Jeff Garlin says he contemplated taking his own life amid abrupt exit from The Goldbergs as he recalls 'dark time'

Jeff Garlin revealed that he contemplated taking his own life amid his tumultuous departure from The Goldbergs as he got candid about the 'dark time' in his life. 

The 64-year-old actor, who had played the character of Murray Goldberg on the ABC sitcom, opened up about the topic during Wednesday's episode of the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast. 

The comedian left The Goldbergs in 2021 following a reported three-year HR investigation into his alleged inappropriate 'verbal and physical conduct' on set. 

His exit from the series had been a 'mutual decision' between Garlin and Sony Pictures Television. 

'I had a nervous breakdown,' the actor told host Ted Danson. 'And I was going to commit suicide.' 

At the time, Garlin recalled reaching out to his Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star Susie Essman. 

'I reached out to Susie, and I said, "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."' 

He added, 'And she called [ex-wife] Marla, and she called [girlfriend] Sari, and my friend, Brad Morris. My girlfriend and my ex-wife called him.'

'He's one of my best friends,' Garlin continued, before sharing that Morris 'watched me while they were looking for a place for me to go.' 

The actor chose to get help for his mental health struggles in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

'I went to Cincinnati because I was serious. I'm not going to some rehab in Beverly Hills. F*** that, man.'

During his time at the rehab facility, Garlin explained that he underwent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). 

DBT 'is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy)' and is 'specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely,' per Cleveland Clinic. 

He also received treatment for bipolar disorder, which had gone undiagnosed while filming The Goldbergs. 

Five years later, Garlin expressed that he was 'just now' starting to feel better as he explained it took a long time for him to feel 'whole' again. 

'I’m just now feeling really good. Just now. Maybe the book coming out, but around now, really. It was a dark thing,' the star further expressed. 

'So it took me a while and I started doing AA, dialectical behavior therapy, continued my regular therapy, started boxing, getting myself physically healthy, doing things creatively that I found interesting, à la the book.' 

Garlin recently released his book Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture...But I Did Anyway on September 15. 

He described bringing the book to life as 'a rebirth thing.' 

Garlin said that he has now reached a 'content' point in his life and shared why he was opening up about his mental health struggles. 

'The point is…for people who do what we do, we get just as dark as you do. We have bad days just like you do.'

The star added, 'And I, Jeff Garlin, comedian, joyful gentleman, was going to end his life.' He then sent gratitude to his family and friends who 'have been so supportive of me.'

Daily Mail has reached out to a rep of Garlin for comment, but has yet to hear back.

In 2022, the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor publicly revealed his bipolar disorder diagnosis. 

'Bipolar is a motherf****er. Sometimes it's just too much to deal with. I'm doing the best I can,' he shared to Instagram at the time. 

Garlin said that it was 'the first time that I've opened up about' his diagnosis, before adding the hashtag '#bipolar.'

In December 2021, it was announced Garlin had exited The Goldbergs after first appearing on the sitcom in 2013. Following the departure, his character was ultimately killed off in the ninth season.

That same year, the actor told Vanity Fair, 'No, I was not fired from The Goldbergs. I have not been fired from The Goldbergs.' 

He also told the outlet, 'There has been an HR investigation on me the past three years. HR has come to me three years in a row for my behavior on set.' 

Garlin added that 'as a comedian, if somebody is offended by what I say I, all I can say is, I'm sorry. Okay? 

'I have never physically come at anyone, for any reason, so that I find terribly confusing and untrue...' 

In 2023, his co-star Wendi McLendon-Covey said his exit from the show had been 'a long time coming.'  

After leaving The Goldbergs, Garlin starred in other projects such as the 2022 movie Babylon and episodes of Never Have I Ever in 2023. 

Most recently, he appeared in Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History Of America (2026). 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, you can also visit 988lifeline.org. You can also call, text or chat with a counselor by texting 988.