Ashton Kutcher.Photo: Paramount Plus/YouTube
Ashton Kutcheris opening up about his 2019 health scare — and his doctor says wifeMila Kuniswas key to his recovery.
The actor, whofirst revealed his health struggleduring an episode of National Geographic’sRunning Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challengein August, suffered from a rare form of autoimmune disease vasculitis.
The disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own blood vessels, causing inflammation and narrowing in the vessels.
For Ashton, 44,the “terrifying, life-threatening” experiencehappened all of a sudden, he revealed during a candid conversation with his physician for the premiere episode of Paramount Plus’The Checkup with Dr. David Agus.
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Since his year-long struggle against the disease in 2019, Ashton has sincemade “impressive” progresswith both his vision and hearing, Agus commended, perEntertainment Tonight.
As for how theButterfly Effectactor was able to make such strides, there seems to be one crucial person to thank.
Ashton agreed, saying about hiswife of seven years, “She’s the best.”
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
TheJobsstar previously said hefelt “lucky to be alive"in the aftermath of his battle with vasculitis. In his conversation with Agus, he revealed more about what he was feeling as he struggled through the disease.
“There’s a standard you become accustomed to in your life, like being able to see clearly,” he said. “And then suddenly you can’t see, like you have this occlusion and you can’t see. And then, you’re like, ‘Why are you not f—ing talking louder, because I can’t hear you?’ You want to reclaim the health that you once had.”
It was that frustration that prompted Ashton to set a lofty goal like running a marathon, a feat he achieved in November as hecompleted the New York City marathon, raising over $1 million for his foundationThorn, which protects children from sexual abuse.
“Part of it is this mental thing I have around achieving a full comeback from waking up at the hospital,” Ashton told Agus. “I was unable to walk and I was like, wait a second, if I can go from not being able to walk to running a marathon in a three-year span, then I can let that be a part of the past and be like, ‘I’m back. I’m good.’ "
In the same episode, Ashton opened up about his relationship with his twin brother,Michael Kutcher, who wasborn with cerebral palsy.
Though the two have had ups and downs in their relationship, their sit-down with Agus — the first recorded interview they’ve done together — prompted a candid and emotional conversation between the brothers.
At one point, Michael grabbed Ashton’s hands as the latter wiped away tears, recalling the frightening moment Michael “flatline[d]” while in the hospital. “Everything is not okay,” the actor said tearfully.
The new Paramount Plus series will also feature conversations with stars likeOprah Winfrey,Amy Schumer,Jane Fonda,Maria ShriverandHowie Mandelabout their own medical struggles with cancer specialist Agus.
“These artists were willing to take us deep into their own health stories, often for the first time in such a revealing way,” Agus said. “Their stories are captivating and scary, though ultimately uplifting and inspiring.”
Ashton Kutcher’s episode ofThe Checkup With Dr. David Agusis now streaming on Paramount Plus.
source: people.com
