'Star Wars' Actor Seeks Mental Help: Are Fans Of George Lucas’ Film Responsible For Anakin Skywalker Actor’s Psychiatric Illness?

"Star Wars" actor Jake Lloyd, who appeared as the young Anakin Skywalker in "The Phantom Menace," is reportedly getting mental help for schizophrenia. Lloyd suffered a traumatic backlash from his role in "Star Wars" and questions are now raised if fans of the George Lucas film, who were unforgiving of "The Phantom Menace," may have contributed to the star's psychiatric illness.

Jail Time For Jake Lloyd

According to the New York Daily News, the "Star Wars" actor went behind bars in June last year for reckless driving. At that time, Jake Lloyd was also driving without a license. Lloyd was reportedly chased by the cops at over 100 miles per hour before the "Star Wars" actor's car eventually crashed into some trees.

TMZ reports that during his jail time, the authorities realized that Jake Lloyd is actually suffering from schizophrenia and decided that the "Star Wars" actor should be given mental health attention. Jake was then moved to a psychiatric facility where the "Star Wars" actor finally received mental health care.

Addressing His Mental Health

The "Star Wars" actor was imprisoned for almost 10 months before he was committed to a psychiatric facility for mental help. Although no release date has been set for Jake Lloyd, the "Star Wars" actor's mother confirmed that her son is responding to his mental health treatment. At the moment, his mother said that the "Star Wars" star is already exhibiting signs of improvement.

Salon points out that Jake Lloyd had a difficult time after appearing in "Star Wars." Fans who were critical of "The Phantom Menace" reportedly placed a large part of the blame on the actor, who played the young Anakin Skywalker.

The media outlet states that Jake Lloyd should be given sympathy rather than nasty comments by the public. Salon remarks that the public ridicule of celebrities, who are suffering from psychological illnesses, speaks volumes of the backward perspective that most people still have.

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A Traumatic Experience

An earlier Den Of Geek article reports that Jake Lloyd was bullied over his "Star Wars" role. "Other children were really mean to me," Lloyd revealed. "They would make the sound of the lightsaber every time they saw me."

The process of filming as well as the public reception of "The Phantom Menace" had reportedly been traumatic for Jake Lloyd. In the end, his role as Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars" was the last major film that Jake Lloyd did before he decided that he would never act again.