Celebrities Who Were Hospitalized In 2023
This article discusses graphic injuries, medical trauma, and mental illness.
While they often seem larger than life and untouchable, celebrities of all ages from around the world sometimes need intensive care. It can happen to anyone anytime and for various reasons, including cancer treatments, an automobile accident, or a simple slip and fall. Of course, there are unusual examples like Jeremy Renner's mano-a-machino with a snowplow or Jay Leno's penchant for dangerously wrecking whatever he's driving. Whatever the cause for hospitalization, fans tend to feel a celebrity's pain when they post a hospital selfie on their Instagram.
In 2023, a wide variety of celebrities including reality stars, Hollywood actors, athletes, and dance superstars have all required hospitalization. Whether they entertain us on the small screen, the silver screen, practice politics, or work in another medium, the celebrities here are all beloved by their fans – and so we're sure they were likely inundated with the sort of care packages, love-heart stuffed animals, and Get Well Soon cards that they all deserved. These are the celebrities who spent some time in the hospital in 2023.
Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner may play a superhero in the MCU, but in real life, he's just a man ... a man who literally put his life on the line to save his nephew, so maybe he's a superhero in real life. On January 1, 2023, Renner was outside with his nephew when his Pistenbully snow groomer slid sideways on its track. According to CNN, Renner had just used the 14,000-pound vehicle to pull his nephew's truck out of the snow when it began to slide. He exited the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, possibly due to a mechanical problem.
Renner saw that the Pistenbully was moving toward his nephew and attempted to get back into the cab to regain control. To do so, he stepped onto the vehicle's track and was pulled beneath it, crushing the 52-year-old actor. The right side of Renner's chest collapsed, and his upper torso was crushed, resulting in difficulty breathing. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was in critical condition after breaking more than 30 bones.
Renner was relatively quick in revealing his tragic mishap. He shared a pic from his hospital bed on Instagram, followed by updates, in which he wrote, "These 30-plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens." The actor spent just shy of two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment. In April, Renner returned to the public eye, appearing with a cane at the "Rennervations" premiere in Reno, Nevada.
Damar Hamlin
On January 2, 2023, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a tackle during "Monday Night Football," and everything went wrong. Hamlin hit the other player in such a way that he went into immediate cardiac arrest, requiring CPR and defibrillation right there on the field. Hamlin appeared to have died as the world watched, and according to the man himself, he did die on live TV. Fortunately, the condition was only temporary, and revival efforts worked — he was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
Hamlin was transferred to a hospital in Buffalo, New York, and after nine days, he was able to return home to rehabilitate. The NFL star's mid-game heart attack shocked pretty much everyone, including the 24-year-old player, but doctors eventually revealed what happened. According to Hamlin, he was diagnosed with commotio cordis, elaborating, per New York Post, "It's a direct blow at a specific point in your heartbeat that causes cardiac arrest. Five to seven seconds later, you fall out, and that's pretty much what everybody's seen January 2 of this year. Commotio cordis is the leading cause of death in youth athletes across all sports, so that's something that I will personally be taking a step in to make a change"
Following his recovery, Hamlin had every intention of returning to the NFL. He was finally medically cleared to do so in mid-April, more than three and a half months following the incident.
Michael Flatley
Michael Flatley made a name for himself in the 1990s as the "Lord of Dance," thanks to his award-winning Irish dance shows, "Riverdance," "Lord of the Dance," and others. He's performed all over the world in front of tens of millions of adoring fans — but at a cost. In 2016, Flatley had to retire from performing due to knee, foot, groin, hamstring, and spinal pain. His final performance of "Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games" came that year in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Ceasar's Palace on St. Patrick's Day.
Unfortunately for Flatley, his physical injuries wouldn't be the only medical problem he had to deal with during his retirement. On January 11, 2023, Flatley's Twitter feed revealed that he had undergone surgery to treat "an aggressive form of cancer." It's unclear what type of cancer afflicted Flatley, though the dancing superstar revealed on January 18 that he was healing. He took to Instagram to share a picture of himself with a pumped fist, along with the caption, "Thank you to everyone around the world for your love and prayers. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I have been released from hospital and am on the mend."
