Mother Of "Star Wars" Child Actor Details His Mental Health Struggles

[TTL News 308]

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May will mark 25 years since "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" first lit up movie screens.

Many fans are already celebrating the silver anniversary, thanks to a fresh round of published interviews with cast members, a new poster and news the film will soon be returning to theaters.

Noticeably absent from the recent coverage, however, is one key member of "The Phantom Menace" cast: Jake Lloyd.

The child actor, chosen over 3,000 others to play podracing phenom and Jedi-to-be Anakin Skywalker in the George Lucas space opera, turned 35 last week. Since the movie, Lloyd has been mostly out of the spotlight, his life largely a mystery to his devout fans.

In an exclusive interview with Scripps News, his mother, Lisa Lloyd, provided a glimpse into Jake’s personal saga in the years since appearing in that galaxy far, far away — sharing her son’s turbulent struggle with mental illness, family tragedy and the reasons she’s more hopeful today than she’s been in years.

She also wanted to set the record straight about what her son really thinks about "Star Wars."

Lisa noted that her son is aware that she is speaking out to tell his story.  

 

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