Former child actor Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker in 1999. “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” shared a positive mental health update after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
During interview with “Star Wars: The Timelines” co-writer Clayton Sandell, Lloyd, now 35, and his mother, Lisa Lloyd, discussed his progress after he recently completed an 18-month stay at a mental health facility in Southern California.
While previously speaking with Sandell for a Scripps News article, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered treatment after suffering a “total psychotic breakdown” during which he turned off his car on a three-lane road in March 2023.
According to Sandell, Lloyd is currently living in a new rehabilitation center where he continues to receive treatment but is free to come and go as he pleases. During their conversation, Lloyd told Sandell that he was feeling “pretty good.”
Former “Star Wars” child actor Jake Lloyd shared a mental health update amid his schizophrenia diagnosis. (PA images via Getty Images)
“I can now accept the continuation of treatment, therapy and my medication,” he said. “Everyone was very supportive.”
‘STAR WARS’ CHILD ACTOR IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AFTER ‘TOTAL PSYCHOTIC BREAKDOWN’
Besides that to schizophrenia, Lisa previously told Sandell that Lloyd also has a neurological condition known as anosognosia, which, according to the National Institutes of Health, is “a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.”
Lisa said Lloyd’s condition prevented his desire to take medication because he didn’t believe he was sick.
While talking to Sanella, Lloyd described his medication as “great relief.”
“I don’t have time to feel unstable,” he said.
Lloyd played a young Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” (CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The former actor said “good things” came from his time in treatment.
Lloyd told Sandell that he believed it was necessary to get to the “bottom” in order to “engage honestly in treatment, take their medication honestly and live honestly with their diagnosis.”
Lisa previously shared that LLoyd has struggled with his mental health since he was in high school. She told Sandell she’s optimistic about the progress he’s made since he was diagnosed and started treatment.
“Jake is actually doing a lot better than he was,” she said. “It’s a huge relief for me and the rest of his family. We’re all delighted that he’s doing so well and that he’s working so hard at it. We appreciate it.”
Lloyd gained worldwide fame at the age of 8 when George Lucas cast him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.” Before appearing in the “Star Wars” movie, Jake debuted alongside him Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1996 holiday movie, “Jingle All the Way.”
Before retiring from acting in 2001, Lloyd’s last screen role was in the sports drama “Madison,” in which he starred opposite Jim Caviezel.
Lloyd and his mother, Lisa, shared optimism about his progress. (Getty Images)
During her interview with Scripps News, Lisa clarified that Lloyd acting in “The Phantom Menace” as a child did not prompt Lloyd to give up acting or contribute to his mental problems.
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa said, sharing with him that there was a history of schizophrenia on his father’s side of the family.
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She added, “I believe it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake should have become schizophrenic.”
Lisa also noted that when the movie “Star Wars”. got a backlash after its release in 1999, she shielded any negativity from her son.
“I shielded him from the kickback. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she said. “Everybody’s making a big deal about it. And it really annoys me because Jake was a little kid when it came out and he didn’t really feel all that stuff because I didn’t let him be online.”
Lloyd was 8 years old when George Lucas cast him as Anakin Skywalker. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
Lloyd told Sandell that he is a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers his time filming “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.”
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“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he tells me. “I just beat the first one.
Lloyd said he hasn’t seen any “Star Wars” movies or TV shows lately, but added that he plans to catch up on the special day celebrated by fans of the franchise around the world.
“I’m waiting for The fourth of May with my mom,” he said.
Lloyd said his experiences with fans are “immediately therapeutic.” (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Although Lloyd no longer attends “Star Wars” conventions, he said his experiences with fans are “therapeutic right now.”
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“It’s still therapeutic right now,” he added. “It’s good for people and healthy. It’s not something I would shy away from.”
Lloyd also expressed his gratitude for the continued support of fans in his midst health struggles.
“I really appreciate the time spent on us,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
