Bijou Phillips Hospitalized for Second Kidney Transplant, Urgently Seeks Donor

A spokesperson for Bijou Phillips has informed Variety that the actress and musician is currently in the hospital and in immediate need of a second kidney transplant. Her health is reportedly stable but delicate after a prior transplant in 2017 failed. Phillips took to social media to make a personal plea, writing, "I’m asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt, and, most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter."

This urgent situation is the latest chapter in a lifelong health battle. Phillips was born with renal dysplasia, a condition where the kidneys do not develop properly, and required dialysis as an infant. She is part of a famous Hollywood lineage; her father was John Phillips, the founder of the legendary 60s band The Mamas & the Papas, and her mother is actress Genevieve Waite. Her family includes half-sisters Mackenzie Phillips, known for her role on "One Day at a Time," and Chynna Phillips of the vocal group Wilson Phillips.

Initially rising to prominence in the late 90s as a model and a fixture in celebrity tabloids, Phillips was often seen with socialite Paris Hilton and was romantically linked to musician Sean Ono Lennon. Her professional debut came with the 1999 film "Black and White," which led to parts in Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" and the horror sequel "Hostel: Part II," as well as a role on the sitcom "Raising Hope." She also pursued music, releasing a single album titled "I'd Rather Eat Glass" in 1999, which was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads.

Her personal life has frequently been in the spotlight, particularly her marriage to actor Danny Masterson. The couple wed in 2011 and their divorce was finalized in 2025. Masterson is now incarcerated, serving a 30-year-to-life sentence following his 2023 conviction on rape charges. Phillips and Masterson share a daughter, who turns 12 this weekend. Medical professionals emphasize the urgency of her appeal, as subsequent transplants carry increased risks of organ rejection due to sensitization from the previous procedure. "The clock is ticking for patients in this situation," noted Dr. Alisha Chen, a transplant nephrologist not involved in Phillips's care. "Finding a match becomes statistically more difficult, underscoring the chronic national shortage of organ donors." This case brings renewed attention to the over 100,000 people currently on the U.S. national transplant waiting list.