Actor Joe Manganiello has revealed the details of a secret, decade-long health battle with what he described as a "deadly mystery illness." Manganiello shared in an Instagram video that he "suffered in silence" while seeking treatment from various doctors who were unable to diagnose his condition.
He detailed how treatments involving "high-powered biological drugs" worsened his symptoms and led to severe side effects that persisted for years. The actor also underwent significant surgical procedures that he stated "mutilated parts of my body" and left him extremely weak at times.
"All their attempts to treat it with high-powered biological drugs only exacerbated my symptoms and then unlocked a host of brutal side effects that winded up plaguing me for years," Manganiello said. "And then in attempts to buy myself time, I underwent very serious operations and procedures that mutilated parts of my body and left me so weak at times that I couldn’t stand up or walk."
For extended periods, Manganiello, 49, was heavily medicated while enduring chronic pain. His forthcoming memoir, "Bloodlines," set to be released on Oct. 13, is expected to delve into his 10-year quest for answers and his family history. The book's synopsis indicates he dealt with "a cascade of autoimmune-related illnesses" affecting his thyroid, digestive system, skin, lungs, and eyes.
Over seven years, his health struggles included chronic pain, a life-saving organ amputation, and an existential crisis. Facing a lack of clear explanations from medical professionals, Manganiello turned to unconventional and alternative treatments. These included working with shamans, engaging in pagan rituals, studying ancient myths, and exploring his family's historical records. He also conducted extensive genealogical research, discovering ancestors who survived the Armenian genocide and others who lived with chronic illnesses.
Manganiello suggested that his health issues might not have been random and that healing required a holistic alignment of his mind, body, and spirit, prompting him to consider "radical and unorthodox techniques and ideas that lie beyond the boundaries of western medicine."
He concluded with a message of hope for others experiencing similar suffering. Manganiello was previously married to actress Sofía Vergara, from whom he separated in 2024. He is currently engaged to actress Caitlin O’Connor.