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Hilary Swank left fledgling Hollywood career to nurse ailing dad despite him leaving her homeless at 15

Hilary Swank was yet to cement herself as an accomplished star when her father underwent a lung transplant

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hilary Swank did not think twice before taking a step back from her flourishing Hollywood career in 2014 to care for her sick father. The actress was yet to cement herself as an accomplished star when her father underwent a lung transplant, so her absence from the big screen lasted a lot longer than she expected.

Hilary, 48, recalled how she became her dad Stephen Swank's "health advocate" and how the situation was prolonged as it usually "takes a year to see if an organ transplant takes." She further explained that a lung transplant is a rather intricate procedure considering it is "an incredibly delicate organ."

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A devoted daughter

During an appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in March 2016, Hilary offered an update on her father's health. She said he was doing well but noted that the surgery was complex. The actress recounted her horror when doctors said her dad only had a short period to live if he failed to get a viable lung. "Thankfully he got one and he's alive and thriving and well," she said at the time. Notably, Hillary's dad abandoned her and her mother when she was 15, leaving them homeless, but this didn't stop the actress from being a devoted daughter.

After a successful surgery, Hilary posted several photos of them together on social media while giving regular updates on his health. In a November 2016 Instagram post, she revealed her dad had made a full recovery. "He's 100% better after this lung transplant," she wrote, expressing gratitude for those who sent him well wishes.

The 'I Am Mother' actress shared another update in an August 2020 interview with Health magazine, revealing how it took years for her father to get better. "Thank God, prayers were answered. He is healthy and doing well five-plus years later," she told the outlet at the time. The star admitted the experience was "overwhelming" and required "a lot of energy." She also insisted that those taking care of loved ones should also take time out for themselves and not hesitate to express what they need from those around them for support.

 

 

Return to Hollywood

Hilary would eventually return to work with a role in the 2018 FX limited series 'Trust' and the thriller film 'The Hunt'. She also appeared in the 2020 drama series 'Away', in which she plays an astronaut. The actress also starred in the 2018 drama movie 'What They Had' where she played a wife and mom who was also caring for aging parents -- a mother with dementia and a father who is unable to believe her condition.

The actress explained that her experience with her father influenced how she portrayed the character and that the script from writer-director Elizabeth Chomko moved her. "Once my dad was better and more independent and able to get around on his own and do his meds by himself, [..] I didn't want to be anywhere that was so far away that I couldn't get back within three hours," she told Deadline, noting how the movie was filmed in Chicago, which was a "three-hour flight" from home.

Hilary admitted that nothing could have prepared her for taking care of her ailing father, especially since she would have to live with the decisions she made in the long run if something went wrong. "So, it was scary," she said. However, Stephen died in October 2021 at the age of 73. On New Year's Eve, the 'Growing Pains' alum shared an emotional post on Instagram, reflecting on the past year and how she had to take a break from social media for a couple of months due to her father's demise.

"In October, my Dear Dad made his transition to the other side," she wrote, noting how they "grew incredibly close" after she became his primary caretaker following his transplant several years before. They cherished every moment together as their relationship became more profound. "He will always remain one of my most favorite persons and not a day goes by that I don't miss him," Hilary added.