Former youngster actor Jake Lloyd, who performed younger Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” shared a optimistic psychological well being replace after being identified with schizophrenia.
Throughout an interview with “Star Wars: Timelines” co-author Clayton Sandell, Lloyd, now 35, and his mom Lisa Lloyd mentioned his progress after he just lately accomplished an 18-month keep at an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California.
Whereas talking with Sandell beforehand for an article in Scripps Information, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered remedy after experiencing a “full-blown psychotic break” throughout which he turned his automotive off on a three-lane highway in March 2023.
In keeping with Sandell, Lloyd is at the moment dwelling in a brand new rehabilitation middle the place he’s persevering with to obtain remedy however has the liberty to come back and go at will. Throughout their dialog, Lloyd instructed Sandell that he was feeling “pretty good.”
Former “Star Wars” youngster actor Jake Lloyd shared a psychological well being replace amid his schizophrenia prognosis. ( PA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)
“I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds,” he mentioned. “Everyone’s been very supportive.”
‘STAR WARS’ CHILD ACTOR IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AFTER ‘FULL-BLOWN PSYCHOTIC BREAK’
As well as to schizophrenia, Lisa beforehand instructed Sandell that Lloyd additionally has a neurological situation referred to as anosognosia, which, in keeping with the Nationwide Institute of Well being, “is a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.”
Lisa mentioned Lloyd’s situation stopped him from eager to take treatment as a result of he did not consider he was sick.
Whereas talking with Sanell, Lloyd described his treatment as “very much a cushion.”
“I don’t have the time for feeling volatile,” he mentioned.
Lloyd performed younger Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” (CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP POOL/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
The previous actor went on to say that “good things” have come from the time he has spent in remedy.
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he believed hitting “rock bottom” was vital so as to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”
Lisa beforehand shared that LLoyd had struggled together with his psychological well being since he was in highschool. She instructed Sandell that she was optimistic concerning the progress that he had made since receiving his prognosis and starting remedy.
“Jake’s actually getting so much better than he was,” she mentioned. “It’s a big relief for me and the rest of his family. We’re all just thrilled that he’s doing as well as he is, and that he’s working really hard at it. We appreciate that.”
Lloyd rose to worldwide fame on the age of 8 when George Lucas forged him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.” Previous to showing within the “Star Wars” film, Jake made his appearing debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger within the 1996 vacation movie, “Jingle All the Way.”
Earlier than retiring from appearing in 2001, Lloyd’s final on-screen function was within the sports activities drama “Madison,” during which he starred reverse Jim Caviezel.
Lloyd and his mom Lisa shared their optimism about his progress. (Getty Photographs)
Throughout her interview for Scripps Information, Lisa clarified that Lloyd starring in “The Phantom Menace” as a toddler didn’t immediate him to stroll away from appearing or contribute to his psychological well being points.
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa mentioned, sharing that there was a historical past of schizophrenia on his father’s aspect of the household.
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She added, “I believe that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to become schizophrenic.”
Lisa additionally famous that when the “Star Wars” movie acquired backlash after its launch in 1999, she shielded any negativity from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she mentioned. “Everybody makes such a big deal about that. And it’s rather annoying to me because Jake was a little kid when that came out, and he didn’t really feel all that stuff because I didn’t let him online.”
Lloyd was 8 when George Lucas forged him as Anakin Skywalker. (David Paul Morris/Getty Photographs)
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he’s a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers his time making “The Phantom Menace.”
He mentioned that he has just lately performed the basic “Star Wars” video 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 that he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” movies or TV shows lately but added that he plans to catch up on a special day marked by fans of the franchise worldwide.
“I’m holding out for Could the Fourth with my mother,” he mentioned.
Lloyd said his experiences with fans are “instantly therapeutic.” ( Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Though Lloyd no longer attends “Star Wars” conventions, he said that his experiences with fans are “instantly therapeutic.”
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“Proper now, it is nonetheless therapeutic,” he added. “It is useful for folks and wholesome. It is not one thing I would shrink back from.”
Lloyd additionally expressed his gratitude for followers’ continued assist amid his well being struggles.
“I actually do admire the time that is been taken on us,” he said. “I am very appreciative.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
