Jeff Garlin Reveals Suicidal Crisis and Bipolar Disorder Battle Following 'The Goldbergs' Exit

Jeff Garlin has spoken openly about a severe mental health crisis that led him to plan his own suicide following his departure from the ABC sitcom "The Goldbergs." The comedian, who exited the show in 2021 amid allegations of misconduct, detailed his struggles with bipolar disorder and the path to recovery in a recent interview.

During an appearance on SiriusXM's "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," Garlin recounted a particularly dark period. "I had a nervous breakdown, and I was going to commit suicide," he said. He revealed that he informed a loved one of his specific plan, stating, "at noon today I will be dead. I'm letting you know I will be dead."

Garlin's departure from "The Goldbergs" was preceded by a contentious incident involving a promotional scene. He described a situation where he was asked to film a scene that included a Pizza Hut commercial without prior knowledge. When producers explained the financial necessity for the advertisement, Garlin questioned the corporation's ability to fund such initiatives and refused to participate in the promotional aspect, insisting his character leave the scene before the product placement occurred.

Following this confrontation, Garlin left the set, believing he would not return. However, a producer later approached him at home, inquiring what it would take for him to come back. Garlin requested a significant pay raise and a drastically reduced schedule of only one workday per week. To his surprise, the producers agreed.

This arrangement, however, led to resentment from some castmates, a fact Garlin admitted he was initially unaware of due to his own struggles. "I had resentment from my castmates, not as much the crew, but there was great resentment from some of them," he stated. "I didn't know it at the time, though. I was naive. I didn't know they knew anything about my anything."

As the turmoil continued, Garlin's mental health deteriorated. After communicating his suicidal intentions to a friend, a support network including his ex-wife and girlfriend mobilized. They arranged for him to seek intensive treatment in Cincinnati, where he underwent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

"I went to Cincinnati because I was serious," Garlin explained. He also credited medication for his bipolar disorder, Alcoholics Anonymous, regular counseling, boxing, and physical fitness with aiding his recovery. Garlin indicated that he is only now, about five years later, beginning to feel consistently well.

Garlin's exit from "The Goldbergs" concluded his involvement with the show during its ninth season. He previously described experiencing periods of mania and inexplicable apologies, along with episodes of profound emotional darkness, during his time on the series.