‘Star Wars’ actor Jake Lloyd gives health update on schizophrenia

Jake Lloyd has given fans an update on his health.

The former child actor, best known for portraying young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, is making strides in his recovery following a serious episode in March 2023.

After completing an 18-month stay at a Southern California inpatient mental health facility, Lloyd told journalist Clayton Sandell, who reported on his mental health for Scripps News last year, that he’s feeling “pretty good” now that he’s at a new rehabilitation facility that allows him to come and go whenever he wants.

“I can now accept taking on continued treatment and therapy and my meds,” he said. “Everyone’s been very supportive.”

Lloyd’s mother, Lisa Lloyd, had previously told Scripps News that the actor had experienced “a full-blown psychotic break” in 2023 after being diagnosed with schizophrenia and anosognosia, as the latter condition prevented him from recognizing the symptoms of the former.

Now, Lloyd seems to be steadily improving, telling Sandell that he thinks one has to hit “rock bottom” in order to “honestly take part in treatment, honestly take your meds, and honestly live with your diagnosis.”

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Lisa Lloyd is also optimistic about her son’s recovery. “Jake’s actually getting so much better than he was,” she said. “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.”

The actor, who retired from onscreen performing in 2001, said “good things” are arising from his treatment. “I don’t have the time for feeling volatile,” he explained. “It is very much a cushion.”

Sandell also reported that Lloyd has been keeping up his Star Wars fandom by playing beloved video games like The Old Republic and The Force Unleashed. “I want to play The Force Unleashed II,” he said. “I just beat the first one.”

Despite persistent rumors, Lloyd said his interactions with Star Wars devotees have been overwhelmingly positive. “The experience I’ve had with the fans is immediately therapeutic,” he said in the new interview. “Right now, it’s still therapeutic. It’s helpful for people and healthy. It isn’t something I’d shy away from.”

He added, “I really do appreciate the time that’s been taken on us.”