Jeff Garlin’s Bipolar Diagnosis and Goldbergs Exit

Jeff Garlin’s bipolar diagnosis has become central to his account of the difficult final years he spent on The Goldbergs. Nearly five years after complaints about his workplace behaviour and a human resources investigation preceded his departure, the actor says he now understands how badly he treated some people around him.

Speaking on the Sept. 18 episode of The Daily Beast’s Obsessed podcast, Garlin reflected on his relationship with Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played his on-screen wife on the ABC sitcom.

“I actually empathise with her because, at the time, I was undiagnosed bipolar,” Garlin said. “I was miserable on the show and I was miserable with my performance.”

According to Garlin, McLendon-Covey repeatedly tried to reassure him about his work. He did not accept the praise, and the relationship deteriorated as his unhappiness grew.

“She was always trying to tell me, ‘Hey, you’re really great on the show.’ I didn’t believe her,” he said. “I just got to the point where I had to quit, and she was very resentful.”

What happened before Garlin left The Goldbergs?

Garlin starred as Murray Goldberg for nine seasons before leaving the series in late 2021. His exit followed complaints about his conduct on set and an internal HR investigation.

The 64-year-old acknowledged that his departure was “a bit dramatic,” while stressing that he could speak only about his own responsibility. He said he received his bipolar diagnosis towards the end of his time on the show.

Garlin described his undiagnosed behaviour as shifting between severe withdrawal, manic energy and hostility.

“Being bipolar, I was either one of three things,” he said. “Dark, dark, dark, dark, didn’t talk and look at anyone. Happy to the point of mania, never turning off my thing. Or mean. Really, really mean.”

His character did not return. The premiere of the show’s 10th and final season confirmed that Murray Goldberg had died, resolving the casting problem with all the subtlety available after a high-profile workplace dispute.

Garlin said he believes McLendon-Covey remained “resentful and angry” after his exit. Still, he insisted that he does not hold the same feelings towards her.

“If she wanted to continue the resentment, that’s her,” he said. “To me, I don’t have resentment towards her even saying things about me.”

He also called her “one of the greatest actors” he had worked with and said his appreciation for her remained intact.

How did Wendi McLendon-Covey respond?

McLendon-Covey’s response suggested that the former colleagues have not arrived at a shared version of events.

After The Daily Beast posted Garlin’s comments on Instagram on Sept. 20, the Bridesmaids actor first replied, “Huh.” She then added: “Let’s just say I remember things very differently.”

McLendon-Covey also suggested that other people who worked on The Goldbergs would support her recollection. She did not provide further details in the comments.

Her reaction was consistent with remarks she made in 2023, when she described Garlin’s departure as “a long time coming.” At the time, she indicated that the situation behind the scenes had been difficult before he left.

Representatives for Garlin and McLendon-Covey were contacted for additional comment, but neither had responded when the report was published.

How is Garlin managing bipolar disorder now?

Garlin said he is treating his condition with medication and dialectical behaviour therapy, a form of therapy focused on emotional regulation, distress tolerance and behaviour patterns.

He also expressed remorse for how he acted before receiving the diagnosis. His explanation places his conduct in the context of an untreated mental health condition, although McLendon-Covey’s response makes clear that context has not produced agreement, much less closure.

“I have regrets,” Garlin said. “Not a lot of them I could have controlled, but I still have regrets on a lot of my behaviour in terms of being a jerk.”

The comedian, also known for Curb Your Enthusiasm, said he now considers himself “a different person,” or at least a “more enlightened” one. That assessment remains his own. His former colleague, evidently, is keeping a separate set of notes.