LOS ANGELES — Actress Evangeline Lilly says she has brain damage after a serious accident in Hawaii last year. She told fans the news in a video posted on social media, revealing that brain scans showed nearly every part of her brain is working at a reduced capacity because of the injury.
Lilly said she was just diagnosed with the injury, which was caused by a fall in May 2025 when she fainted on a beach and hit her head face-first on a large rock. That fall also left her with a concussion.
In the video posted on Jan. 1, 2026, Lilly said she is starting the new year with “some bad news” about her health and that she is working with doctors to try to understand and treat the injury. She said the recovery process will be hard, but she plans to face it with help from her medical team.
The actress is well known for her roles in the TV series “Lost” and the Marvel movies “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Avengers: Endgame.” She stepped away from acting in 2024 to spend more time with her family and on other projects. Some fans now say that decision makes sense as she deals with health issues.
In her video, Lilly said the injury forced her to slow down and rest more than she has in years. She said the change had some positive effects, calling it one of the most peaceful holiday seasons she has had in a long time.
Lilly also thanked her fans and supporters for their kind messages and prayers since she first opened up about the accident. In her social media message, she said she felt “extraordinarily grateful” to be alive and able to enjoy life, even as she continues to work on her recovery.
Doctors told Lilly she will need to take things slowly and focus on rest, therapy and any treatments that might help her brain work better over time. She said that even though the road ahead may be tough, she is determined to do what she can.
