Jeff Garlin says he came close to taking his own life after being written off “The Goldbergs” in 2021, and he’s now speaking publicly about the breakdown, the phone calls he made that day, and the Cincinnati treatment facility that he credits with saving him.
Garlin, 64, made the revelations on Wednesday’s episode of the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast, hosted by Ted Danson. He was removed from the ABC sitcom following an investigation into allegations of misconduct and “abusive” behavior on set.
“I had a nervous breakdown, and I was going to commit suicide,” Garlin told Danson. He said he called his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-star Susie Essman that day to tell her what he planned to do.
“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,” Garlin said he told Essman.
Essman then called Garlin’s ex-wife, Marla, and his girlfriend, Sari Tracht, according to Garlin. The two women contacted one of his best friends, Brad Morris, who stayed with him while they searched for a treatment facility.
They narrowed it to two options: a facility in Beverly Hills that Garlin called a “private lush home,” and one in Cincinnati. He chose Cincinnati.
“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, dialectical behavior therapy. I was no longer suicidal. They helped get me to a point where I could stand.”
Garlin said his bipolar disorder went undiagnosed throughout his time on “The Goldbergs” and was only identified after treatment. He said it took five years to reach a point where he feels “really good,” crediting continued DBT, regular therapy, boxing, and creative work, including his new book, “Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture … But I Did Anyway,” released Sept. 15.
“I’m very content, and I’m very creatively fulfilled. I’m personally fulfilled. [I have] my wonderful girlfriend. I have great children. I have a great ex-wife. I have great friends. Like, it’s all good, man, but that was dark,” Garlin said.
After Garlin publicly revealed his bipolar diagnosis at age 60 in September 2022, Essman told Page Six he was “working hard to manage it.” But his former co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played his onscreen wife on “The Goldbergs,” has disputed any suggestion the diagnosis explains his conduct on set.
“Let’s just say I remember things very differently, as do the crew, the other actors, the writers and our executives,” McLendon-Covey said.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
