In a recent interview, "Better Call Saul" actor Todd LaTourrette spoke honestly about the early days of his acting career.

The actor said he cut off his own arm years ago and lied about being a veteran.

LaTourrette, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, said he was not taking his medication at the time and was in a " psychotic episode" at the time.

The actor said he was motivated to share his story to help others who are living with mental illness.

In a recent interview, Todd LaTourrette, a New Mexico-based actor known for his role in "Better Call Saul," spoke honestly about the early days of his acting career.

Speaking to KOB4, LaTourrette said that he wasn't entirely honest about his background before breaking into the entertainment industry. The actor said he cut off his own arm years ago and lied about being a veteran.

"I have a 6 [inch] pirate hook, which attaches in to my black, carbon fiber, prosthetic arm," his Backstage profile reads. "Other attachments include: a stainless steel claw, wooden hand, and, what I like to refer to as my, 'Terminator hand.' The fingers do open and close...voluntarily."

The actor told INSIDER he cut off his hand on Christmas Eve in 2001. LaTourrette, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, said he was not taking his medication at the time and was in a "psychotic episode."

That, he said, changed the trajectory of his career.

"The film industry obviously took a different angle," LaTourrette said. "That I was different. And so they liked that."

But while on an audition in 2012 and again in 2013, the actor said he lied about his experience serving in the military. This, he told INSIDER, has been "haunting" him ever since because it helped his career.

"I was dishonorable. I'm killing my career by doing this, if anyone thinks this was for personal edification, that's not the case," LaTourrette told KOB 4. "I'm ousting myself from the New Mexico Film Industry. And gladly so, just to say what I've said."

The actor told INSIDER that since coming forward, he has been dropped by his agent. But that doesn't matter to him: he just wants to advocate for mental health.

Read more: There are two types of bipolar disorder — here's how they're different

LaTourrette said he decided to share his story to help others who are living with mental illness.

"I simply wanna help one person that's struggling with mental illness to say, 'I can do things differently,'" he told INSIDER. "And to take that cup of water and to take those pills, if they need. And to be strong. They are my heroes. People that care for themselves that are mentally ill are my heroes. As well as the military men and women. All of them are my heroes." If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the National Institute of Mental Health online at nimh.nih.gov. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-273-8255. UPDATE: November 1, 2018: This post was updated to include an interview with Todd LaTourrette.