“I got bitten by the blood donation bug”: Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg to donate kidney to stranger with advanced disease

5th Annual Academy Museum Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty
5th Annual Academy Museum Gala - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Popular American actor Jesse Eisenberg has recently revealed that he plans to donate one of his kidneys. On Thursday, October 30, the Now You See Me actor went on the Today Show to talk about his upcoming movie Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

While promoting the highly anticipated sequel, the NBC host recalled a time when Jesse Eisenberg donated blood during a Today blood drive.

“Yes, I’m a big blood donor,” the actor said with a smile.
“Yeah, that's true, I did one here. I’m actually donating my kidney. I'm six weeks. I really am,” he revealed to the shock of all the NBC hosts.

He continued:

“I don't know why, I got bitten by the blood donation bug. Yeah, I’m doing an altruistic donation. Yeah (in) mid-December. I’m so excited to do it.”

The hosts commended him and thanked him for his actions.

“Yeah, I just have so much blood in me, and uhm, and I feel like I should do it. No, I really like doing it, I don't know why.”

More details on Jesse Eisenberg’s kidney donation

In his October 30 appearance on the Today Show, Jesse Eisenberg revealed that he plans to donate one of his kidneys in an altruistic gesture. This means he would be donating the organ to a stranger with advanced kidney disease, not a family member or friend. The actor shared more details about the donation in another exclusive interview with the news outlet. He explained that the procedure was entirely risk-free.

“It's essentially risk-free and so needed. I think people will realize that it's a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”

He continued:

“Let's say person X needs a kidney in Kansas City, (and) their child or whoever was going to donate to them is, for whatever set of reasons, not a match, but somehow I am. That person can still get my kidney, and hopefully, that child of that person will still donate their kidney, right? But it goes to a bank where that person can find a match recipient, but it only works if there is basically an altruistic donor.”

Jesse Eisenberg expressed his interest in being a kidney donor ten years ago. It wasn't until recently that a doctor friend referred him to NYU Langone Health in New York City.

“I was in the hospital the next day and went through a battery of tests, and I'm now scheduled in mid-December,” he shared.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't is expected to hit cinemas on November 14, 2025.

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Edited by Yesha Srivastava