Actress Bijou Phillips Urgently Seeks Kidney Donor

Phillips, a single mother, says her transplanted kidney is failing and she needs a living donor to continue caring for her 11-year-old daughter.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Actress Bijou Phillips, 44, is back on dialysis and publicly appealing on Instagram for a living kidney donor. Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and received a kidney transplant in 2017, but that transplant is now failing. She is hospitalized at UCLA and says she urgently needs a new kidney in order to continue caring for her 11-year-old daughter.

Why it matters

Kidney failure is a serious and life-threatening condition, and Phillips' public plea highlights the ongoing need for organ donors. As a single mother, her health crisis also raises concerns about the challenges faced by parents who are the sole caretakers of their children.

The details

Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent her first three months on dialysis. The kidney transplant she received in 2017 from a friend gave her eight years with her daughter, but she has since battled complications, including the BK virus, which led to both cellular and antibody rejection of the transplanted kidney.

  • Phillips received her first kidney transplant in 2017.
  • The transplanted kidney began failing in recent years, leading to Phillips' current hospitalization at UCLA.

The players

Bijou Phillips

A 44-year-old actress who is urgently seeking a living kidney donor after the transplanted kidney she received in 2017 began to fail.

Danny Masterson

Phillips' ex-husband, a former actor on That '70s Show, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence after being convicted of rape.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm asking as ... most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter.”

— Bijou Phillips (Instagram)

What’s next

Phillips has shared a Google Form in her Instagram bio for potential donors to provide basic medical and contact information, as a first step in the donation process.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing need for organ donors and the challenges faced by single parents dealing with serious health issues. Phillips' public plea underscores the importance of raising awareness about living organ donation and supporting families in crisis.