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- What led to Garlin’s departure from The Goldbergs
- The crisis he shared on the podcast
- Why he chose treatment outside Los Angeles
- Diagnosis, recovery and daily practices
- Creative output and recent projects
- Responses from former co-workers and differing memories
- How friends intervened during his lowest moment
- Support and crisis resources
Jeff Garlin says the end of his run on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs pushed him to a dark place, and he has now detailed a near-fatal crisis and the steps he took to rebuild his life. The comic recounted his struggle on the podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, describing how a public fallout and an undiagnosed mental health condition led him to seek intensive treatment and, eventually, a return to creative work.
What led to Garlin’s departure from The Goldbergs
Garlin, 64, was written out of The Goldbergs in 2021 after an internal probe into on-set complaints. The investigation cited allegations of misconduct and abrasive behavior toward colleagues.
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The exit altered his professional standing and triggered intense personal strain.
The crisis he shared on the podcast
On the episode with host Ted Danson, Garlin described reaching a point where he seriously planned to end his life. He said he called close friends to tell them he wouldn’t be alive past noon that day.
He reached out to comedian Susie Essman, who then contacted his ex-wife and his partner. A longtime friend, actor Brad Morris, was asked to check on him. That intervention led to searching for care options and ultimately to inpatient treatment.
Why he chose treatment outside Los Angeles
Garlin says he and his circle considered two very different facilities. One was a private center in Beverly Hills; the other was a clinic in Cincinnati. He chose Cincinnati because he wanted serious, uninterrupted help away from his usual scene.
At the Cincinnati program, he learned dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, which he credits with stopping his suicidal impulses and giving him practical tools to cope.
Treatment approaches that helped
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation
- Ongoing individual psychotherapy
- Structured inpatient care to stabilize crisis symptoms
- Lifestyle changes, including exercise and creative work
Diagnosis, recovery and daily practices
Garlin later disclosed that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 60, after years of undiagnosed symptoms while he worked on television. With diagnosis and treatment, he says he has seen steady improvement.
He continued DBT and regular therapy, took up boxing to boost his physical health, and committed to creative projects that gave him purpose.
Creative output and recent projects
Part of Garlin’s recovery included writing. His book, Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture … But I Did Anyway, was published on Sept. 15.
He describes feeling more stable and creatively fulfilled now, with family and friends playing key roles in his support network.
Responses from former co-workers and differing memories
Not all of Garlin’s former colleagues have framed the events the same way. Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played his on-screen wife, said she remembers interactions differently and indicated that crew and other cast members have alternate perspectives on his time on set.
The divergence highlights how workplace disputes, mental health, and public reputation can be interpreted through very different lenses.
How friends intervened during his lowest moment
- He informed a friend that he planned to die that day.
- That friend relayed the message to close contacts.
- Trusted companions located treatment options and accompanied him through the admission process.
The quick action of friends and family was central to getting him professional help.
Support and crisis resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate help. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to reach crisis support. Local services and emergency responders can provide urgent assistance outside the U.S.
