‘Star Wars’ child actor Jack Lloyd shares health struggles amid schizophrenia diagnosis
Former child actor Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I – ‘The Phantom Menace’ shares positive mental health update after being diagnosed with schizophrenia
In an interview with Star Wars: Timeline co-writer Clayton Sandel, Lloyd, 35, discussed his recent hospitalization at a Southern California mental health facility for 18 years with his mother, Lisa Lloyd Progress after months.
Lisa, who previously spoke to Sandel for an article in Scripps News, said Lloyd suffered a “full-blown mental breakdown” after stalling on a three-lane road in March 2023 before coming to terms with treat.
According to Sandel, Lloyd is now living in a new rehab facility, where he continues to receive treatment but has free access. During the conversation, Lloyd told Sandel he was feeling “really good.”
Former Star Wars child actor Jack Lloyd has shared a mental health update after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. (PA photo via Getty Images)
“I am now in a position to receive continued treatment, therapy and medication,” he said. “Everyone has been very supportive.”
‘Star Wars’ child actor admitted to mental health facility after ‘full-blown mental breakdown’
In addition to schizophrenia, Lisa previously told Sandel that Lloyd suffered from a neurological disorder called agnosia, which, according to the National Institutes of Health, “is a neurological disorder that Patients are unaware of their neurological deficit or mental illness.
Lisa said Lloyd’s condition made him not want to take medication because he didn’t believe he was sick.
In speaking with Sarnell, Lloyd described his medication as “very much a buffer.”
“I don’t have time to feel unstable,” he said.
Lloyd played young Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” (Chris Pizzello/AP/AFP via Getty Images)
The former actor went on to say that “good things” came from the time he spent in therapy.
Lloyd told Sandel that he believed hitting “rock bottom” was necessary in order to “honestly participate in treatment, honestly take medication, and honestly accept diagnosis.”
Lisa previously said Lloyd had struggled with mental health since high school. She told Sandel she was optimistic about the progress Sandel had made since receiving his diagnosis and starting treatment.
“Jake is actually better than he was before,” she said. “It’s a big relief to me and his family. We’re all happy that he’s doing so well and he’s worked really hard. We appreciate that.”
Lloyd became famous at the age of 8 when George Lucas cast him to play Anakin in The Phantom Menace. Before starring in the Star Wars movies, Jack made his acting debut in the 1996 holiday film Jingle All the Way opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Before retiring from acting in 2001, Lloyd’s last screen role was in the sports drama “Madison,” where he starred opposite Jim Caviezel.
Lloyd and his mother, Lisa, are optimistic about his progress. (Getty Images)
In an interview with Scripps News, Lisa clarified that “The Phantom Menace” starring Lloyd as a child did not prompt him to give up acting, nor did it contribute to his mental health issues.
“This was going to happen no matter what,” Lisa said, adding that his father’s family has a history of schizophrenia.
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She added, “I believe it’s genetic. His psychiatrist also agrees that Jack will develop schizophrenia.”
Lisa also noted that when the Star Wars movies received backlash after their release in 1999, she hid any negative feelings from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was just outside riding his bike and playing with his friends. He didn’t know. He didn’t care,” she said. “Everyone took it very seriously. It was quite annoying to me because Jack was a little kid when this came out and he wasn’t really feeling all of this stuff because I wouldn’t let him go online.”
Lloyd was 8 years old when George Lucas cast him as Anakin Skywalker. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
Lloyd told Sandel that he was a fan of the Star Wars franchise and fondly remembered his time filming The Phantom Menace.
He said he recently played the classic “Star Wars” video games “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.”
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“I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he told me. “I just defeated the first one.
Lloyd said he hasn’t seen any Star Wars movies or TV shows recently, but added that he planned to do so on a special day commemorated by fans of the series around the world.
“My mother and I were waiting for May Fourth,” he said.
Lloyd said his experiences with fans were “instantly therapeutic.” (Michael Tulberg/Getty Images)
Although Lloyd no longer attends Star Wars conventions, he said his experiences with fans were “instantly therapeutic.”
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“For now, it still has therapeutic benefits,” he added. “It helps people and it’s healthy. I’m not going to shy away from it.”
Lloyd also thanked fans for their continued support during his health issues.
“I really appreciate the time we spent,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”
Fox News Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
