Former little one actor Jake Lloyd, who performed younger Anakin Skywalker in 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” shared a optimistic psychological well being replace after being recognized with schizophrenia.
Throughout 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 psychological well being facility in Southern California.
Whereas talking with Sandell beforehand for an article in Scripps Information, Lisa shared that Lloyd entered remedy after experiencing a “full-blown psychotic break” throughout which he turned his automobile off on a three-lane highway in March 2023.
In keeping with Sandell, Lloyd is at present residing in a brand new rehabilitation heart the place he’s persevering with to obtain remedy however has the liberty to come back and go at will. Throughout their dialog, Lloyd instructed Sandell that he was feeling “fairly good.”
Former “Star Wars” little one actor Jake Lloyd shared a psychological well being replace amid his schizophrenia analysis. ( PA Pictures by way of Getty Pictures)
“I can now settle for taking up continued remedy, and remedy, and my meds,” he stated. “Everybody’s been very supportive.”
‘STAR WARS’ CHILD ACTOR IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AFTER ‘FULL-BLOWN PSYCHOTIC BREAK’
As well as to schizophrenia, Lisa beforehand instructed Sandell that Lloyd additionally has a neurological situation often called anosognosia, which, in keeping with the Nationwide Institute of Well being, “is a neurological situation wherein the affected person is unaware of their neurological deficit or psychiatric situation.”
Lisa stated Lloyd’s situation stopped him from eager to take medicine as a result of he did not imagine he was sick.
Whereas talking with Sanell, Lloyd described his medicine as “very a lot a cushion.”
“I don’t have the time for feeling unstable,” he stated.
Lloyd performed younger Anakin Skywalker in “The Phantom Menace.” (CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP POOL/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
The previous actor went on to say that “good issues” have come from the time he has spent in remedy.
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he believed hitting “all-time low” was essential with a view to “actually participate in remedy, actually take your meds, and actually stay along with your analysis.”
Lisa beforehand shared that LLoyd had struggled along with his psychological well being since he was in highschool. She instructed Sandell that she was optimistic concerning the progress that he had made since receiving his analysis and starting remedy.
“Jake’s really getting so significantly better than he was,” she stated. “It is a massive aid for me and the remainder of his household. We’re all simply thrilled that he is doing in addition to he’s, and that he is working actually laborious at it. We respect that.”
Lloyd rose to worldwide fame on the age of 8 when George Lucas forged him as Anakin in “The Phantom Menace.” Previous to showing within the “Star Wars” film, Jake made his appearing debut alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger within the 1996 vacation movie, “Jingle All of the Method.”
Earlier than retiring from appearing in 2001, Lloyd’s final on-screen position was within the sports activities drama “Madison,” wherein he starred reverse Jim Caviezel.
Lloyd and his mom Lisa shared their optimism about his progress. (Getty Pictures)
Throughout her interview for Scripps Information, Lisa clarified that Lloyd starring in “The Phantom Menace” as a toddler didn’t immediate him to stroll away from appearing or contribute to his psychological well being points.
“It will have occurred anyway,” Lisa stated, sharing that there was a historical past of schizophrenia on his father’s facet of the household.
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She added, “I imagine that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist additionally agrees that Jake was going to develop into schizophrenic.”
Lisa additionally famous that when the “Star Wars” movie received backlash after its launch in 1999, she shielded any negativity from her son.
“I protected him from the backlash. He was simply driving his bike exterior, enjoying along with his buddies. He did not know. He did not care,” she stated. “Everyone makes such a giant deal about that. And it is relatively annoying to me as a result of Jake was somewhat child when that got here out, and he did not actually really feel all that stuff as a result of I did not let him on-line.”
Lloyd was 8 when George Lucas forged him as Anakin Skywalker. (David Paul Morris/Getty Pictures)
Lloyd instructed Sandell that he’s a fan of the “Star Wars” franchise and fondly remembers his time making “The Phantom Menace.”
He stated that he has just lately performed the basic “Star Wars” video video games “Star Wars: The Previous Republic” and “Star Wars: The Pressure Unleashed.”
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“I need to play The Pressure Unleashed II,” he tells me. “I simply beat the primary one.
Lloyd stated that he hasn’t watched any “Star Wars” films or TV exhibits recently however added that he plans to make amends for a special occasion marked by followers of the franchise worldwide.
“I’m holding out for May the Fourth with my mother,” he stated.
Lloyd stated his experiences with followers are “instantly therapeutic.” ( Michael Tullberg/Getty Pictures)
Although Lloyd now not attends “Star Wars” conventions, he stated that his experiences with followers are “instantly therapeutic.”
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“Proper now, it is nonetheless therapeutic,” he added. “It is useful for folks and wholesome. It is not one thing I might draw back from.”
Lloyd additionally expressed his gratitude for followers’ continued help amid his health struggles.
“I actually do respect the time that is been taken on us,” he stated. “I am very appreciative.”
Fox Information Digital’s Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
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