Chosen from over 3,000 actors, the young star landed the role of Anakin Skywalker, the podracing prodigy and future Jedi, in the 1999 film “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.”

Just ten years old at the time, he expressed excitement for the movie, calling it “a good film for the entire family” and noting how rare it was to find a PG-rated movie back then.

Reflecting on the fun of being a Jedi, he shared, “I get my own lightsaber,” though he admitted that the props were iron rods. The child star added that whenever he got his hands on one, someone would “go home with numb fingers” after a day of play.

He also described the movie as “amazing” and said he enjoyed it because “the film itself is entertaining.” “And it’s good when it’s entertaining. So, I think that’s what really matters,” he added.

Despite his promising start, this young actor’s time in Hollywood was brief. After “Star Wars,” he stepped away from the industry, leaving fans curious about his life beyond the spotlight.

In a rare 2012 interview, the former actor opened up about the relentless bullying he faced, which followed him into university. “Other children were really mean to me,” he shared, recounting how classmates would mock him by mimicking lightsaber sounds whenever they saw him.

Looking back on the intense media attention at the time, he added, “I had to do up to 60 interviews a day.” The struggles he faced after “Star Wars” led him to develop a strong dislike for the film, prompting him to destroy all his memorabilia and limit his role as Anakin to just a few video games.

Jake Lloyd’s challenges extended beyond school bullying, as his mother, Lisa Lloyd, noticed unsettling changes in high school. He became confused about reality, once telling her he wasn’t sure which “reality” he was in.

Concerned, she took him to a doctor who suspected bipolar disorder, but treatments offered little relief. Despite these obstacles, Jake graduated in 2007 and planned to attend Columbia College Chicago.

However, his time at Columbia College was brief and troubled. He began missing classes and grew increasingly paranoid, believing people were following him.

Jake also reported unsettling experiences, like seeing people with “black eyes” and conversing with TV personalities. Returning home in 2008, he was eventually diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia after numerous therapy and psychiatric sessions.

His mother, Lisa, even hired a lawyer to help when he was jailed in 2015, but Jake wouldn’t respond to her calls. “I tried to call him and he wouldn’t talk to me. Just flat out refused,” she shared, frustrated that jail staff would not administer his medication despite her pleas.

In addition, his struggles deepened with the loss of his younger sister, Madison Lloyd, who had also appeared as an extra in “The Phantom Menace.” Known for her ability to keep Jake grounded and encourage him to stay on track, Madison unexpectedly passed away in her sleep in 2018 at just 26 years old.

The impact on Jake was profound. “He just couldn’t handle it. He didn’t know how to process it,” Lisa divulged. Occasionally, he would simply express how much he missed her, but conversations rarely went beyond that.

Jake’s mental health took a severe turn in March 2023, leading to what his mother, Lisa, described as a full-blown psychotic break.

“There was a lot of yelling and screaming,” Lisa recalled. Stranded drivers called 911, and when officers arrived, Jake’s responses were nonsensical, described by Lisa as a “word salad.”

Instead of being taken to jail, he was admitted to a hospital, eventually transferring to a mental health rehabilitation facility for an 18-month program.

About 10 months into treatment, Lisa was encouraged by his progress, sharing, “He’s doing much better than I expected. He is relating to people better and becoming a little bit more social, which is really nice. It’s kind of like having more of the old Jake back.”

In October 2024, Jake made his first public appearance in over a year, prompting a range of reactions on social media. “What does Hollywood do to these kids?” one user asked.

Another user reflected, “What Hollywood did to young actors is a sad thing.” “He was such a cute little boy in his movies. I hope he is doing well,” added someone else, sharing a sentiment of empathy and hope for Jake’s well-being.