Jesse Eisenberg shared one of his most personal decisions while promoting his upcoming film Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. The actor revealed that he plans to donate one of his kidneys to a stranger. He described the choice as both exciting and deeply meaningful.
Jesse Eisenberg on donating one of his kidneys
Jesse Eisenberg revealed during his appearance on the TODAY show that he plans to donate one of his kidneys to a stranger in December. The 42-year-old “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” actor said, “I’m actually donating my kidney in six weeks. I really am.” He described the procedure as an altruistic donation, meaning he will donate to someone he does not personally know.
Eisenberg said his longtime habit of donating blood inspired him to take the next step, calling the decision natural. “I got bitten by the blood donation bug. I’m doing an altruistic donation mid-December. I’m so excited to do it,” he said. RWJ Barnabas Health defines these as non-directed kidney donations, where a person donates to someone with advanced kidney disease who doesn’t have a compatible family or friend donor.
He further detailed the process, saying, “Let’s say person X needs a kidney in Kansas City, their child was going to donate but isn’t a match, but somehow I am. That person can still get my kidney, and their child’s donation goes into a bank to help another person.” Eisenberg said this chain of donations only works if there are altruistic donors.
Eisenberg first thought about donating a kidney a decade ago but only acted on it after a recent conversation with a doctor friend who directed him to NYU Langone Health. He completed the required tests and is scheduled for surgery in mid-December. He added that the National Kidney Registry’s family voucher program protects his family, ensuring they receive priority if they ever need a transplant.
Eisenberg concluded by saying the decision felt “essentially risk-free and so needed.” He appeared on the show to promote his upcoming film “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” releasing November 14, 2025.
