Evangeline Lilly reveals she has ‘brain damage’ following traumatic injury

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Evangeline Lilly opened up about a terrifying accident that has left her with ‘brain damage.’ 

The actress known for her role in ‘Lost,’ and who largely left Hollywood after appearing in a Marvel ‘Ant-Man’ film, surprised her fans on New Year’s Day with a shocking announcement on Instagram.

In a recent Instagram video, Lilly, 46, shared some unfortunate news about her concussion as she began the year 2026 – the Year of the Horse – late on January 1st.

The scan results showed significant issues, and my brain isn’t working as well as it should be.

She added, ‘So, I do have brain damage from the TBI, and possibly other factors going on.’ 

This news arrives almost seven months after she first showed disturbing pictures of her face, which she injured in a bad fall at the beach.

In a New Year’s Day post, she shared that doctors have confirmed she has brain damage resulting from her traumatic brain injury. While it’s reassuring to know her cognitive issues aren’t simply due to perimenopause, she acknowledges it will be a challenging journey to improve her condition.

‘Thank you all for always asking, for always caring, and for your continued prayers.’

I was so relieved to hear her say she’s determined to find out exactly what’s going on with the doctors, and then really commit to getting things better. It sounds like she’s taking charge and isn’t going to rest until she finds a solution, and that gives me a lot of hope.

‘I don’t look forward to it because I feel, like, hard work is all I do. 

It’s alright. The memory issues I’ve had since my injury have actually encouraged me to relax and enjoy the end of 2025.

Lilly described the end-of-year period as ‘the most restful’ holiday season she’s ever experienced. 

She continued, saying it was wonderful to be able to continue playing and experiencing life on Earth, and she felt incredibly thankful and fortunate for the opportunity.

‘That is my concussion update. Thank you all for caring.’

In May, Lilly took to her Instagram and posted a series of snaps looking bloodied and bruised.

The actress shared that she collapsed on the beach and fell headfirst into a rock, requiring immediate hospitalization.

When I woke up in the hospital, the nurses and doctor immediately started trying to figure out why I’d passed out, even before dealing with the cut on my face from the rock. I couldn’t help but smile faintly at their dedication.

‘”You won’t find anything.” I said with a woozy voice…’

Evangeline, best known for playing Kate Austen on the TV show Lost, recently announced her retirement from acting after two decades in the industry.

Last June, the Hollywood veteran remarked on Instagram about her departure from showbusiness.

‘I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision,’ wrote Evangeline. 

I’m incredibly thankful for everything I have. It can be frightening to turn away from traditional paths to success like money and recognition, but embracing your true purpose brings a deep sense of satisfaction instead.

Dharma is regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order. 

She hinted at a possible return to acting in the future, but emphasized that she’s content with her current life. ‘I could go back to Hollywood eventually,’ she said, ‘but right now, I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m excited about this new chapter and feeling really good.’

Prior to this, Evangeline said she wanted a standalone Marvel movie.

While filming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and playing her character Hope van Dyne/Wasp, the actress expressed her desire for Wasp to get her own standalone movie.

In February 2023, at the Los Angeles premiere of her film, Evangeline Lilly told Variety she believes it’s time for a standalone Wasp movie – a spin-off focused on her character, Hope van Dyne.

‘Do we agree? Anybody? Going once… going twice.’

The actress first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the 2015 film Ant-Man and has become a familiar face within the superhero world.

Evangeline explained that when she and the new generation of heroes first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the original team – Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, and others – were already well-established. They felt like newcomers trying to prove themselves.

We’ve quickly reached the heart of things, starting Phase 5, and it’s an exciting moment.

The actress previously revealed how she had plenty of input into the movie’s script.

She expressed a desire to share her thoughts and opinions on the matter.

I used to lack confidence when sharing ideas, often dismissing them before I even spoke. I’d downplay my suggestions with phrases like, ‘This might not be good,’ or ‘Feel free to ignore this, but here’s what I was thinking.’ It was an old habit of mine to preemptively undermine my own contributions.

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2026-01-03 19:34