Joe Manganiello is opening up about a private health battle that nearly cost him his life.
The 49-year-old actor, best known for Magic Mike, True Blood and Spider-Man, is revealing the details of his seven-year struggle in his upcoming memoir, Bloodlines.
For years, Manganiello was known to fans as one of Hollywood’s strongest leading men. But behind the scenes, he was quietly fighting a devastating autoimmune disease that attacked his body in ways the public never saw.
According to the book’s synopsis, Manganiello suffered through a “cascade of autoimmune-related illnesses” that affected his skin, thyroid, eyes, lungs and digestive system. The illness left him with chronic pain, forced him into a life-saving organ amputation and pushed him into what the book describes as an “existential crisis.”
Manganiello kept much of the ordeal private while continuing to work and maintain the powerful image fans had come to expect from him. Now, he is preparing to share the full story in a memoir that explores illness, inheritance, masculinity, faith, ambition and the identities people build just to survive.
Bloodlines is set to be released on October 13.
The book also details the unusual path Manganiello followed while trying to heal. According to the synopsis, his journey included shamans, pagan rituals, ancient myths, long-lost family records and a renewed connection to his own spirituality.
The actor, who was previously married to Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, is now engaged to 36-year-old model Caitlin O’Connor.
In a statement to People, Manganiello said he hopes his story helps others who are fighting battles of their own.
“Answers and healing may lie for them on the other side of whatever they are fighting through,” he said.