Jeff Garlin says his ‘Goldbergs’ departure brought him to a suicidal crisis

Jeff Garlin said his departure from “The Goldbergs” left him contemplating suicide, recounting the crisis during an appearance on the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast. He told host Ted Danson that he had experienced a nervous breakdown and was going to commit suicide. The accounts describe a personal crisis following his exit from the ABC sitcom, not a claim that he attempted suicide. Garlin said he reached out to Susie Essman, his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-star. He recalled telling her he would be dead by noon. Garlin said Essman then contacted his ex-wife, Marla, and his girlfriend, Sari; he said their help enabled him to reach a point where he could stand. The News International also names his friend Brad Morris among those Essman contacted. Garlin left “The Goldbergs” in 2021. The Daily Mail says the departure followed a reported three-year human-resources investigation into alleged inappropriate verbal and physical conduct on set. That account characterizes the conduct as alleged; it does not report a finding that established the allegations. Page Six likewise connects his departure to an investigation into allegations of misconduct and abusive behavior, while the podcast comments focus on the emotional toll he says followed his exit. The outlets emphasize different aspects of the episode. Page Six gives detail about Garlin’s recovery and later creative work. The Daily Mail foregrounds the reported investigation and describes Garlin as 64; The News International identifies the podcast episode as airing Wednesday, October 21, and adds Morris to the list of people contacted. Yahoo’s headline also links Garlin’s suicide thoughts to his firing, while TV Insider’s headline describes a dark confession about his final days on the sitcom. Those headlines offer corroboration of the broad subject, not additional detail about the conversation. Garlin said he continued dialectical behavior therapy and regular therapy after the crisis, took up boxing to improve his physical health, and pursued creative projects. Page Six reports that he described the support he received as helping him regain the ability to stand. He also discussed writing his book, “Best Seat in the House: Moments No One Asked Me to Capture … But I Did Anyway.”

The book was released September 15, according to Page Six and the Daily Mail. The coverage places Garlin’s podcast discussion alongside that release and his account of continuing treatment and creative work. His description of the episode was stark: he called it “dark,” while saying that he had received help from people close to him.