"Magic Mike" star Joe Manganiello has revealed that he suffered in silence for nearly a decade while battling a deadly mystery illness that even the best doctors could not diagnose. In a video shared to Instagram on Wednesday, the 49-year-old actor said he only told a small number of loved ones about his condition.
Failed Treatments and Brutal Side Effects
Manganiello explained that all attempts to treat the illness with high-powered biological drugs only exacerbated his symptoms and unlocked a host of brutal side effects that plagued him for years. He underwent serious procedures and operations that mutilated parts of his body, leaving him weak and unable to stand up or walk, in attempts to buy himself time.
"I spent many months heavily medicated while dealing with excruciating bouts of chronic pain," Manganiello said. He added that his upcoming memoir, "Bloodlines," documents his 10-year search for answers and delves into his family's history.
Search for Answers Beyond Western Medicine
The actor wanted to understand that what happened to him wasn't random and became open to radical and unorthodox techniques beyond the boundaries of western medicine. He turned to alternative treatments including shamans, pagan rituals, ancient myths, long-lost family records, and a rebirth of his own spirituality.
"If you're out there and you're suffering, there's hope," Manganiello told followers who might be going through similar struggles.
Chronic Pain and Organ Amputation
In a summary for his memoir, set for release on Oct. 13, Manganiello revealed that he dealt with a cascade of autoimmune-related illnesses targeting his thyroid, digestive system, skin, lungs, and eyes, according to Page Six. He lived with chronic pain, underwent a life-saving organ amputation, experienced existential crisis, and endured a prolonged fight for survival that left doctors with few answers over seven years.
While researching his family history, Manganiello discovered that ancestors who survived the Armenian genocide also lived with chronic illness. He has not disclosed the specific years of his health battle. Manganiello was married to actress Sofia Vergara from 2015 to 2024.
