Jeff Garlin Recalls Suicidal Crisis After ‘The Goldbergs’ Exit

Jeff Garlin Details Suicidal Crisis Following The Goldbergs Exit

Comedian and actor Jeff Garlin revealed he experienced a severe mental health crisis and considered suicide following his contentious departure from the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs in December 2021. Speaking on the October 21 episode of Ted Danson’s podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, reported by Yahoo, the 64-year-old actor described reaching out to former Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Susie Essman to tell her he was in immediate danger.

The disclosures shed light on the intense personal fallout surrounding Garlin’s exit from the family comedy after more than eight seasons playing patriarch Murray Goldberg. While production company Sony Pictures Television and Garlin initially called the separation mutual, Yahoo reported that the decision followed an internal human resources investigation into allegations of inappropriate language and unwanted physical contact on set.

How Friends and Family Intervened in Cincinnati

During the podcast interview, Garlin recounted telling Essman that he would not survive the day. According to coverage from The Hollywood Reporter, Essman immediately contacted Garlin’s ex-wife, Marla Garlin, and his girlfriend, Sari Tracht. Those loved ones then enlisted close friend Brad Morris to monitor Garlin while they researched active treatment options.

Page Six noted that Garlin rejected a plush Beverly Hills facility, choosing instead a treatment center in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the middle of winter because he was serious about seeking help. At the facility, he underwent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help manage intense emotions and suicidal ideation. Garlin noted that the treatment successfully brought him out of immediate crisis.

Bipolar Diagnosis and Clashing On-Set Accounts

After leaving the series, Garlin learned he had bipolar disorder, receiving the diagnosis at age 59. He later attributed some of his unpredictable on-set behavior to the undiagnosed condition, telling interviewers that he swung between deep depression and mania. However, his account of the workplace environment has faced strong pushback from former colleagues.

His on-screen wife, Wendi McLendon-Covey, publicly disputed Garlin’s account of their time on the show. In social media comments cited by Us Weekly, McLendon-Covey wrote that she remembered things very differently, adding that the crew, actors, writers, and executives shared that perspective.

Garlin Uses Therapy and Photography to Maintain Stability

Reflecting on the years since his hospitalization, Garlin told Danson that he is finally feeling content and stable. His recovery regimen includes continued therapy, prescribed medication for bipolar disorder, regular boxing workouts, and creative pursuits, including Alcoholics Anonymous and photography.

Those creative efforts include his photography book, Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture…But I Did Anyway, published on September 15. The publisher, Rizzoli, organized a charity presale campaign tying a portion of book proceeds to Comedy Gives Back, an organization offering mental health and crisis support to the comedy community.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jeff Garlin’s Recovery

What treatment helped Jeff Garlin overcome his crisis?

Garlin checked into a specialized facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he underwent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and later maintained a regimen of regular psychotherapy, medication, and boxing for physical health.

When did Jeff Garlin receive his bipolar diagnosis?

Garlin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 59, several years after his departure from The Goldbergs in December 2021.

Which charity benefited from his recent book release?

A portion of the proceeds from signed copies of his book, Best Seat in the House, ordered through Rizzoli Bookstore between April 20 and May 23, went to Comedy Gives Back.