The muscular Hollywood star opens up about a near-fatal health battle, devastating muscle loss, and his road to recovery in his new memoir.
Joe Manganiello has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most muscular actors, but behind the scenes, he was fighting a mysterious illness that nearly cost him his life. The 49-year-old actor recently revealed that he battled a debilitating autoimmune condition for seven years, losing 60 pounds and undergoing major intestinal surgery before eventually recovering.
Manganiello opened up about the ordeal in his new memoir, Bloodlines, released on October 13. During interviews promoting the book, the True Blood and Magic Mike star detailed the physical and emotional toll of an illness that threatened his health, his career, and the muscular physique he had spent years building.
Joe Manganiello Details Seven-Year Autoimmune Disease Battle and 60-Pound Weight Loss
In an October 7 interview with PEOPLE, Manganiello revealed that his health began deteriorating shortly after marrying actress Sofia Vergara in 2015.
The symptoms included severe abdominal pain, fevers, headaches, blistering rashes, and extreme fatigue. His condition eventually became so debilitating that he struggled to walk.
Despite numerous medical examinations and treatments, doctors were unable to provide a definitive diagnosis.
“I was getting sicker and sicker,” Manganiello told PEOPLE.
His condition reached a critical point in 2016 when he underwent emergency surgery to remove severely damaged portions of his intestines. According to his memoir, Vergara authorized doctors to remove his large intestine while he was under anesthesia, a decision he credits with saving his life.
The procedure left him dependent on an ostomy bag, while his prolonged hospitalization resulted in significant physical deterioration.
Manganiello revealed that he lost approximately 60 pounds in just two weeks following the surgery. The muscular actor became so thin that his spine protruded from his back, and he developed painful bedsores because he had lost the muscle tissue that previously provided cushioning.
For someone whose career and identity were closely associated with physical strength and muscular development, the transformation was particularly devastating.
However, Manganiello was determined to begin rebuilding his strength. He recalled walking through the hospital while still attached to an IV as he gradually worked toward being discharged.
“I can’t believe I’m alive,” Manganiello told PEOPLE while reflecting on his recovery.
Joe Manganiello’s Connection to Bodybuilding and Fitness
Although Manganiello is best known for his acting career, his dedication to bodybuilding and strength training has made him a recognizable figure within the fitness community.
Standing 6-foot-5, Manganiello developed his muscular physique through years of consistent resistance training. His imposing build helped define his portrayal of Alcide Herveaux in HBO’s True Blood, while his physique also became a major part of his appearances in the Magic Mike films.
Manganiello has previously described his training routine as a combination of bodybuilding and CrossFit, often working out six days per week.
In 2023, he even trained alongside legendary bodybuilder and former Mr. Universe Lou Ferrigno. The two worked through a chest training session, with Ferrigno providing instruction during cable chest flyes.
Manganiello has also worked with longtime trainer Ron Mathews to build strength and muscle.
In a 2024 interview with Men’s Journal, the actor revealed that he was deadlifting 400 pounds and squatting 300 pounds in his late 40s.
He explained that his relationship with the gym extended far beyond simply maintaining his appearance for Hollywood roles.
“No matter what’s going on in my life, good or bad, I can always turn to the gym.”
His commitment to strength training makes the details of his recent health revelations particularly striking. Despite suffering substantial weight and muscle loss during his illness, Manganiello eventually returned to lifting heavy weights and pursuing new strength goals.
Manganiello Says He Is Now Healthy After Years of Suffering
Manganiello’s health battle also affected his personal life, including his marriage to Vergara, which ended in divorce in 2024.
However, the actor has emphasized that his memoir is about much more than his former relationship. He wanted to share the full story of his illness and the struggles he had kept private for years.
Manganiello has also discussed seeking alternative healing practices after conventional treatments failed to resolve his symptoms. He believes addressing emotional and generational trauma played a role in his recovery.
Following additional surgery to reconnect his digestive tract, Manganiello says he is now symptom-free and no longer taking medication.
He has not received a definitive diagnosis explaining the original illness.
For Manganiello, who spent years building one of Hollywood’s most recognizable physiques, his recovery represents more than a return to physical fitness. After facing a potentially fatal illness and losing much of his hard-earned muscle, the actor has regained his strength and a renewed appreciation for his health.
His experience also highlights how quickly serious illness can compromise muscle mass and physical function, even in individuals who have spent years dedicated to strength training.
Image embed via Instagram @joemanganiello
