Actress Bijou Phillips Urgently Needs Kidney Transplant

The 45-year-old actress is back on dialysis after her transplanted kidney failed after 8 years.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Bijou Phillips, the 45-year-old actress, is currently hospitalized at UCLA Health and in need of a new kidney transplant. Phillips has struggled with kidney disease since birth, receiving a transplant in 2017 that gave her 8 years of stability. However, complications from the BK virus have led to the failure of that transplanted kidney, and she is now back on dialysis. Phillips has taken to social media to make a public plea for a living donor, as time is of the essence in finding a match.

Why it matters

Bijou Phillips' story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those with chronic kidney disease, even after a successful transplant. Her public plea for a donor sheds light on the critical need for organ donations, especially for those like Phillips who have already undergone one transplant. Her situation also demonstrates the emotional toll on patients and their families as they navigate the complex medical system in search of a life-saving solution.

The details

Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of her life on dialysis. She has dealt with kidney disease throughout her life, including a transplant in 2017 that gave her 8 years of stability. However, complications from the BK virus, a common virus that can reactivate in transplant patients with weakened immune systems, led to the failure of that transplanted kidney. Phillips is now back on dialysis and in urgent need of another transplant. She has taken to Instagram to make a public plea for a living donor, as the process of finding a match and undergoing evaluation is detailed and time-sensitive.

  • Phillips received her first kidney transplant in 2017.
  • The transplanted kidney functioned for 8 years before failing.
  • Phillips was hospitalized at UCLA Health and placed back on dialysis in February 2026.

The players

Bijou Phillips

A 45-year-old actress who has struggled with kidney disease since birth, including a previous kidney transplant in 2017 that failed after 8 years due to complications from the BK virus.

Fianna Francis Masterson

Phillips' daughter, whom she shares with actor Danny Masterson.

Dr. Anjay Rastogi

The physician at UCLA Health who is currently overseeing Phillips' care as she waits for a new kidney transplant.

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What they’re saying

“I need help finding a kidney. I'm asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt, and, most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter.”

— Bijou Phillips (Instagram)

What’s next

Phillips is actively searching for a living donor willing to go through the testing and evaluation process to potentially provide her with a new kidney. Time is of the essence, as she remains hospitalized and on dialysis.

The takeaway

Bijou Phillips' story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those with chronic kidney disease, even after a successful transplant. Her public plea for a donor highlights the critical need for organ donations, especially for those who have already undergone one transplant. Her situation demonstrates the emotional and medical complexities that patients and their families must navigate in search of a life-saving solution.