Elijah Wood opened up about his struggle with the most unimaginable pain, stating about his emergency surgery.

The Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood recently shared an update about a health emergency he faced. In a podcast appearance, he opened out about his unbearably painful journey related to a serious stomach issue.

Wood mentioned the warning signs of the issues that he was typically unaware of. He highlighted the lack of symptoms surrounding the diagnosis. The actor went through unimaginable pain which was the most he felt in his life.

Elijah Wood in Lord of the Rings | Credit: New Line Cinema

Having gained fame as a child actor in films such as Avalon and The Good Son Wood became a household name playing hobbit Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Wood last appeared in the 2024 adventure comedy Bookworm. He seized the opportunity to candidly discuss his journey with health struggles on the podcast.

Elijah Wood talked about health emergency surgery during the podcast

During the January 6 episode of Inside of You with host Michael Rosenbaum, Wood described the emergency appendectomy surgery he underwent after experiencing “extremely painful” symptoms. He stated

What happened is the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. My appendix burst. 

Elijah Wood in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | Credit: New Line Cinema

Apparently, for a month leading up to the explosion, he had been experiencing stomach issues. However, he didn’t think much of it because it wasn’t severe enough.“ If you got appendicitis the warning signs are pretty severe… it’s like bad pain, enough that you got attention.” 

Wood’s stomach issues were somewhat “pervasive”. It disappeared but came back and became unbearable. He brushed off the symptoms initially, “Nothing about it felt localized or specific enough” to diagnose the issue. He felt something was seriously wrong when he felt intense abdominal pain and couldn’t stand up straight. It all became clear when he went to the restroom and his appendix exploded,

It burst and I got on my knees…The most unimaginable pain I ever felt…It was heat pain…couldn’t speak.

Thankfully he was with his family and his mother quickly called the doctor allowing him to receive emergency surgery. The pain was so severe he struggled to breathe.

Elijah Wood also opened out about anxiety and mental health

During the conversation with Rosenbaum, Wood also addressed a common human experience: anxiety. It’s part of life and celebrities are also no exception. Elijah Wood opened out about getting nervous on the first day of any shooting and having loads of dialogue.

He noted he never suffered from crippling anxiety that requires medication. The actor acknowledged exercises help but sometimes it is hard to get away with it.

Elijah Wood and Michael Rosenbaum in the Inside of You podcast | Credit: Image by Inside of You Podcast

Reflecting on his first anxiety attack while driving a car he explained how he had to pull over due to a racing heart, things that were out of his control. He had to roll down the window to get fresh air.

The experience made him realize panic attacks can resurface, if it has entered the brain the key is to recognize it’s a mental battle. At the end of the day, it’s all human experience, it’s something one must learn to cope with.

Elijah Wood credited her mom for all his achievements

Elijah Wood started his career as a child actor at the age of eight with a minor part in Back to the Future II. However, he sought fame after The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He recognized the importance of his mother’s guidance throughout his upbringing, which allowed him to navigate the pitfalls of his sudden fame, a feat that many of his peers struggled with in their youth.

Yellowjackets star also thanked her mom for providing him with fundamentals that he still holds dear. It created a foundation for him to be a great human being. For that, he never wanted to be defined by his work or by success but rather by the person he is.

When asked by Rosenbaum who he is most grateful for, Wood replied the list goes endless but particularly thanked her mom, his kids, and his wife.

I am beyond grateful for my family, my kids, and my wife like they are an extension of me…they are the most important people of my life.

Elijah Wood in the film Bookworm | Credit: Rialto Distribution and Mister Smith Entertainment

Reflecting on his health crisis, it’s clear that without his family by his side during his health emergency, the situation could have been turned much worse. Wood’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial importance of prioritizing health and surrounding oneself with a strong support system. On that note, Wood’s new film Bookworm, set in New Zealand, centers on a father-daughter duo.