This was the second known cancer treatment Flatley has undergone in recent years. In 2003, he was treated for malignant melanoma and was hospitalized for several days at the time. Fortunately, he came out of that event with a cancer-free bill of health, and Flatley is hopeful he'll do the same once more.
Dr. Jill Biden
Dr. Jill Biden made headlines when a routine skin cancer screening revealed some areas of concern. The First Lady was promptly treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for an outpatient procedure a week later, on January 11, 2023. Dr. Biden was in the hospital for a Mohs surgery to remove what turned out to be a cancerous basal cell carcinoma above her right eye.
During the pre-operative checkup, doctors noticed another area of concern on the First Lady's chest. President Joe Biden was with his wife for her procedure but had to return to work at the White House while Dr. Biden was undergoing additional treatment at the hospital. Her scheduled outpatient procedure ended up being a full day of hospitalization. Doctors identified a lesion on her chest and removed what was confirmed to be another basal cell carcinoma — the most common form of skin cancer — but that wasn't the end of it.
During the procedure, another lesion was spotted on Dr. Biden's left eyelid, which was also removed and sent for study — it was later determined to be a non-cancerous growth. She remained at the hospital throughout much of the day, spending around nine hours undergoing treatment and observation. Dr. Biden's press secretary told AP that the First Lady had experienced "some facial swelling and bruising" but was in "good spirits." Dr. Biden was hospitalized and released on the same day and has since used her platform to advocate for regular cancer screenings.
Jay Leno
You may recall hearing that Jay Leno was severely burned and hospitalized in late-2022. Unfortunately for the comedian, that wouldn't be the last time he spent time in the hospital. On January 17, 2023, Leno was in a motorcycle crash that sent him right back to the hospital — an accident he revealed while discussing his recovery. During an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he was asked how he was doing after that accident, and Leno said, "That was the first accident." He then explained how he'd gotten into another accident the week prior, saying, "Just last week, I got knocked off my motorcycle. So I've got a broken collarbone. I've got two broken ribs. I've got two cracked kneecaps. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm working this weekend, so I'm okay." Speaking to The New York Times, he added, "Luckily, I'm only 72. If I'd been an older man, this could have been really serious."
Despite the numerous injuries, Leno could laugh about the accident, and he was indeed back at work, having announced a return to the Las Vegas Strip for March 2023. As he explained to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the nature of Leno's motorcycle accident was harrowing. It occurred when he cut through a parking lot, only to hit a wire some guy had strung across the location, without any warning signs. "So, you know, I didn't see it until it was too late," he said. "It just clotheslined me and, boom — knocked me off the bike."
Chrishell Stause
Chrishell Stause has spent her career in front of the camera, first via acting in hit the soap operas "All My Children" and "Days of Our Lives." These days, she's traded her work on soaps with work in reality television, gaining a great deal of attention from her time on Netflix's "Selling Sunset," where she sells gorgeous real estate. She's also competed in "Dancing with the Stars" and appeared in various television shows and movies. One thing Stause has in spades is a substantial social media following, boasting some 3.6 million followers on Instagram as of early 2023.
On February 9, 2023, Stause stunned fans when she posted a since-deleted hospital selfie on her Instagram. In the post, the "Selling Sunset" star revealed she'd been hospitalized, writing, "Had a minor surgery today and had a large ovarian cyst removed." While she didn't reveal many details about her condition, Stause followed up, indicating she was feeling better and was being cared for by her partner, G Flip, though it's unclear how long she was hospitalized during her procedure and recovery.
The star also urged her followers to keep an eye on any abnormal health conditions and get a checkup to stay healthy, writing, "If you have bad unexplained cramps, don't ignore it!" She later appeared on "E! News" following her surgery and updated her status, explaining she was on the mend and would be "good as new" once her stitches were removed. As of this writing, she seemed to be fully recovered.
Senator John Fetterman
Senator John Fetterman had a challenging campaign for his seat, having had a debilitating stroke only four days before the 2022 Democratic primary election in Pennsylvania. He won the primary, beating his Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz in the general election. Fetterman was sworn in, but his health remained problematic. On February 10, 2023, the Senator was checked into a hospital after feeling lightheaded during a Senate retreat in Washington, D.C.
