Ashton Kutcher opens up about rare disease that made him unable to see, hear or walk

vt-author-image

By James Kay

Article saved!Article saved!

Ashton Kutcher has opened up about a rare disease that left him unable to see, hear or walk during a candid interview.

Kutcher, 44, is known for being a warm, loveable character after featuring in classics such as That 70's Show and Dude, Where's My Car?

The actor, alongside his wife Mila Kunis - who was born and raised in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi before moving to the US in 1991 - recently raised over $30 million in aid for the people of Ukraine.

Kutcher has since sat down with CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus for Paramount+ original docuseries "The Checkup with Dr. David Agus", to reveal the medical condition he has battled behind the scenes.

He opened up about his struggle with a rare form of vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels, as per Versus Arthritis.

"[It] knocked out my hearing, which threw off my equilibrium, my balance, and I couldn't walk," the star explained. "There's a standard you become accustomed to in your life, like being able to see clearly. Then suddenly, you can't see."

The actor explained how it seemed to happen overnight, after waking up one morning with vision issues which meant he could barely see.

size-full wp-image-1263182216
Ashton Kutcher revealed he lives with vasculitis. Credit: Everett Collection / Alamy

He also discussed his health condition with Bear Grylls whilst filming for National Geographic. Talking to the explorer, he said: "Two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis that, like, knocked out my vision, it knocked out my hearing, it knocked out, like, all my equilibrium.

"You don't really appreciate it until it's gone. Until you go, 'I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to see again, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to hear again, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to walk again.'"

In a tweet released in August, he confirmed he had indeed reclaimed his health. He said: "I had a rare vasculitis episode 3yrs ago. (Autoimmune flair-up) I had some impairments hear, vision, balance issues right after. I fully recovered. All good. Moving on." (sic)

During the interview for Paramount+, the actor also sat down with his twin brother Michael who was born with cerebral palsy and had to undergo a life-saving heart transplant at the age of 13.

We wish the actor continuing good health in the future.

Featured image credit: DPA / Alamy