The Bear has grown to be one of the most hyped dramas presented by FX and Hulu. Since premiering in 2022, the series shot to fame through its captivating storyline and mind-boggling plot twists. Additionally, the 23 Emmy nominations this year speak volumes about the show's success.
The series revolves around Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White) - an exemplary chef who returns to his brother Mikey’s run-down restaurant after his demise. Carmy embarks on a journey to completely elevate ‘The Beef’ to ‘The Bear.’ He doesn’t just transform the restaurant but also convinces reluctant staff to upskill as chefs.
Furthermore, he also restores order and finesse at The Beef. Carmy and the rest of the crew have been tirelessly working towards bringing his vision of The Bear alive. Carmy wants to do justice to his late brother’s legacy. So who was his brother Mikey and what happened to him? Keep reading to find out!
What happened to Mikey in The Bear?
Jon Bernthal played the role of Michael Berzatto aka. ‘Mikey’ in The Bear. Mikey's death becomes the reason for Carmy to leave behind the life of a Michelin-star chef. In Season 1, episode 1 of the show, it’s revealed that Mikey’s death was a suicide.
He was known to be a brother not just to his siblings Carmy and Sugar, but also to the neighborhood. His death had rocked everyone including his colleagues at The Beef. Mikey was a great person but had skeletons in his closet that Carmy began to uncover after he was gone.
Not only was Mikey’s restaurant hanging on by a thread, but he also owed Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) about $300,000! News of his brother’s debt left Carmy in even deeper turmoil. In several flashbacks across the seasons, Mikey’s past began to unravel including the day he took his life at the State Street Bridge in Chicago.
Did Mikey kill himself in The Bear?
Yes, Mikey did kill himself in The Bear as revealed in Season 1 of the show. He shot himself while standing atop the State Street Bridge in Chicago. Although his death is a subject that’s often brought up, the events or thoughts that drove him to suicide have not yet been revealed.
Reasons for his death have been teased throughout Seasons 1 and 2 in the scenes with flashbacks. A primary reason could be stress and pressure from the piling debt and the pressure of owning and managing a restaurant.
His death, while grotesque, gave Carmy the boost he needed to endure and overcome a plethora of hardships, both personal and professional. Additionally, it’s Mikey’s death that motivated Carmy to transform his fast-food joint into a fine-dining restaurant known as ‘The Bear.’
Who played Mikey in The Bear?
Joe Bernthal played Mikey in The Bear for Season 1 and reprised his role in Seasons 2 and 3 of the show. News about whether or not he’d return for a fourth season remains under wraps. Bernthal is an esteemed actor in the entertainment industry and has appeared in a plethora of shows and movies.
His most prominent role came in The Punisher which aired between 2017-2019. His other projects include The Walking Dead, How I Met Your Mother and The Class. Bernthal has also appeared in several A-list movies including Baby Driver, Ford v Ferrari, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Me and Earl and The Dying Girl.
Catch Joe Bernthal as 'Mikey' in Seasons 1-3 on The Bear, airing on Hulu and Disney Plus.
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