Joe Manganiello talks about his battle with an autoimmune disease
17 october 2026 в 12:37
Joe Manganiello spoke about his difficult seven-year health battle that nearly cost him his life. The actor shared details of his undiagnosed autoimmune disease in his debut memoir «Bloodlines», - released in October 2026.
In the book, Manganiello describes how in 2016, while filming in Wilmington, North Carolina, he lost consciousness and required emergency surgery to remove his entire colon. According to him, had the surgery not been performed, he could have died from sepsis. Although the actor never received an official diagnosis, he claims that he currently experiences no symptoms and no longer takes medication.
Manganiello’s symptoms began in 2016, shortly after his wedding to Sofia Vergara in 2015. In the book, he writes that his «entire colon turned to pus and was on the verge of bursting». As a result of the surgery, doctors created a stoma connecting his small intestine to an external bag.
In his book, Manganiello also shares details about how his health rapidly deteriorated, leading to multiple autoimmune diseases. He endured chronic pain and a long struggle for survival while doctors could not provide clear answers about his condition. The actor noted that he cannot believe he is still alive and added that autoimmune diseases are often a «dumping ground» for doctors' confusion.
Manganiello also posted photos from the hospital on Instagram, where he talked about his weight loss after the surgery—he lost 60 pounds in two weeks. In his memoir, he mentions using a stoma bag and shares a humorous incident when he had to change the bag in an airplane restroom during a flight to London.
Additionally, in the book, the actor touches on his marriage to Vergara, which ended in separation in 2023 and divorce in 2024. He claims that their relationship became «absolutely devoid of emotion» during his illness and that Vergara refused to hug him when he asked for support. Nevertheless, he also acknowledged that it was she who made the «harsh but vital decision» to proceed with the surgery that saved his life.
In the book, Manganiello describes how in 2016, while filming in Wilmington, North Carolina, he lost consciousness and required emergency surgery to remove his entire colon. According to him, had the surgery not been performed, he could have died from sepsis. Although the actor never received an official diagnosis, he claims that he currently experiences no symptoms and no longer takes medication.
Manganiello’s symptoms began in 2016, shortly after his wedding to Sofia Vergara in 2015. In the book, he writes that his «entire colon turned to pus and was on the verge of bursting». As a result of the surgery, doctors created a stoma connecting his small intestine to an external bag.
In his book, Manganiello also shares details about how his health rapidly deteriorated, leading to multiple autoimmune diseases. He endured chronic pain and a long struggle for survival while doctors could not provide clear answers about his condition. The actor noted that he cannot believe he is still alive and added that autoimmune diseases are often a «dumping ground» for doctors' confusion.
Manganiello also posted photos from the hospital on Instagram, where he talked about his weight loss after the surgery—he lost 60 pounds in two weeks. In his memoir, he mentions using a stoma bag and shares a humorous incident when he had to change the bag in an airplane restroom during a flight to London.
Additionally, in the book, the actor touches on his marriage to Vergara, which ended in separation in 2023 and divorce in 2024. He claims that their relationship became «absolutely devoid of emotion» during his illness and that Vergara refused to hug him when he asked for support. Nevertheless, he also acknowledged that it was she who made the «harsh but vital decision» to proceed with the surgery that saved his life.
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
