‘Star Wars’ child actor Jake Lloyd talks about…
Former child actor Jake Lloyd, who performed younger Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” shared a constructive mental health replace after being recognized with schizophrenia.
During an interview with “Star Wars: Timelines” co-author Clayton Sandell, Lloyd, now 35, and his mom Lisa Lloyd mentioned his progress after he just lately accomplished an 18-month keep at an inpatient mental health facility in Southern California.
While talking with Sandell beforehand for an article in Scripps News, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered remedy after experiencing a “full-blown psychotic break” during which he turned his car off on a three-lane highway in March 2023.
According to Sandell, Lloyd is at present dwelling in a new rehabilitation heart the place he’s persevering with to obtain remedy however has the liberty to come back and go at will. During their dialog, Lloyd instructed Sandell that he was feeling “pretty good.”
“I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds,” he stated. “Everyone’s been very supportive.”
In addition to schizophrenia, Lisa beforehand instructed Sandell that Lloyd additionally has a neurological situation often known as anosognosia, which, in accordance with the National Institute of Health, “is a neurological condition in which the patient is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric condition.”
Jake Lloyd portrays a younger Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.” Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lisa stated Lloyd’s situation stopped him from desirous to take treatment as a result of he didn’t imagine he was sick.
While talking with Sanell, Lloyd described his treatment as “very much a cushion.”
“I don’t have the time for feeling volatile,” he stated.
The former actor went on to say that “good things” have come from the time he has spent in remedy.
Director George Lucas with Amanda Lucas, Jett Lucas and Jake Lloyd on the after get together of the San Francisco World Premiere of “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith” on May 12, 2005. Getty Images
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he believed hitting “rock bottom” was needed so as to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”
Lisa beforehand shared that LLoyd had struggled together with his mental health since he was in high college. She instructed Sandell that she was optimistic about the progress that he had made since receiving his prognosis and starting remedy.
“Jake’s actually getting so much better than he was,” she stated. “It’s a big relief for me and the rest of his family. We’re all just thrilled that he’s doing as well as he is, and that he’s working really hard at it. We appreciate that.”
Jake Lloyd seems on the “Star Wars Celebration IV” conference on the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 27, 2007. Getty Images
Lloyd rose to worldwide fame on the age of 8 when George Lucas forged him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.”
Prior to showing within the “Star Wars” film, Jake made his appearing debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger within the 1996 vacation movie, “Jingle All the Way.”
Before retiring from appearing in 2001, Lloyd’s final on-screen function was within the sports activities drama “Madison,” through which he starred reverse Jim Caviezel.
During her interview for Scripps News, Lisa clarified that Lloyd starring in “The Phantom Menace” as a child didn’t immediate him to stroll away from appearing or contribute to his mental health points.
“It would have happened anyway,” Lisa stated, sharing that there was a historical past of schizophrenia on his father’s aspect of the household.
Lloyd seems in a scene with Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor and R2-D2 within the 1999 movie. ©Lucasfilm Ltd./courtesy Everett
She added, “I believe that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to become schizophrenic.”
Lisa additionally famous that when the “Star Wars” movie acquired backlash after its release in 1999, she shielded any negativity from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she stated. “Everybody makes such a big deal about that. And it’s rather annoying to me because Jake was a little kid when that came out, and he didn’t really feel all that stuff because I didn’t let him online.”
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he’s a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers his time making “The Phantom Menace.”
Lloyd performs a recreation during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 13, 1999. AP
He stated that he has just lately performed the traditional “Star Wars” video video games “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”
“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he tells me. “I simply beat the primary one.
Lloyd stated that he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” motion pictures or TV exhibits currently however added that he plans to catch up on a big day marked by followers of the franchise worldwide.
“I’m holding out for May the Fourth with my mom,” he stated.
Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Jake Lloyd and Ewan McGregor shot a scene collectively. Lucasfilm Ltd.
Though Lloyd no longer attends “Star Wars” conventions, he stated that his experiences with followers are “immediately therapeutic.”
“Right now, it’s still therapeutic,” he added. “It’s helpful for people and healthy. It isn’t something I’d shy away from.”
Lloyd additionally expressed his gratitude for followers’ continued help amid his health struggles.
“I really do appreciate the time that’s been taken on us,” he stated. “I’m very appreciative.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
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