Michael "Mikey" Berzatto died by suicide before the events of The Bear. His death is the catalyst for everything—Carmy returning to Chicago, the restaurant's transformation, and the family's fractured relationships.
The show reveals Michael's story gradually, painting a picture of a charming, troubled man who couldn't escape his demons.
What The Show Reveals
- Michael ran The Original Beef for years before his death
- He struggled with addiction and mental health issues
- He died by suicide (the exact method is never shown)
- He left the restaurant in significant debt
- He also left a secret for Carmy to find
The Money: Michael hid cash in tomato cans throughout the restaurant—a treasure hunt that becomes a recurring mystery. The money represents both his care for Carmy and his inability to communicate directly.
The Note: "Let it rip" is Michael's message to Carmy, encouraging him to pursue his dreams. It's Michael's way of giving permission from beyond the grave.
Who Michael Was
The Charmer: Everyone loved Michael. He was magnetic, funny, and made people feel seen. His employees still talk about him with love.
The Protector: Michael shielded Carmy from some family dysfunction, encouraging him to pursue cooking and leave Chicago.
The Struggle: Behind the charm, Michael was suffering. Addiction, depression, and the weight of keeping The Beef afloat consumed him.
Jon Bernthal's Performance: Though Michael only appears in flashbacks, Bernthal creates a complete character—someone we understand even though we're meeting him through others' memories.
What "Fishes" Revealed
The Christmas Episode: Season 2's "Fishes" shows a Berzatto family Christmas before Michael's death. It's The Bear's most devastating episode, showing the chaos that shaped both brothers.
Michael in Crisis: We see Michael trying to hold things together while everything falls apart around him. He's the one managing Donna's breakdown, smoothing over conflicts, being everything to everyone.
The Weight: "Fishes" helps us understand why Michael couldn't continue. He was carrying too much—the restaurant, the family, his own pain—with no one to carry him.
Carmy's Absence: During this Christmas, Carmy is away at culinary school. The episode asks whether things would have been different if he'd been there.
Michael's Legacy in the Show
The Ghost: Michael haunts every episode. His photo on the wall, his debt, his recipes, his employees—The Bear is a show about grief as much as cooking.
Carmy's Burden: Carmy isn't just running a restaurant—he's trying to honor his brother, process his guilt, and find meaning in Michael's death.
The Transformation: Turning The Original Beef into The Bear is Carmy's way of doing what Michael couldn't: escape, evolve, break the cycle.
Unanswered Questions: The show leaves some things ambiguous. We don't know everything about Michael's final days or exactly why he chose the moment he did. This reflects how suicide often leaves survivors with questions that have no answers.