Kodi Smit-McPhee, the 28-year-old actor best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance in the 2021 Western The Power of the Dog, has revealed that he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the age of 18. This chronic condition, which causes inflammation in the joints and can lead to stiffness, pain, and fatigue, has had a significant impact on his life.
In addition to battling this condition, Smit-McPhee also faced a devastating loss of sight in his left eye. Despite noticing issues with his vision, he continued to prioritize his acting career over his health, eventually leading to irreversible damage. “Ironically, I was playing a superhero in X-Men and working on other action films like Alpha during that time,” he shared with The Telegraph. “I went through very tough times on those jobs… I just didn’t follow up on it. Eventually, the cataract did so much damage that my eye went into atrophy. Now, I can’t see anything out of that eye.”
The actor also reflected on the emotional toll of his early success, acknowledging that the pressures of fame, combined with personal struggles, played a role in his health issues. Smit-McPhee believes “suppressed trauma” contributed to his physical and mental struggles, especially after witnessing his parents’ marriage unravel during his teenage years.
He explained, “I felt like I had to look after my family, projecting these expectations onto myself. Acting was the greatest experience of my life, but it also felt like something I could do to ‘save everyone.'” He admitted to struggling with feelings of inadequacy and impostor syndrome, as he believed he was unable to prevent the disintegration of his family. “It felt very selfish,” he confessed. “I only got to do it for myself.”
Smit-McPhee’s candid interview sheds light on the hidden challenges faced by many child actors, highlighting the toll that both physical health and personal trauma can take on a person, regardless of their success in the public eye.
Related topic:
Dense Cataract Removal: A Complete Guide
3 Surgeries to Change the Color of Your Eyes
Magical Asian Double Eyelid Surgery: Created Your Own Beauty
