What happened to Sterling K Brown? This is us star reveals he needs surgery following injury

Sterling K Brown recently shared that he faced an injury while working on Hulu’s Paradise.

However, the actor assured fans that the setback would not keep him from attending the 2025 Emmy Awards. Addressing fans in an Instagram video, he said:

“I’m going to have to have this conversation a bunch of times with a bunch of people so hopefully this will sort of condense the number of times I’ll have to share some unfortunate news. Not horrible news, but unfortunate,” shared Brown.

Sterling K Brown revealed he had torn his Achilles tendon, an injury he described as both unexpected and serious.

“For the folks that know sports, they know that recovery can take a little bit of time, doing something athletic, as I’m prone to do, and not even super dangerous or anything. Just took a step and it felt like somebody stomped on the back of my heel,” he explained.

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Sterling K Brown faced a setback with a torn Achilles, but promised to celebrate Emmy recognition

Brown noted that,

“Injuries where no one touches you are probably the most serious ones.” He added, “So [I] gotta have surgery,” before confirming he would “do it after” the 2025 Emmys.

“So I can go and I can motivate myself and try to celebrate with my cast and the producers of Paradise because we got recognized. It will be nice to be out there,” he shared.

Although determined to join his cast, the actor admitted the setback had been challenging.

“One of those things when you’re used to using your body a certain way and used to being active, most people that know me, if I’m not going to an event, I’m usually wearing some sort of athleisure wear of what-have-you, so if a game breaks out, Brown is ready. I got cleats in the back of the car,” he explained.

For now, Sterling K Brown said he was confined to bed, keeping himself occupied with football and books.

“I’m doing some reading. I am doing everything to keep my spirits up, y’all it’s a journey and I have to keep positivity coming your way. … I am receiving all the good vibes and energy that you are sending my way. Appreciate it … I’m telling myself, as I’m telling everybody, ‘This too shall pass,’” shared Brown.

This was not his first brush with injury. Sterling K Brown explained that he had “torn his ACL twice and had two surgeries.” He reflected,

“I know what the rehab is like. I know what it takes, what it requires. So you just gotta get yourself ready for it. Just get yourself ready to move through. It doesn’t kill me, so it’s gonna make me stronger. Obstacles aren’t meant to be avoided, they are meant to be gone through. Strength requires friction.”

Sterling K Brown closed his message with gratitude.

“Love you all and if you’re going through anything yourself, this too shall pass, you’re going to be alright. I’ll talk to you later,” Brown said.

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Last month, Sterling K Brown opened up on why he couldn’t imagine surviving without his children

A Los Angeles Times cover story dated Aug. 4, 2025, highlighted Sterling K Brown’s reflections on family, survival, and gratitude. The actor revealed that his Ladera Heights home included a bunker that had been sealed years earlier. He explained that he and his wife did not want their children to access it when they were young, but with time, they are now reconsidering.

Sterling K Brown, who received an Emmy nomination for his lead role in Hulu’s Paradise, was asked how he would respond to the difficult scenario of closing a bunker door on his children. His answer was immediate.

“I’m not going in there without my kids, if they couldn’t make it, and I did, I think that is a very particular type of torture,” he shared.

He drew on personal experience, pointing to the loss of his nephew.

“My sister lost a son, and that is a pain that I don’t wish on any parent, and many parents have to experience it day in and day out, it’s not something that I even like to think about. And as an actor, you are asked to contemplate truly wild, preposterous, awful scenarios. That one, losing a child ... I don’t want to go there,” he explained.

Even so, Sterling K Brown found perspective in the lessons of This Is Us.

“You know, This Is Us was all about people losing things. You lose people, you lose homes, you lose friendships, you lose marriages. And the underlying theme was: Life goes on. There’s still something beautiful to be found on the other side, right? So I guess I would have to remember that, like actively remember that I have had an experience that teaches me that there is something of value if I persist.”