Fortunately, Fetterman showed no signs of an additional stroke but spent another night at the hospital. While he appeared physically well, the implantation of a pacemaker and defibrillator following his stroke took a psychological toll. The following day, on February 12, Fetterman checked himself into the hospital for mental health treatment due to depression. He told "CBS Sunday Morning" that he stopped eating and felt indifferent about life, which made it difficult for him to get out of bed in the morning.
He checked into the hospital to combat these issues, where he remained for 44 days. One of Senator Fetterman's aides spoke out about his treatment, noting he was a celebrity patient. "It shouldn't be something that only a senator may get," they told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "It shouldn't be something that is a luxury, it should become the norm, and that's something he's going to fight for." Fetterman returned to the Senate on April 17 and issued the statement, "I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works," per CNN.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Richard Gere
Richard Gere was vacationing with his family in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, while already under the weather. The actor and his family were in Mexico celebrating his wife, Alejandra Silva's, 40th birthday, but he felt lousy. According to TMZ, Gere, 73, developed a bad cough and kept it going throughout the trip. On February 18, Gere checked himself into the hospital as his cough worsened, and he was quickly diagnosed with pneumonia and treated through an overnight stay.
Gere only spent one night in the hospital, but it seemed to do the trick — the antibiotics probably didn't hurt either. After leaving, Gere and his family continued the vacation. Silva's Instagram activity showed Gere and his kids enjoying their time in Mexico, seemingly much better than he was in the beginning. That said, Gere and his family dealt with several minor illnesses throughout their time away. One of Silva's Instagram posts suggested the whole family had been dealing with various illnesses for three weeks.
Silva later posted a follow-up on her Instagram, letting everyone know how the family was faring. "Richard is feeling much better. We are all feeling much better, 'almost' back to normal," she wrote. "We came to Mexico to continue with our conservation project south of Puerto Vallarta. We all came sick from [New York] — our youngest, James and Richard, got Pneumonia, and Alexander and I [had] sinusitis and ear infections. Now we are all well and almost fully recovered."
Nelson Thomas
March 5, 2023, was a nearly fatal day for Nelson Thomas, resulting in a lengthy hospital stay. The star of MTV's "The Challenge" was in an accident that almost cost him his life. While the details of the accident aren't clear, what is known is that Thomas' car was smashed and engulfed in flames when K.J. Osborn drove by in an Uber. The Vikings wide receiver got out of the vehicle and rushed in to help, and he managed to get Thomas out of the car and move him about 15 yards away.
Osborn detailed the event during an interview with "Good Morning Football," sharing, "We didn't know if this car was going to blow up, so that's when I picked him up. He's bleeding, his blood is on me." Nelson's injuries were so extensive that an image he'd posted to Instagram of them was given a graphic image warning by the platform. He also posted a video Osborn shot of the incident, which shows the harrowing rescue and a car that is truly engulfed in flames.
In his March 14 Instagram post, Nelson thanked everyone involved in saving his life that night, including Osborn, writing, "I am forever grateful to [them] for pulling me out of a burning vehicle, [and] risking their own lives to save mine." A GoFundMe organized by a friend quickly racked up tens of thousands of dollars to help with Thomas' extensive medical bills.
Bindi Irwin
On March 7, 2023, Bindi Irwin took to Instagram to let her fans know she underwent surgery following a diagnosis of endometriosis. The agonizing condition had been a part of Irwin's life for a decade, and she explained, "I've struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain, [and] nausea." Irwin further explained how she'd given up and attempted to live through the pain after one physician told her she'd simply have to put up with it, as a woman. Fortunately, she didn't take that advice and opted to do something about it.
The surgery was frightening for the "Crikey! It's the Irwins" star, but by all accounts, she's happy she went through with it. According to Irwin, "[The doctors] found 37 lesions, some very deep [and] difficult to remove." They also found a chocolate cyst — a noncancerous, fluid-filled cyst filled with old menstrual blood and tissue — which they removed. It's unclear how long Irwin was hospitalized for surgery and recovery, though she mentioned in her post, "I'm on the road to recovery [and] the gratitude I feel is overwhelming."
Irwin's decade-long struggle with the pain of endometriosis took a toll. Asking for continued patience regarding inactivity, she pointed out that she'd long been prioritizing the happiness and well-being of her daughter and family. "Please be gentle [and] pause before asking me (or any woman) when we'll be having more children," she added. "After all that my body has gone through, I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter. She feels like our family's miracle."
