Former child actor Jake Lloyd played young Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I. – The Phantom Menace,” where he shared a positive update on his mental health after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
meanwhile interview Lloyd, 35, recently completed an 18-month stay at a mental health facility in Southern California, along with “Star Wars: Timeline” co-author Clayton Sandell and his mother, Lisa Lloyd. We talked about our progress after we finished.
Previously speaking with Sandel for a Scripps News article, Lisa said Lloyd was in treatment after experiencing a “full-blown psychotic episode” in which he turned off his car on a three-lane road in March 2023. He revealed that he had entered.
Sandel said Lloyd is now living at a new rehabilitation center where he continues his treatment but is able to come and go as he pleases. During the conversation, Ms. Lloyd told Ms. Sandel that she was “feeling pretty good.”
“I am now able to accept continued treatment, therapy and medication,” he said. “Everyone has been very supportive.”
Lisa previously told Sandel that in addition to schizophrenia, Lloyd also had a neurological condition known as anosognosia. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is a “neurological disorder in which patients are unaware that they have a neurological or psychiatric disorder.”
Lisa said Lloyd’s symptoms made it hard for her to believe she was sick and made her no longer want to take medication.
During his conversation with Sanel, Lloyd said his medication was “very cushioning.”
“There’s no time for insecurity,” he said.
The former actor continued that “good things” came from the time he spent in treatment.
Lloyd told Sandel that she believed it was necessary to hit “rock bottom” in order to “honestly participate in treatment, honestly take medicine, and live honestly with a diagnosis.”
Lisa previously revealed that Lloyd had struggled with his mental health since high school. She told Sandel she is optimistic about his progress since receiving his diagnosis and starting treatment.
“Jake is actually doing much better than he was before,” she said. “It’s a huge relief for me and for his family. We’re all just thrilled that he’s doing as well as he has been and that he’s working hard at it.” We appreciate that.”
Lloyd gained worldwide fame when George Lucas cast him as Anakin in The Phantom Menace at the age of eight.
Before starring in the Star Wars films, Jake made his acting debut in the 1996 holiday film Jingle All the Way, co-starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Before retiring from acting in 2001, Lloyd’s last on-screen appearance was in the sports drama “Madison,” co-starring Jim Caviezel.
In an interview with Scripps News, Lisa clarified that Lloyd’s appearance in The Phantom Menace as a child did not lead to him stepping away from acting or causing any mental health issues. .
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa said, noting that there was a history of schizophrenia on her father’s side of the family.
She added: “I think it’s genetic, and his psychiatrist agreed that Jake would be schizophrenic.”
Lisa also said that when the Star Wars movie received backlash after its release in 1999, she hid any negative feedback from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was just outside riding his bike and playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she said. “Everyone makes such a fuss about it. And Jake was just a kid when it came out and he didn’t really feel anything like that because I didn’t let him go online.” I didn’t, so that’s pretty annoying to me.”
Lloyd told Sandel that he was a fan of the “Star Wars” series and fondly remembered his time making “The Phantom Menace.”
He said he recently played the classic “Star Wars” video games “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”
“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he told me. “I just beat my first match.
Lloyd said he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” movies or TV shows lately, but added that he plans to get closer to the special day, which will be watched closely by fans of the series around the world.
“My mom and I are looking forward to May 4th,” he said.
Although Lloyd no longer attends “Star Wars” conventions, he said the experience with fans is “instantly healing.”
“At this point, it’s still therapeutic,” he added. “It’s good for people and good for their health. That’s not something I shy away from.”
Lloyd also thanked his fans for their continued support amidst his health issues.
“I really appreciate your time,” he said. “Thank you very much.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
