Former child actor Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker in the 1999 film “Star Wars: Episode I.” – “The Phantom Menace,” shared a positive mental health update after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
During an interview with Clayton Sandell, co-author of Star Wars: Timelines, Lloyd, now 35, and his mother Lisa Lloyd discussed the progress he has made after recently completing an 18-month stay at an inpatient mental health facility in Southern California.
While speaking with Sandell previously for an article in Scripps News, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered treatment after experiencing a “full psychotic break” during which he parked his car on a three-lane road in March 2023.
According to Sandel, Lloyd is currently living in a new rehab center where he continues to receive treatment but is free to come and go as he pleases. During their conversation, Lloyd told Sandel that he felt “pretty good.”
“I can now accept continuing treatment, therapy and medication,” he said. “Everyone has been so supportive.”
In addition to schizophrenia, Lisa previously told Sandel that Lloyd also suffers from a neurological condition known as anomaly, which, according to the National Institutes of Health, “is a neurological condition in which the patient is not aware of his or her neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.”
Lisa said Lloyd's condition prevented him from wanting to take medication because he didn't think he was sick.
While speaking with Sanel, Lloyd described his medications as “pretty much a pillow.”
“I don't have time to feel fickle,” he said.
The former actor went on to say that “good things” came from his time in therapy.
Lloyd told Sandel that he believed hitting “rock bottom” was necessary in order to “honestly engage in treatment, honestly take your medication, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”
Lisa previously shared that Lloyd has been struggling with his mental health since he was in high school. She told Sandel she is optimistic about the progress he has made since being diagnosed and starting treatment.
“Jake is actually a lot better than he was,” she said. “It's a huge relief to me and the rest of his family. We're all thrilled that he's doing as well as he is, and that he's working hard to make it happen. We appreciate it.”
Lloyd rose to international fame at the age of eight when George Lucas cast him in the role of Anakin in The Phantom Menace.
Before appearing in “Star Wars,” Jake made his acting debut alongside 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”, where he starred opposite Jim Caviezel.
During her interview with Scripps News, Lisa explained that starring as Lloyd in The Phantom Menace as a child did not lead him away from acting or contribute to his mental health issues.
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa said, noting that his father had a history of schizophrenia in the family.
She added: “I think it was genetic.” His psychiatrist also agrees that Jake will develop schizophrenia.
Lisa also noted that when “Star Wars” received backlash after its release in 1999, she protected her son from any negativity.
I protected him from the backlash. He was riding his bike outside and playing with his friends. He didn't know. “He didn’t care,” she said. “Everyone is making a big deal about it. And that's very upsetting to me because Jake was a little kid when this came out, and he didn't really feel all that stuff because I didn't let him get online.”
Lloyd told Sandel that he is a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and remembers his time producing “The Phantom Menace” fondly.
He said he recently played the classic Star Wars video games “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”
“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he told me. “I just beat the first one.
Lloyd said he hasn't watched any “Star Wars” movies or TV shows recently, but added that he plans to follow a special day that fans of the franchise around the world celebrate.
“I'm waiting for May 4th with my mom,” he said.
Although Lloyd no longer attends Star Wars conventions, he said his experiences with fans are “instantly therapeutic.”
“For now, the treatment is still curative,” he added. “It's good for healthy people. It's not something I'm ashamed of.”
Lloyd also expressed his gratitude for fans' continued support amid his health struggles.
“I really appreciate the time you spent with us,” he said. “I am very grateful.”
Fox News Digital's Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
