue acting for five years before enrolling. His decision to take on significant debt was met with concern from his parents. "They were worried about me taking on all that debt and wondering why I would do that to myself," Ball recalled.
Broader Context of Student Debt
Ball's experience highlights the pervasive issue of student loan debt, particularly in the United States. The announcement comes as millions of borrowers face changes to repayment plans.
Last month, the US Education Department stated that beginning 1 July, the 7 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will have 90 days to select a new plan and begin payments.