‘Star Wars’ child actor Jake Lloyd shares health update amid schizophrenia diagnosis
Former child actor Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I. – The Phantom Menace,” shared a beautiful review of mental health after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
In an interview with “Star Wars: Timelines” author Clayton Sandell, Lloyd, now 35, and his mother Lisa Lloyd discussed his progress after spending 18 months at a mental health facility in Southern California.
While speaking with Sandell earlier in an article in Scripps News, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered therapy after experiencing a “psychic break” where he blacked out 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 leave at will. During their conversation, Lloyd told Sandell that he felt “very good.”
Former “Star Wars” child actor Jake Lloyd has shared a mental health update during his schizophrenia diagnosis. (PA Photos via Getty Images)
“I can now accept continuing treatment, and therapy, and my medication,” he said. “Everyone has been very supportive.”
‘STAR WARS’ CHILD ACTOR INTO MENTAL HEALTH AFTER ‘PERFECT PSYCHOTIC BREAK’
In addition to schizophrenia, Lisa previously told Sandell that Lloyd also suffers from a neurological condition known as anosognosia, which, according to the National Institute of Health, “is a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of a deficit or mental state.”
Lisa said that Lloyd’s condition made him not want to take medication because he did not believe that he was sick.
While talking to Sanell, Lloyd described his medicine as “a big pillow.”
“I don’t have time to feel flexible,” he said.
Lloyd played a young Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” (CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The actor went on to say that “good things” happened during his treatment.
Lloyd told Sandell that he believes hitting “rock bottom” is necessary to “participate honestly in treatment, take your medication honestly, and live honestly with your diagnosis.”
Lisa previously shared that LLoyd has struggled with his mental health since high school. He told Sandell that he is optimistic about the progress he has made since receiving the diagnosis and starting treatment.
“Jake is actually getting a lot better than he was,” she said. “It’s a huge relief for me and his whole family. We’re all happy that he’s doing as well as he is, and that he’s working hard at it. We appreciate that.”
Lloyd rose to international fame at age 8 when George Lucas cast him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.” Before appearing in the “Star Wars” films, Jake made his acting debut opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1996 holiday film, “Jingle All the Way.”
Before retiring from acting in 2001, Lloyd’s last on-screen role was in the sports drama “Madison,” opposite Jim Caviezel.
Lloyd and his mother Lisa share their hope for his progress. (Getty Images)
During her interview with Scripps News, Lisa clarified that Lloyd playing in “The Phantom Menace” as a child did not push her away from acting or contribute to her mental health issues.
“It could have happened anyway,” said Lisa, explaining that there is a history of schizophrenia on her father’s side of the family.
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He added, “I believe it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to have a mental illness.”
Lisa also noted that when the movie “Star Wars” received a backlash after its release in 1999, she defended any negative view of her son.
“I protected him from rebellion. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” he said. “Everybody’s making a big deal about that. And it makes me angry because Jake was a little kid when that came out, and he didn’t hear all that stuff because I didn’t let him on the Internet.”
Lloyd was 8 years old when George Lucas cast him as Anakin Skywalker. (Photos by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
Lloyd told Sandell that he is a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers 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.”
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“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he tells me. “I just hit the first one.
Lloyd said he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” movies or TV shows recently, but added that he plans to hold a special day marked by fans of the franchise around the world.
“I will continue with the fourth of May with my mother,” he said.
Lloyd said his experience with fans is “right here.” (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Although Lloyd doesn’t go to “Star Wars” conventions anymore, he said his experience with fans “heals you instantly.”
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“For now, it’s still a treatment,” he added. “It’s useful for people and it’s healthy. It’s not something I can avoid.”
Lloyd also expressed his gratitude for the continued support of fans in the midst of health problems.
“I really appreciate the time it took for us,” he said. “Thank you very much.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
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