Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, is set to graduate from an inpatient treatment programme and is excited about pursuing esports
Jake Lloyd – the actor who played ‘Young Anakin Skywalker in Phantom of the Menace – has treated fans to a rare interview. After becoming a huge child star when George Lucas’ prequel came out in 1999, Lloyd was sadly diagnosed with schizophrenia just two later. Since then he has lived a reclusive life and has been in treatment for the illness.
The former actor gave a rare interview, speaking with Star Wars expert Clayton Sandell during a video call appearance. Celebrating Star Wars day (May 4) last month, Sandell posted a video on Instagram revealing that Lloyd will ‘complete’ an inpatient treatment programme this summer.
“And he’s thrilled about moving forward,” the superfan expert revealed. “He’s buzzing about progressing with his life, which he says includes attempting to break into Esports.”
Sandell describes Lloyd as a ‘massive gamer’ following a conversation with Lloyd, whom he said appeared ‘fantastic’.
Getting ready to wrap up his treatment programme, the former Star Wars actor said he’s in the “right headspace about things.
“They ensure that you leave with some tools in your arsenal,” Lloyd said. “Recovery above all is a coping strategy, so that’s brilliant.. “And I’m able to absorb the treatment, therapy and socialising in a healthy, constructive way.”
Sandell asked the former actor about his ambition to enter Esports. “That’s what seemed most relevant given my background and having any future whatsoever,” Lloyd said. “So, I’m genuinely thrilled about that.”
For Jake Lloyd, landing the role of young Anakin Skywalker was a dream come true – but the massive part largely led to the end of the child star’s acting career.
Receiving a mixed reaction upon its release, Jake’s role in The Phantom Menace was one of the most severely criticised aspects of the film. To add insult to injury, the young star was also tormented at school.
He revealed to BlackBook in 2012: “Other children were really mean to me. They would make the sound of the light saber every time they saw me. It was totally mad.”
After leaving Hollywood, Jake reportedly enrolled at Columbia College in Chicago to study film and video. He led a relatively quiet life until 2015 when police were called to his mother’s house following a report of an assault. Jake’s mother, Lisa Lloyd revealed the former actor had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and told cops he’d been off his meds.
Elsewhere in the recently-shared interview, Jake said he was in the ‘top 500’ of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare when it initially launched. “I’m not really able to play as much as I should in treatment, but I’m in the top four of eliminations for Call of Duty now, and I use that as a resume,” he added.
Lloyd said he also plays some of the Star Wars games but doesn’t ‘really have the time’ to watch the films or shows.
And speaking to fans who have ‘stood by’ him over the years, he added: “I’d love to say thank you to everybody who’s able to be supportive. “For him, the next five years look like: “Medicine, therapy and not messing with somebody’s time.”