Tom Arnold Spotted at LAX After Back Surgery, Jokes About Injury
Comedian and actor Tom Arnold was seen being wheeled through Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, following a recent back surgery. The 66-year-old star of True Lies appeared in high spirits, demonstrating that his sense of humour remains fully intact despite the medical procedure.
Details of the Surgery and Recovery
Arnold chatted amiably with Joe Andaloro from Joy.of.Everything while being pushed through the airport in a wheelchair. He revealed that the surgery took place at the University of Iowa Hospital, where he received treatment for a broken back. "Thank God I broke my back in Iowa because they did a great job," Arnold remarked, expressing gratitude for the care he received.
The actor now faces a period of rehabilitation as he recovers from the operation. He shared the surprisingly ordinary cause of his injury with a grin, admitting, "I fell out of bed... a terrible old man injury." This incident occurred after he believed he had regained full strength following other procedures at Cedars-Sinai over the summer, only to realise he may have overexerted himself.
Previous Health Scares and Lifestyle Changes
This back injury is not Arnold's first health challenge. In 2022, he experienced a mini-stroke that prompted significant lifestyle changes. He described the frightening moment to People magazine: "I was giving the kids a bath and turned around to count to 10... when suddenly my vision in my right eye went black, as if there was a curtain coming down." Although some vision returned that night, medical evaluations confirmed he had suffered a mini-stroke, leading to further tests at UCLA hospital.
As a 63-year-old single father at the time, with children aged nine and six, Arnold found the experience particularly alarming. He also referenced previous health issues, including massive organ failure two years prior. These events motivated him to overhaul his diet, adopt balanced eating habits, and make fitness a regular part of his routine.
Weight Loss and Personal Transformation
Through these changes, Arnold successfully reduced his weight from 285 pounds to 210 pounds. He explained the benefits: "Being overweight ages me. I can't be as active as I need to be with my young kids." The weight loss has improved his energy levels, mobility, and overall comfort, both in daily life and on screen. He noted feeling more confident about potentially dating again after five years and mentioned filming with Arnold Schwarzenegger while weighing less than during his True Lies days.
Arnold emphasised the positive impact on his well-being: "I feel much better about my body... I think I've probably added years to my life to be here for my kids." He now faces the mirror with greater acceptance, moving beyond just looking at his face to confronting his whole reflection.
Personal Life and Relationships
Tom Arnold has been married four times, with his marriages including:
- Roseanne Barr (1990–1994)
- Julie Lynne Champnella (1995–1999)
- Shelby Roos (2002–2008)
- Ashley Groussman (with whom he shares two children, divorced in 2020)
He has not publicly announced any new relationships since his divorce from Groussman. Despite his health challenges, Arnold insists he will not miss any work commitments, as evidenced by his travel through LAX and preparations to transfer to a gurney before the video of his airport appearance concluded.