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes has had a difficult life, having grown up in the public eye while dealing with legal problems and ongoing substance misuse issues. The former child star was in a conservatorship beginning in 2013, and she was finally given control of her own life in 2022. Unfortunately, an event on March 19, 2023 suggested that Bynes may have required more help. At around 6:40 am, Bynes was walking around a Sizzler parking lot in Los Angeles without any clothes on.
Per TMZ, she waved down a car and told the driver she was emerging from a psychotic episode, leading to a call to the LAPD for a medical check. While it was determined she was physically fine, her psychological state required attention. Bynes was placed on a 5150 hold, a California state designation for a mental health hold lasting 72 hours or more. The 5150 hold was extended on March 26, giving Bynes' care team more time to help and treat her condition.
On April 11, TMZ revealed Bynes was released from the mental health facility, having received more than three weeks of inpatient care. She continued to receive outpatient treatment and returned to her home after she was released. Despite her mental health concern, Bynes retained the freedom she earned when her conservatorship ended in 2022. As of this writing, she appears to be doing well since being released from the hospital.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Jamie Foxx
While filming "Back in Action" in Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie Foxx experienced a serious, yet unspecified, medical emergency. The actor was rushed to the hospital on the morning of April 13, with his condition serious enough to warrant out-of-town family members to fly in and come to the hospital, per TMZ. Jamie's daughter, Corinne Foxx, posted about her father's condition on Instagram, writing, "Due to quick action and great care he is already on his way to recovery."
Foxx's hospitalization was initially shrouded in mystery, as the family didn't reveal the nature of his condition or what precisely led to his hospitalization. This led to speculation across the media. Several outlets, including Hip-Hop Vibe and others, reported that Foxx had a stroke. While this hadn't been confirmed as of late April, a source told TMZ, "He's communicating now, and that's good news."
Communication is typically difficult for patients following a stroke, so the news he can communicate may indicate he's recovering, if indeed that was the medical emergency in question. An insider apparently close to Foxx told Entertainment Tonight, "Jaime is doing OK, thankfully. He's recovering and has been surrounded by family." Updates on Foxx's condition were limited, but on April 20, Martin Lawrence, a close friend of Foxx's, told Extra, "I hear he's doing better. My prayers go out for him every night, and just wishing the best for him. [He's] one of the best that we got in Hollywood."
Eloy Jiménez
It's not uncommon for professional athletes to find their way to the hospital — injuries are a way of life in many sports. For that reason, there aren't too many athletes noted here, but Eloy Jiménez's path to medical assistance had nothing to do with how he plays baseball. On May 6, 2023, the White Sox designated hitter was admitted to the hospital after experiencing intesfying abdominal pain, and it didn't take long for the doctors to diagnose him with acute appendicitis, requiring emergency surgery.
Pedro Grifol, the White Sox manager, told ESPN, "It's taken care of now. He will be out for a little bit. We heard [the diagnosis] in the middle of the game. Those things are scary. He'll be back as soon as possible." Because Jiménez required an emergency appendectomy, he had to stay off the diamond for about six weeks. As a result, he was given a rehab assignment to play for the White Sox's minor league team, the Birmingham Barons, for three to four days before returning to the team's roster (per SI FanNation Fastball).
Jiménez's absence was problematic for the team, as it wasn't able to establish a consistent lineup due to the power hitter's absence. Outside of the emergency appendectomy, Jiménez had enjoyed a good season, managing a batting average of .268, which isn't bad. That said, it's slightly lower than his career average, but it makes sense, given his absence. Fortunately, Jiménez recovered from his surgery and resumed his role as an outfielder and designated hitter.
Ryan Feltner
Having pointed out the scarcity of athletes in this article, it's impossible to skip mentioning Ryan Feltner, who experienced a freak accident while pitching in May. Feltner was in the midst of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 14 when a line drive hit by Nick Castellanos beaned him in the head. Feltner saw the ball coming — but given that it was traveling at 92.7 mph, there was little he could do to avoid getting slammed in the head.
