Jeff Garlin Reveals He Considered Suicide After Tumultuous Exit From The Goldbergs

Actor Jeff Garlin has revealed that he considered suicide following his tumultuous departure from the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs. The comedian spoke candidly about his mental health struggles during an appearance on Ted Danson’s podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name.

Jeff Garlin left The Goldbergs in December 2021 after starring as patriarch Murray Goldberg for more than eight seasons. His departure came as a mutual decision between the actor and production company Sony Pictures Television during the ninth season of the show. The exit followed human resources investigations and a report by Vanity Fair regarding an alleged pattern of verbal and physical conduct on the set of the network sitcom.

At the time of his departure, the actor defended his approach to comedy in an interview with Vanity Fair, stating that he had a specific process for how he liked to be funny in a scene. While production officials viewed his behavior as making for an unsafe workspace, Jeff Garlin maintained that he did not understand those characterizations and described himself as always being a kind and thoughtful person.

Following the high-profile exit, Jeff Garlin experienced a severe mental health decline. The actor shared that he suffered a nervous breakdown and reached a point where he intended to end his life. In a critical moment, he contacted his Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Susie Essman to alert her of his plans, telling her that he would be dead by noon that day.

Susie Essman immediately took action upon receiving the message. She contacted Jeff Garlin’s ex-wife Marla, his girlfriend Sari, and his friend Brad Morris. Brad Morris subsequently watched over the actor while friends and family members searched for an appropriate treatment facility to address his urgent mental health crisis.

Jeff Garlin ultimately checked into a rehabilitation facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he underwent dialectical behavior therapy. He credited the treatment with helping him overcome his immediate suicidal ideation and getting him to a place where he could begin to stand on his own again. The actor also noted that a combination of ongoing therapy and medication for bipolar disorder eventually helped him feel whole again over time.

Reflecting on his journey, Jeff Garlin stated that he is now feeling really good and very content. He explained that he chose to share his deeply personal mental health struggles to raise awareness and remind people that performers can experience profound darkness. Expressing gratitude for his support system, the comedian emphasized the importance of friends, family, and the supportive people who helped him through his darkest moments.

Today, Jeff Garlin continues to be open about his path to recovery as he looks forward. By sharing his experience with depression and crisis intervention, the actor hopes to encourage others in similar situations to reach out for the help they need.