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How many amputations has Dean Winters had? 'Oz' actor has been in constant pain since 2009

In a harrowing incident 12 years back, Dean Winters collapsed with a bacterial infection on his way to Lenox Hill Hospital

After undergoing several amputations 12 years ago, Dean Winters is still in constant pain. “I haven’t taken a step since 2009 without being in pain,” the 57-year-old actor said. “I’ve got neuropathy on, you know, on a whole different level where I can’t feel my hands and my feet. But if I stepped on a pebble, it’s like I go through the roof.”

In a harrowing incident 12 years back, Winters collapsed with a bacterial infection on his way to Lenox Hill Hospital when his heart actually stopped beating for 2 and a half minutes. He was revived by paramedics but had to eventually go through multiple operations and gangrene, leading to the amputation of two toes and half of a thumb. The “Oz” alum, however, has learned to live through his difficulties. 

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“It’s a very weird dichotomy. It’s like, it’s very hard to figure out. Nothing you can do about it,” Winters told Page Six. “I’ve been sucking it up because, you know, the alternative is not a place where I want to be.” Initially, Winters had turned down his iconic role as the character Mayhem in Allstate insurance commercials as he was undergoing a 10th surgery back then. He eventually gave in. “Allstate was relentless," Winters said. “It’s crazy if you look in the Webster dictionary, the Old English definition of the word ‘mayhem’ is ‘one with amputations.'”

Allstate is now reviving his Mayhem character. Not only this, but Winters is all set to work in various other big projects, such as a holiday flick called 'Christmas Vs. The Walters'. “I come from a big Scottish-Irish family, and we celebrated Christmas a lot,” he said. “Our whole lives, but I’m single with no kids, so I don’t have the immediate experience at home. But … I rely on the rest of my family for that.” Last year, the 'Rescue Me' star spent several months in Australia, shooting for 'Joe Exotic', where he plays Las Vegas-loving businessman Jeff Lowe. Winters had to gain 20 pounds for the role, while literally sitting in a Sydney hotel room under quarantine amid the Covid-19 pandemic. What worked in gaining the pounds was microwaving and gulping down several pints of ice cream.

Winters confirmed that the series, meant to shed light on the disturbing tiger industry, does not use any real tigers. “I took the job in hopes that people who hadn’t seen the documentary would just get really angry and just shut these zoos down because there’s no reason anyone should have any of these wild cats in their own possession,” Winters said. “It’s just horrible.”

Following his recent revelations, social media hailed Dean Winters for being a fighter. "I love #DeanWinters!! He is a warrior...," one user wrote. "dean winters is still in pain from his multiple amputations! we gotta do something bro!" another user wrote, while one said, "Protect Mayhem at all costs!".