Feltner collapsed onto his stomach following the hit and shook his head somewhat vigorously. A time-out was quickly called, and aids rushed to the mound. Fortunately, after Feltner was evaluated there, he was able to walk off the field with a bit of help from two trainers. The baseball did plenty of damage when it hit Feltner's head, and he was soon diagnosed with a concussion and a fractured skull. While the injuries were severe, Feltner recovered and received tons of support from his team, his fans, and the man who hit him.
Feltner spoke to the media for the first time on May 26, when he discussed the care and encouragement he'd received. Regarding Castellano, Feltner said, per MLB, "We haven't communicated, but he sent me a little letter and a nice little gift, so that was part of [the support I have received]. For me, it was part of the process. I felt bad for him because I saw how upset he was. But it's part of the game."
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett was all set for the Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band concert scheduled for May 20, 2023, but a visit to the doctor for an unspecified issue resulted in immediate hospitalization just two days before the show. As a result, the concert was canceled, and all tickets were refunded. The "Margaritaville" performer addressed his fans on Facebook, explaining, "I had a sudden change of plans this week that affected us all ... I had to stop in Boston for a check-up but wound up back in the hospital to address some issues that needed immediate attention. Growing old is not for sissies."
Buffett didn't go into much detail regarding the specific medical issue that resulted in his hospitalization, but he did offer an update via Facebook four days later. The singer-songwriter said he'd get released from the hospital the following day, explaining, "Then [I] will go for a fishing trip with old friends, along with paddling and sailing once I get myself back in good shape." Buffett further explained that he'd announce a new date for the canceled Charlotte, North Carolina show.
Prior to his hospitalization, Buffett had performed 11 live shows in the early half of 2023. The rest of his schedule was scrubbed clean in the immediate aftermath of his recovery. While Buffett only shared one update on Facebook (as of this writing), all indications seem to suggest he's on the mend and will refill his concert calendar soon — perhaps after he hooks a whopper while fishing with his friends.
Dixie D'Amelio
TikTok superstar Dixie D'Amelio had an eventful afternoon on May 18 when she nearly lost consciousness. According to TMZ, she was working in West Hollywood, California, when she began to feel faint. It was believed that she might have been experiencing a seizure at the time, so steps were taken to ensure her health and safety. An ambulance was called, and she was hospitalized for a short time. It turned out Dixie was dehydrated, and the problem was solved with some intravenous fluid.
She didn't keep her fans in the dark for long and managed to post an update from the hospital on her Snapchat. There, Dixie assured her fans that she was feeling better, though she was still undergoing treatment, as several sensors were taped to her chest. Still, the social media star assured her fans she was okay and even managed to plug the launch of her D'Amelio Footwear range, scheduled for later that evening. Dixie wasn't in the hospital for very long, and she got back to work as soon as she was discharged.
The launch, which she began hyping earlier in the year, went off without a hitch — in fact, she showed no signs of dehydration or any other malady as she and her sister Charli D'Amelio launched their footwear range together. As of this writing, Dixie has shown no signs of a repeat occurrence of dehydration and appears to be doing well.
Zach and Matt Roloff
Zach Roloff found himself in an emergency situation in early February thanks to needing surgery on shunt tubing (which is typically used to drain excess brain fluid to other parts of the body). The "Little People, Big World" star posted a picture with his three children on Instagram, letting his fans know he was back home and recovering. "I had a shunt revision surgery after getting really sick," he explained. "The shunt [has] always been something I've had but became very real this past week for our family."
Meanwhile, Zach's dad, Matt Roloff went in to see his doctor for what he thought was a routine procedure when things didn't go as planned. Matt was in the hospital on May 19, 2023, for an upper endoscopy, a relatively routine outpatient procedure. Four days later, he posted a photo of himself on Instagram in a hospital bed, explaining, "Turns out I [had] some unexpected twists and turns leading down to the stomach." He didn't go into detail, but he required additional care and had to remain hospitalized.
In the post, Matt mentioned that he didn't need a computer chip and monitor installed, but more work needed to be done. Both Zach and Matt spent some time off work, healing from their respective medical scares. As of this writing, they are on the mend. Sadly, while Zach's family was there for him, The U.S. Sun claimed that Zach and his twin brother, Jeremy Roloff, had snubbed him during his recovery — at least, in public.