Jeff Garlin Contemplated Suicide Amid 'Dark Time' After 'The Goldbergs' Exit

Jeff Garlin revealed that he contemplated taking his own life during a period of intense personal struggle following his departure from the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs. The 64-year-old actor, who portrayed Murray Goldberg, described this time as a "dark time" during a recent episode of the "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast.

Garlin's exit from the show in 2021 came after a reported three-year human resources investigation into allegations of inappropriate verbal and physical conduct on set. He and Sony Pictures Television mutually decided to end his involvement with the series.

"I had a nervous breakdown," Garlin told podcast host Ted Danson. "And I was going to commit suicide." He recounted reaching out to his Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Susie Essman, telling her, "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."

Essman then contacted Garlin's ex-wife Marla, his girlfriend Sari, and his friend Brad Morris. Morris stayed with Garlin while arrangements were made for him to receive help. Garlin chose to go to a treatment facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, stating, "I went to Cincinnati because I was serious. I'm not going to some rehab in Beverly Hills."

During his treatment, Garlin underwent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a form of psychotherapy adapted for individuals who experience emotions intensely. He also received treatment for bipolar disorder, which had gone undiagnosed during his time on The Goldbergs.

Garlin stated that he is "just now" beginning to feel fully well, describing the recovery process as lengthy. "It was a dark thing," he said. "So it took me a while and I started doing AA, dialectical behavior therapy, continued my regular therapy, started boxing, getting myself physically healthy, doing things creatively that I found interesting, à la the book."

His book, "Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture...But I Did Anyway," was released in September. Garlin described the book's creation as a "rebirth thing" and now feels he is in a "content" place in his life.

He expressed his reasons for opening up about his mental health struggles, emphasizing that public figures experience darkness and bad days just like anyone else. "And I, Jeff Garlin, comedian, joyful gentleman, was going to end his life," he stated, expressing gratitude for the support of his family and friends.

In 2022, Garlin publicly shared his bipolar disorder diagnosis on Instagram, calling it "a motherf****r" and stating he was doing his best. He noted at the time it was the first time he had openly discussed his diagnosis.

Garlin's departure from The Goldbergs was announced in December 2021, after his initial appearance in 2013. His character was subsequently written out of the series by being killed off in the ninth season. In 2021, Garlin told Vanity Fair that he had not been fired from the show but acknowledged ongoing HR investigations into his on-set behavior over the preceding three years. He apologized to anyone offended by his words, stating he had never physically confronted anyone.

In 2023, Garlin's co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey commented that his exit from the show had been "a long time coming."

Following his departure from The Goldbergs, Garlin appeared in projects such as the 2022 film "Babylon" and episodes of "Never Have I Ever" in 2023. He most recently appeared in "Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History Of America" in 2026.