Ex-"Two and a Half Men" star's behavior worries friends

ANGUS’ ANXIOUS PALS: According to a longtime buddy of Angus T. Jones, the former “Two and a Half Men” star’s recent behavior and comments have his family and close friends worried about the young actor’s emotional well-being.

“He’s been in this deep funk. I think he’s very depressed and feels kind of lost lately,” said the source. While Jones has said he plans to go to college this fall, “those plans also seem a bit iffy,” added his friend.

The actor, who grew up before our eyes as the “half” in the long-running CBS hit sitcom, was released from his contract as a show regular, at the end of the last season. It was said to be directly related his own wishes. Last November Jones appeared in a YouTube video, joined by Christopher Hudson, a controversial Seventh-Day Adventist preacher — telling viewers to stop watching “Two and a Half Men,” calling it “filth.”

Jones reportedly was paid $300,000 per-episode, and whose annual overall compensation of approximately $6 million made him one of the highest-paid young actors in Hollywood.

Later Jones issued a major apology to the series creator, Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros. Television Group president Peter Roth, however Lorre reportedly was not moved, and remained furious with the 19-year-old actor.

Recently, it’s been announced that Amber Tamblyn will be joining “Two and a Half Men” this coming season in a recurring role that is expected will likely evolve into a permanent spot — basically a replacement for Jones’ character.