Bijou Phillips undergoes kidney transplant

Written by . Published: April 07 2017

Actress Bijou Phillips is recovering after undergoing a kidney transplant earlier this week (ends07Apr17).


The Raising Hope star was hospitalized in Santa Barbara, California in February (17), with her husband, actor Danny Masterson, by her side. According to TMZ.com, she had been suffering from a serious blood infection, and was in need of a kidney transplant.

Her representative later revealed she "was born with small kidneys and has been quietly dealing with kidney disease for the last five years."

Phillips has been on a donor list for years and in February, she insisted she was "optimistic" she would undergo surgery in the near future after finding a potential donor. Earlier this week, the transplant took place and she received a new kidney from a friend.

"My lady has been slowing dying for the past 7 years (sic) of an incurable kidney disease," Masterson wrote on Instagram on Thursday (06Apr17). "She was given the gift of an encore by a tall angel."

"Our daughter will have a mother," he added. "We do not take lightly how incredibly fortunate we are. 100% successful transplant. Now the real work begins for her to silence any chance of rejection. Our deepest gratitude to a perfect transplant team..."

Phillips married former That '70s Show star Masterson in 2011. The couple has a three-year-old daughter, named Fianna Francis.

The transplant news comes weeks after a report surfaced suggesting a trio of women had accused Masterson of sexual assault. Masterson denied reports he raped the women, who were fellow members of the Church of Scientology. A representative for the actor claimed Los Angeles police officials interviewed numerous witnesses in connection to the claims against him and determined "the claim had no merit".