"The Blind Side" Star Quinton Aaron Is 'Alert, Aware and Recovering' After Suffering Spinal Stroke, Family Says Charna Flam, Sarah JonesJanuary 30, 2026 at 11:29 AM 5 Quinton Aaron in August 2022 Sean Zanni/Getty The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron's family is sharing an update after his recent hospitalization His family shared on Thursday, Jan. 29, that he suffered a spinal stroke Aaron is "alert, aware and recovering," his family said in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, Jan. 29 The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron's family is sharing why he was recently hospitalized.
- - "The Blind Side" Star Quinton Aaron Is 'Alert, Aware and Recovering' After Suffering Spinal Stroke, Family Says
Charna Flam, Sarah JonesJanuary 30, 2026 at 11:29 AM
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Quinton Aaron in August 2022
Sean Zanni/Getty
The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron's family is sharing an update after his recent hospitalization
His family shared on Thursday, Jan. 29, that he suffered a spinal stroke
Aaron is "alert, aware and recovering," his family said in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, Jan. 29
The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron's family is sharing why he was recently hospitalized.
The actor, 41, best known for his portrayal of Michael Oher in the 2009 film, suffered a spinal stroke, his family said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Thursday, Jan. 29. TMZ was the first to report the news.
Aaron's family also expressed gratitude for the "overwhelming love, support and prayers," adding that he is now "alert, aware and recovering."
Spinal strokes occur when something, such as blood clots or hemorrhages, stops blood flow in a person's spinal cord, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition is very rare, less than 1% of all strokes, and "can still be fatal or cause permanent disabilities."
Quinton Aaron in June 2022
Amanda Edwards/Getty
"The Aaron family has a lot to deal with for the betterment of their loved one, but will be sure to keep everyone posted regarding Quinton's health as we see fit," the family's statement read.
"We kindly ask the public to please respect the decisions we make and to please understand that false information or statements may be made by others who continue to come forward but are not fully informed or aware of all of the facts surrounding his condition nor are they authorized to do so."
The family said if individuals who are not blood relatives decide to speak about his condition without consent, "there will be legal repercussions."
A GoFundMe fundraiser, which a GoFundMe rep confirmed to PEOPLE is authentic, was set up to help with his medical expenses.
The recent hospitalization comes nearly a year after he was hospitalized for coughing up blood and coming down with a fever in February 2025, TMZ previously reported.
Aaron said at the time that medics believed he was dealing with Type A flu, as well as pneumonia. He also suffered a severe upper respiratory infection back in 2019, according to the outlet.
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Jae Head, Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"
Ralph Nelson/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett
Following his February hospitalization, he announced in an October Instagram post that he'd lost 200 lbs.
"I am overwhelmed and blessed to announce that I have reached another cool milestone in my life," Aaron captioned the post which included two side-by-side photos of his body transformation.
In February 2022, Aaron told TMZ that he'd dropped 100 lbs. after gaining weight during the COVID-19 pandemic due to binge-eating.
Aaron's credits also include Be Kind Rewind, Left Behind, Mothers and Daughters and Traded.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 30, 2026 at 12:45PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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