Jake Lloyd, the actor who played the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, has spoken about his mental health struggles.
The star suffered what his mother Lisa described as a “full-blown psychotic break” in March 2023 during which he turned his car off in the middle of a three-lane road. She said he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his 20s, having first started experiencing symptoms while in high school.
He recently spent 18-months in a mental health rehabilitation facility and following his rehabilitation period, Lloyd, who is now 35, spoke with author Clayton Sandell.
While the film was celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, Lloyd was absent from the coverage and has largely remained out of the spotlight since the film was released.
Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ewan McGregor in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ CREDIT: Lucasfilm/Disney
When the author asked how he was feeling now, he responded: “Pretty good, considering these 20 years of time that have come to an end. I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds. Everyone’s been very supportive.”
The former actor went on to say “good things” have come from his treatment after he hit what he called “rock bottom.” He added that it was something that needed to happen so that he could learn to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds and honestly live with your diagnosis.”
Lloyd was cast as Anakin Skywalker when he was eight-years-old. The film was released in 1999, and his portrayal wasn’t always well-received.
For years, people speculated that the backlash contributed to his mental health struggles, but his mother previously argued that wasn’t the case, sharing that his father’s side of the family had a history of schizophrenia.
“People say he quit because of Star Wars. Well, that’s not true. It didn’t have anything to do with Star Wars. It had more to do with our family. And we were going through a divorce,” Lisa explained at the time. “Things were unsettled and kind of rough. And Jake didn’t seem to be having a lot of fun auditioning anymore.”
She continued: “Jake loved filming Star Wars. He had so much fun. I would love for him to get well enough to be able to do a little bit of something, and I’m sure he would maybe like to do that. He couldn’t at this point, but you never know how much he’s going to improve. So we’ll see.”
For help and advice on mental health:
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians (CALL MUSIC MINDS MATTER ON: 0808 802 8008)
Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues (CALL: 0800 030 6789)
YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
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