Jean Smart'S 2023 Health Scare: A Hollywood Heart-To-Heart

Jean Smart's Heartfelt Reveal

April 10, 2026, 9:09 a.m. ET – In true Hollywood fashion, the ever-resilient Jean Smart has opened up about a frightening health scare she faced in 2023. The "Hacks" star has confirmed she underwent a triple bypass surgery after experiencing alarming symptoms while on set.

It was during the filming of a Season 3 episode of "Hacks" that Smart began feeling pressure in her chest and growing fatigue. Initially, she chalked it up to being out of shape, as she revealed to Variety, "After several takes, I was like, 'Did you get it? Was that enough?' I was feeling a little tired. But I didn't think anything of it."

"I had gotten used to feeling a little pressure, like if I'd go up a couple of flights of stairs. But it would always just go away. And I would always think, 'Jean, you're in such crappy shape.'"

A Life-Saving Decision

As the days passed, Smart couldn't shake her discomfort. The Emmy winner was driven by the thought of leaving her sons, Forrest and Connor, without both parents after losing her husband, Richard Gilliland, to a heart condition. This motivated her to consult a doctor.

Initially, Smart expected a stress test would suffice, but her physician's urgent advice landed her in the emergency room – a reality check she would not soon forget. Coincidentally, "Hacks" costar Paul W. Downs was present at the same hospital, offering his support during the tense moments.

The Road to Recovery

Smart recalled the nerve-wracking consultations with three heart surgeons before facing the triple bypass. "I wasn't really scared until I woke up the next day, and I'm thinking about what they had to do. You start to feel so fragile," she shared.

Despite the stress, Smart has turned her experience into a message for her followers. Encouraging everyone to listen to their bodies, she shared on Instagram, "I'm very glad I did."

So, as the sun sets over the Malibu waves, Jean Smart stands as a beacon of resilience and health advocacy, reminding us all to mind our wellness amid the hustle and bustle of LA life.