Young Anakin Jake Lloyd Opens Up About Mental Health Battle

No jokes about the Force because this is a serious struggle against a real foe.

Jake Lloyd was remarkably cute for a child actor. He was that darling child next to Ah-nald in Jingle All the Way. He was adept at convincing Star Wars fans that he was Anakin Skywalker--the kid who would become Darth Vader. Becoming the sardonic personification of the Dark Side of the Force can play with a blossoming eight-year-old mind. Yet, Lloyd did an admirable job.

The Phantom Menace became nothing short of a prolonged labor of love for George Lucas. Since he is, you know, George-freaking-Lucas, no one is going to continue to bash his octogenarian cranium into an ashtray. However, while the crazed fandom was vociferously shouting at the sun because of Jar-Jar Binks, Jake Lloyd quietly began a lifelong confrontation with an evil he could never explain.

Until now. That was 25 years ago.

Jake Lloyd Speaks Up About His Schizophrenia

Today's Jake Lloyd is not as far as a galaxy far, far away (Credit: Backgrid)

A present-day Jake Lloyd, 35, sat down with Clayton Sandell on his podcast "Substack." The co-writer of "Star Wars Timelines" is the first person to speak with "Anny Skywalker" following an 18-month stay at a Southern California inpatient mental health facility.

“[I feel] pretty good, considering these 20 years of time that have come to an end,” he said. “I can now accept taking on continued treatment, and therapy, and my meds. Everyone’s been very supportive," Lloyd shared.

Following the overwhelming popularity being Anakin Skywalker, Jake Lloyd voiced several video games, did one movie few people saw starring next to Jim Caviezel, and left acting in 2002, never to return. While most of the ire was focused on Ahmed Best (Jar Jar) who encountered deep depression as a result of the vitriol, Lloyd faded away.

Only, he didn't.

It wasn't depression for being attacked as a schmaltzy child actor (and be real, it was the script). It wasn't not getting any roles. It was a neurological condition called "anosognosia." Although rare, it is real. The Cleveland Clinic defines it as "a condition where your brain can't recognize one or more other health conditions you have." Usually, this is a precursor for Alzheimer's or, what Jake struggles with to this day, schizophrenia.

His mother, Lisa, has provided a little insight to the fallback of Jake's mental health, including his 2015 high-speed police pursuit that led to his arrest. Until this current podcast interview, Jake has said hardly anything. Fortunately, his 18 years of running from himself appears to be coming to an end.

“I don’t have the time for feeling volatile,” he said. “It is very much a cushion.” Lloyd shared that “good things” have come from hitting rock bottom. One of the most important he notes is to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”

Lisa has shared a family history of schizophrenia in the past. Once that news began to trickle out over the ofttimes cantankerous Star Wars fandom, people turned to help. Today, Lloyd is grateful for fandom interaction and engagement.

"The experience I've had with the fans is immediately therapeutic,” he explained. “Right now, it's still therapeutic. It's helpful for people and healthy. It isn't something I'd shy away from. I really do appreciate the time that's been taken on us. I'm very appreciative."

This is a young man who was screaming for help. Fortunately, he has received some. There are nerds who pray. Please add Jake Lloyd to your prayer lists. Star Wars fans have finally helped him. Let's see if we can do some more.