Armie Hammer Breaks Silence On “Hilarious” Cannibalism Accusations: “Do You Know What You Have To Do To Be A Cannibal?”

Armie Hammer is addressing his career downfall, including the “bizarre” and “hilarious” rumors that he’s a cannibal.

The actor was accused of rape and physically abusive behavior in 2021 by a woman known as Effie, who shared screenshots of alleged DMs in which he fantasized about cannibalism. Effie claimed she was in an on-again-off-again relationship with a then-married Hammer for four years. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office ultimately did not charge Hammer following a police investigation into the sexual assault claims.

He also faced no charges in connection to the two other women who came forward with similar accusations.

Hammer appeared on Sunday’s (June 16) episode of the Painful Lessons podcast, where he opened up about the “outlandish” allegations.

“Now, I’m able to sort of look at it with a sense of distance and perspective and be like, ‘That’s hilarious,'” he said. “People called me a cannibal and everyone believed them. They’re like, ‘Yep, that guy ate people.’ You’re just like, ‘What? What are you talking about? Do you know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to eat people. How am I going to be a cannibal?’ It was bizarre.”

The Call Me By Your Name star said he’s now at a place in his life where he’s “grateful for every single bit” of the scandal.

“I’m actually now at a place where I’m really grateful for it, because where I was in my life before all of that stuff happened to me, I didn’t feel good,” he said. “I never felt satisfied I never had enough. I never was in a place where I was happy with myself, where I had self-esteem. I never knew how to give myself love.”

He continued, “I never knew how to give myself self-validation but I had this job where I was able to get it from so many people that I never had to learn how to give it to myself.”

Hammer also discussed having suicidal thoughts amid his “career death.”

“There were a lot of times when I thought I can’t take this anymore,” he admitted. “I was getting hate … so it just went right in … there was a time. I was standing at the shore and I swam out really far and just laying there … a half-assed suicide attempt … But I thought I couldn’t do that to my kids.”

Hammer shares two children with his ex-wife (and Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise star) Elizabeth Chambers, who filed for divorce shortly before the accusations came to light.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.