# James McAvoy nearly died from botched lung biopsy

> Actor James McAvoy nearly died after a botched lung biopsy before transforming for 2019 film Glass.
- Title: James McAvoy nearly died from botched lung biopsy · Dailymail
- Summary: Actor James McAvoy nearly died after a botched lung biopsy before transforming for 2019 film Glass. James McAvoy nearly died from a botched lung biopsy that…
- Keywords: james mcavoy, glass, lung biopsy, botched, 2019 film, health crisis, actor recovery, news, entertainment, James, McAvoy, nearly
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-16206801/james-mcavoy-nearly-died-botched-lung-biopsy-glass.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-13T22:49:08+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: james mcavoy, glass, lung biopsy, botched, 2019 film, health crisis, actor recovery, news, entertainment
## James McAvoy reveals health crisis
James McAvoy shared he nearly died after his lungs collapsed during a botched lung biopsy procedure.

> I had a lung puncture… they saw a shadow in my lung, so they wanted to biopsy it to see if it was cancer, which it wasn't, which was great
## McAvoy's hospital recovery
He spent two to three weeks in the hospital as doctors tried to clear his lungs without success.

> They were like, 'We're going to need to cut you open big style, go in with, like, dish soap basically and just clean you out, scoop it all out'
## Botched procedure details
McAvoy was alone during the incident when his vital organs gave way and he nearly died.

> I was at home two days later, and my lungs just collapsed in bed one night. And I was on my own as well, so it was crazy
## Preparing for Glass
McAvoy worked with a trainer to build the physique needed for his role in the 2019 film Glass.

> The guy that worked me was amazing. For the first four weeks, he rehabilitated me
## Role transformation
He described the physical demands of portraying Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with 24 personalities.

> I was The Beast for most of the movie, and I was just outside in broad daylight as well
## Band of Brothers bullying
McAvoy claimed a Band of Brothers co-star bullied him on set after getting 'tons of lines'.

> One of the guys decided to bully me on my first day as a professional actor out of acting school
## Bullying incident
The co-star allegedly made him stand and laugh at for three minutes during his first day on set.

> They got him and his buddies to stand, point and laugh at me for like, three minutes
## Co-star support
Dexter Fletcher and Robin Laing took McAvoy aside after the bullying incident.

> Dexter Fletcher and Robin Laing 'took me aside, they were like, 'Come hang with us man'
## Health impact
McAvoy's health crisis affected his ability to run, cycle, or jog for weeks after the procedure.

> I could walk, but I couldn't run, couldn't cycle, couldn't jog … so he did a lot of rehabilitation
## Film role details
McAvoy had to transform his body to play Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with 24 personalities.

> I remember saying to [writer/director M. Night Shyamalan], 'You're going to need to get me a trainer'
## Trainer's role
The trainer helped McAvoy build muscle and regain mobility after the health crisis.

> He did a lot of rehabilitation and, sort of, functional movement, and then put the pounds on me really fast
## Film sequel
Glass is the sequel to the 2016 psychological thriller Split.

> In the follow-up movie, he returned to play Kevin Wendell Crumb
## Health crisis impact
McAvoy's health crisis led to a two to three week hospital stay with limited mobility.

> They were like, 'We're going to need to cut you open big style, go in with, like, dish soap basically and just clean you out, scoop it all out'
## Bullying aftermath
McAvoy rated the Band of Brothers experience as a nine out of ten, but the bullying incident as a two.

> The experience of working on the project was a nine out of ten, but the day he was allegedly bullied was a two
## Podcast discussion
McAvoy discussed the health crisis on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast.

> The 47-year-old actor, who claims a former co-star bullied him, was a guest on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast this week
## Key takeaway

James McAvoy nearly died from a botched lung biopsy that collapsed his lungs, but recovered to transform for the 2019 film Glass.