ABC

A New Mexico actor is coming clean in a shocking interview, revealing he's been lying for years about losing his arm while serving in the military — admitting he cut it off himself in order to land acting roles playing an amputee veteran.

Speaking with Albuquerque's KOB4 News, actor Todd Latourette said that he's bipolar, and had gone off his medications when he cut off his own arm and cauterized it.

“I severed my hand with a skill saw,” said Latourette. “The state of my mind was a psychotic episode.”

RELATED: Here’s What Bryan Cranston Told Bob Odenkirk About ‘Better Call Saul’

He then told casting directors that he had lost his arm while serving overseas, which led to him being hired for roles in such projects as ABC drama "Killer Women" and "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul".

“The film industry obviously took a different angle. That I was different,” he added. “And so they liked that.”

He's coming forward, he explained, because he can no longer live with his lie.

“I was dishonourable. I’m killing my career by doing this,” he said. “If anyone thinks this was for personal edification, that’s not the case. I’m ousting myself from the New Mexico Film Industry. And gladly so, just to say what I’ve said.”

RELATED: Bryan Cranston Visits Set Of ‘Better Call Saul’ — But Not To Guest Star In Season 3

He's ultimately hoping that others with mental illness will learn from his mistake. "The power is in your hands to take your medication in the morning, or at night," he added. "So that, this, this discourse of my life doesn't need to necessarily be yours. Because, it happens quick... it happens quick."