‘Star Wars’ Actor Jake Lloyd, 35, Shares Replace on His Schizophrenia Journey

Jake Lloyd, the previous little one actor who performed Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, feels “fairly good” initially of 2025.

Lloyd, now 35, lately accomplished an 18-month keep at an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California, writer Clayton Sandell reported on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The actor, who was recognized with schizophrenia, is beginning the brand new 12 months dwelling at a rehabilitation heart the place he’s receiving remedy. 

Lloyd’s mom Lisa Lloyd informed Sandell her son struggled with anosognosia, which is frequent for these with schizophrenia. It’s a situation “the place your mind can’t acknowledge a number of different well being situations you might have,” per the Cleveland Clinic, which provides that individuals with it are “more likely to keep away from or resist remedy for his or her different well being situations.” 

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When Sandell requested how he was doing, Lloyd had constructive information to share.

“Fairly good, contemplating these 20 years of time which have come to an finish,” Lloyd mentioned. “I can now settle for taking over continued remedy, and remedy, and my meds. Everybody’s been very supportive.” (Lisa later informed Sandell it hasn’t been 20 years since he was recognized.)

Lloyd was 8 years previous when George Lucas solid him as Anakin in The Phantom Menace, which meant his face was all over the place in 1999. Lisa informed Sandell final 12 months in an interview printed by Scripps Information that the unfavourable response to the film had nothing to do along with his resolution to depart performing behind or his psychological well being decline. She famous that there was a historical past of schizophrenia in his father’s household.

In 2015, Lloyd was arrested in South Carolina throughout a highway journey from Florida to Canada. He spent 10 months in jail, which led to Lisa telling TMZ her son was recognized with schizophrenia. In Could 2023, Lloyd had a whole “psychotic break” and was arrested after turning his automotive off in the course of a three-lane highway. 

Hitting “all-time low” was essential to “actually participate in remedy, actually take your meds, and actually stay together with your analysis,” Lloyd informed Sandell.

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At this time, Lloyd is a Star Wars fan himself and is taking part in by means of the franchise’s basic video video games. Though he’s not showing at fan conventions, he informed Sandell that the experiences he has had with followers are “instantly therapeutic.” 

“I actually do admire the time that is been taken on us,” Lloyd mentioned. “I am very appreciative.”

Lloyd nonetheless has some catching as much as do in the case of Disney’s newest Star Wars tasks. He informed Sandell he was “holding out” for Could the Fourth to observe as a lot as he can.

“Jake’s truly getting so a lot better than he was,” Lisa additionally informed Sandell. “It’s a giant reduction for me and the remainder of his household. We’re all simply thrilled that he is doing in addition to he’s, and that he is working actually arduous at it. We admire that.”

For those who or somebody you recognize wants psychological well being assist, textual content “STRENGTH” to the Disaster Textual content Line at 741-741 to be linked to a licensed disaster counselor.