At eight years previous, Jake Lloyd grew to become the co-lead of a Star Wars film when he was tapped to play Anakin Skywalker. However the former baby star’s Hollywood profession did not final. He skilled bullying in class and harassment from the press, and, years later, Lloyd made headlines as an grownup on account of a number of run-ins with the regulation, together with a 10-month jail stint, and his schizophrenia prognosis. Apparently, the Phantom Menace actor is doing a lot better nowadays, although, is even discussing how he is reconnecting with the sci-fi franchise and its followers.
Lloyd, who’s at the moment 35, has now been coping with psychological well being struggles for 15 years now, however he lately instructed Clayton Sandell (by the use of his Substack) that he’s been lastly feeling “fairly good.” The kid actor lately accomplished an 18-month keep at an inpatient psychological well being facility in Southern California and is beginning 2025 in a rehabilitation middle that permits him freedom to dwell as he pleases. As for his connection to Star Wars followers nowadays, Lloyd mentioned this:
The expertise I’ve had with the followers is instantly therapeutic. Proper now, it is nonetheless therapeutic. It is useful for individuals and wholesome. It is not one thing I might shrink back from. … I actually do recognize the time that is been taken on us. I am very appreciative.
Per the current interview, Jake Lloyd’s essential hurdle for a very long time was anosognosia, a neurological situation that made him unconsciously in denial about his paranoid schizophrenia. For a very long time, the Jingle All of the Method star was not taking medicine that might assist suppress signs like listening to voices or appearing erratically.
The previous a number of years have seen many attribute the previous actor’s psychological well being struggles to the Star Wars fandom. Nonetheless, in 2024, Lloyd’s mom “it could have occurred anyway,” as a result of his situation is “genetic”, particularly on his dad’s facet. On the subject of how her son’s doing now, Lisa Lloyd shares some constructive ideas:
Jake’s really getting so a lot better than he was. It’s a giant 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 onerous at it. We recognize that.
That’s to not say Jake Lloyd’s therapy by the general public was OK. After the film was launched in 1999, Ron Howard wrote an outlet a private letter with regard to how they spoke about Lloyd, calling their reporting “irresponsible” and “shameful.” Luke Skywalker icon Mark Hamill, additionally mentioned he was “indignant” at followers for the way the younger actor was handled.
Regardless of all of that, nowadays, the previous baby actor is a Star Wars fan, who has good recollections of engaged on George Lucas’ 1999 film and crossing paths with followers. Jake Lloyd mentioned he feels the assist from followers and the universe stays a constructive area for him. On the subject of his love of the franchise, he steered that he’ll watch fairly just a few films and TV reveals to have a good time Might The Fourth this yr. His mother additionally mentioned this about their plans:
Will probably be a Star Wars day, as at all times. However I believe this yr, we’re getting t-shirts.
The previous actor has considerably been following Star Wars films and TV reveals, as he lately watched Ahsoka. But it appears like Might The Fourth will really be his day to take pleasure in choices from the galaxy far, distant. Moreover, he has been “intensely” enjoying video video games like The Previous Republic and The Pressure Unleashed. Lloyd hasn’t had the simplest highway to journey, nevertheless it’s fantastic that he is bettering and has been in a position to soak within the love from followers.
You’ll be able to, after all, see Jake Lloyd in Episode I – The Phantom Menace together with all of the Star Wars films so as utilizing a Disney+ subscription now.