Chase Stokes Reveals Liver and Kidney Failure After Wrapping Outer Banks: "I Wouldn't Have Been Around Much Longer"

Chase Stokes might have looked like an invincible action hero on screen, but off camera, his body was in serious trouble. The Outer Banks star, 33, recently opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about his health collapsing after filming the show’s fifth and final season. Stokes revealed that his liver and kidneys were failing, and his brain felt completely“out of whack.”He admitted in hindsight that if he hadn’t stopped to address his health, he probably“wouldn’t have been around much longer.”

The actor took a step back from work to focus on recovery, which included biweekly blood tests and transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, a non-invasive therapy used to help with brain function. While he hasn’t disclosed a specific diagnosis, Stokes credits this time off with saving his life. He says he’s now starting to feel“more like himself again”and attends therapy regularly to stay on top of his mental and physical health. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most successful people can hit a wall, and that taking a break isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a survival tactic.

Now that he’s back on his feet, Stokes is ready for the next chapter. He’s set to lead the cast of AMC’s upcoming NASCAR drama, Thunder Road, and he’s calling the transition“terrifying”but exciting. Outer Banks is now streaming on Netflix in its entirety, and fans are already rallying behind Stokes online. His story is proof that no amount of fame or success is worth sacrificing your health. So, when was the last time you checked in on your own wellbeing? Let us know in the comments below.