From Star Wars to Struggles: Jake Lloyd, Young Anakin, Shares Details Regarding His Battle with Schizophrenia

Jake Lloyd, known for playing Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, has shared his experience with schizophrenia. His struggle with the illness made him leave acting soon after the movie came out in 1999.

Lloyd recently spent 18 months in a mental health facility in Southern California. He says he’s now feeling “pretty good” and is continuing treatment at a center where he has more freedom.

[I’m feeling] 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.

Source: Variety

Lloyd expressed gratitude for the support he’s received, which has helped him stay committed to therapy and medication.

Lloyd shared that he once reached what he called “rock bottom,” but he sees it as a turning point that helped him fully commit to treatment. He explained that consistently taking his medication keeps him stable, describing it as a “cushion” that helps prevent mood swings.

His mother, Lisa, also spoke out, debunking rumors that the intense criticism of The Phantom Menace pushed Jake to quit acting. She clarified that his schizophrenia diagnosis in 2008 was the primary reason. Lisa explained how she shielded Jake from the backlash, allowing him to focus on being a kid and stay away from online negativity.

It would have happened anyway. I believe that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to become schizophrenic. I protected him from the [‘The Phantom Menace’] backlash. He was just riding his bike outside, playing with his friends. He didn’t know.

He didn’t care. 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’s story sheds light on how he has navigated his challenges and worked to manage his mental health over the years.

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