‘Thoughts with him’: Internet prays for Jake Lloyd as 'Star Wars' child star's mom sheds light on his mental health amid schizophrenia struggles

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ will soon mark its 25th anniversary, and the fans of the Sci-fi are already in celebration mode. Many cast members of the movie have given new interviews and it has also been reported that the 1999 release will again be launched in theatres.

However, amid all this, one vital cast member from the movie is missing -- Jake Lloyd, who worked as a child actor and played the role of young Anakin Skywalker in the movie.

What happened to Jake Lloyd?

Jake Lloyd's mother reportedly revealed why he was absent from the limelight. Lisa Lloyd told Scripps News that her son has been battling paranoid schizophrenia.

She disclosed, “Jake started having some trouble in high school. He started talking about ‘realities.’”

“He didn't know if he was in this reality, or a different reality. I didn't really know exactly what to say to that,” Lisa noted.

Jake Lloyd began ‘hearing voices’

Lisa Lloyd further explained that somehow, her son Jake completed school and got admitted to Columbia College Chicago for further studies.

However, he could not complete the course. His mother said, “He missed a lot of classes, and he was telling me that people were following him,” before adding, “He didn't tell us he was hearing voices at the time. But he was.”

Lisa also revealed that after multiple appointments with therapists and psychiatrists, it was eventually found that Jake has paranoid schizophrenia.

The mother reportedly said, “When they finally told him, it totally threw him off into an even worse depression. It was really hard.”

Jake Lloyd’s sister Madison’s death broke him

Jake Lloyd reportedly suffered more after he lost his younger sister in 2018 due to natural causes.

“He just couldn't handle it. He didn't know how to process it. Sometimes he would just start saying that he really missed Madison. That's about as much of a conversation as we'd have about it,” Lisa said about his son.

However, after many difficulties and breakdowns, Jake has finally reportedly been getting the right care at a mental health rehabilitation facility.

Jake Lloyd’s ‘doing much better’ now, his mom Lisa said

Jake Lloyd's mother Lisa stated, “He’s doing much better than I expected,” as she asserted, “We're in a lot better place. And we do have a lot of things to look forward to.”

Lisa also dismissed the speculations that Jake’s mental health issues began after ‘Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ got negative reactions.

“It would have happened anyway. I believe that it was genetic. And his psychiatrist also agrees that Jake was going to become schizophrenic,” she added.

Internet sends prayers for Jake Lloyd

Meanwhile, several people on social media have expressed their thoughts over Jake Lloyd's mental health struggles and sent prayers and well wishes for him.

A Facebook user commented, "Thoughts with him ❤️ he is the chosen one."

Another user shared, "Dude had a rough life. It’d be nice for him to get his flowers similarly to Hayden. Maybe a recast or something. Only if he wanted it, of course."

The third one shared, "Praying for him."

The fourth user added, "LBH, we all loved the Phantom Menace when it came out, even if we’re critical about it today. Jake did great."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.