After allegations of misconduct and "abusive" behavior on the set of the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs, Jeff Garlin was written off the show in 2021. The actor and comedian said he contemplated suicide after his highly publicized exit.
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Jeff Garlin Said He Had a "Nervous Breakdown"
The 64-year-old Garlin opened up about his exit from The Goldbergs and what followed on a recent episode of the podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
"I had a nervous breakdown, and I was going to commit suicide," Garlin shared with host Ted Danson, explaining that he told his friend and Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Susie Essman abut his intentions.
"I hate when people don't reach out, but at noon today, I will be dead. I'm letting you know I will be dead," he told her.
Garlin said he then reached out to his ex-wife and girlfriend to let them know. They then called Brad Morris, whom Garlin called "one of his best friends." Morris watched the actor while his ex-wife and girlfriend looked for a place where Garlin could receive mental health treatment.
"The Goldbergs" Star Was "Serious" About Getting Help
Garlin had a choice between two facilities: a "private lush home" in Beverly Hills and another in Cincinnati. He chose the one in Ohio because it was "the middle of winter," and he said he was "serious" about getting help.
"I'm not going to some f***ing rehab in Beverly Hills," Garlin said. "I went to Cincinnati in the middle of winter, and I learned this thing called DBT, dialectic[al] behavior therapy. I was no longer suicidal. They helped get me to a point where I could stand."
Garlin was then diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After therapy and treatment, he said that he began to feel "kind of whole." He also wrote a book and took up boxing to improve his health. The actor says that after five years, he's "feeling really good."
He said, "I'm very content, and I'm very creatively fulfilled. I'm personally fulfilled."
He added, "[I have] my wonderful girlfriend. I have great children. I have a great ex-wife... Like, it's all good, man, but that was dark."
You can watch Garlin's interview below.
