AceShowbiz - Just a few days after his passing, the circumstances surrounding Nicky Katt's death emerged, shedding light on his personal struggles. The actor known for his roles in "Dazed and Confused" and "Boston Public" took his own life by hanging at his Los Angeles home.

In a statement to Deadline, Katt's sister, Elise Ravenscroft, dished on the actor's prolonged fight with mental illness. "He died by suicide after battling with depression -one that he fought bravely but quietly," she revealed.

"This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do. Mental illness is real, it is powerful and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles."

According to law enforcement sources, Katt's body was discovered on April 8 by his landlord. The actor's apartment door was found ajar, and he was found hanging in his bedroom. There was no suicide note left behind, and officials believe he had been deceased for more than a day.

One week prior to his death, Katt's building manager had visited him to remind him about the rent due, adding another layer of tragic detail to the already heartbreaking story. When the landlord returned five days later, it was to find the room eerily quiet and Katt gone.

Following the news of his death, many celebrities took to social media to pay their respects. Robert Rodriguez, who directed Katt in the 2007 film "Planet Terror," shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

"He could always count on" the late actor for "many things," Rodriguez wrote. "He'd come full of inventive and creative ideas that would make his characters pop off the screen and consistently have an audience howling... Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera. A true artist. A friend."

Katt's career began as a child actor with a notable debut in a 1980 episode of "Fantasy Island." He continued to build an impressive repertoire with roles in popular shows like "Monk," and movies such as "A Time to Kill" and "Sin City."

Nicky Katt was married to Annie Morse from 1999 to 2001 and did not have any children.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.