Jake Lloyd, who rose to fame as younger Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace, is opening up about his psychological well being struggles and the schizophrenia prognosis that contributed to his leaving Hollywood shortly after the movie’s launch.
In a new interview with Star Wars: Timelines co-author Clayton Sandell, Jake Lloyd mentioned he was feeling “fairly good” after finishing an 18-month keep at an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California. He’s presently residing at a brand new rehabilitation heart, the place he’s nonetheless receiving therapy however is a free agent relating to leaving and coming again.
“[I feel] fairly good, contemplating these 20 years of time which have come to an finish,” he mentioned. “I can now settle for taking up continued therapy, and remedy, and my meds. Everybody’s been very supportive.”
As Jake Lloyd’s mom, Lisa Lloyd, shared earlier final yr, a part of the difficulty was overcoming anosognosia, a neurological situation that causes a affected person to be unconsciously in denial about their signs.
“I don’t have the time for feeling risky,” Jake Lloyd mentioned of taking remedy. “It is extremely a lot a cushion.” The previous actor mentioned “good issues” have come from his time in therapy and that hitting “all-time low” was obligatory with a view to “truthfully participate in therapy, truthfully take your meds, and truthfully reside together with your prognosis.”
At simply 8 years outdated, Jake Lloyd turned a recognizable face after having appeared in George Lucas’ first prequel movie. Lisa Lloyd beforehand mentioned the backlash to her son’s performing was not among the many causes he give up the trade, as she shielded him from on-line vitriol, attributing it to non-public and household points. She additionally added on the time that the destructive response didn’t result in the prognosis, which is genetic.
Whereas Jake Lloyd has since stopped showing at conventions, he mentioned the franchise — and its loving followers — nonetheless holds a particular place in his coronary heart.
“The expertise I’ve had with the followers is instantly therapeutic. Proper now, it’s nonetheless therapeutic. It’s useful for folks and wholesome. It isn’t one thing I’d shrink back from.”
He added, “I actually do respect the time that’s been taken on us. I’m very appreciative.”
As for any Star Wars reunions, Jake Lloyd mentioned he’s wanting ahead to viewing the movies on the quintessential galactic vacation: “I’m holding out for Might the Fourth with my mother,” he defined.
Earlier than The Phantom Menace, Jake Lloyd was in movies like Jingle All of the Method alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Apollo 11. On TV, Jake appeared in episodes of ER and The Pretender. His final movie credit score was in 2001’s Madison.
