WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Will Friedle was rushed to the hospital after discovering blood in his urine and was diagnosed with a kidney stone.
  • His wife, Susan Martens, urged action after noticing that the 50 year old actor had gone pale.
  • Doctors and nurses recognized Friedle as Eric Matthews, with one nurse performing his famous “Feeny call.”
  • Friedle has also spoken openly about anxiety and how it influenced his move toward voice acting.

“Boy Meets World” alum Will Friedle was rushed to the hospital last week after discovering blood in his urine during a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip.

The 50-year-old actor revealed the frightening ordeal on Thursday’s episode of his “Pod Meets World” podcast, as reported by Page Six.

Friedle told listeners that doctors diagnosed him with a kidney stone. His account made clear that the medical issue was not entirely behind him when he recorded the podcast.

The alarming episode began when Friedle got up to use the bathroom during the night. He noticed blood in his urine, but he did not immediately head to the hospital.

His wife, Susan Martens, then noticed another troubling sign. After she pointed out that Friedle had gone pale, the couple decided it was time to seek medical attention.

“I’m still in the midst of this thing,” Friedle said during the podcast. He joked that he might need to leave the recording early so he could pass the kidney stone.

According to Cleveland Clinic, blood in the urine is a common symptom of kidney stones. Friedle’s experience sent him to the hospital for what the article described as a short stay.

Even amid the health scare, the visit produced an unexpected dose of celebrity attention. Numerous doctors and nurses recognized Friedle from his years playing Eric Matthews on the ABC series “Boy Meets World.”

Do you think Elon Musk should purchase Facebook?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Conservative Mix, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

The attention apparently reached a level that surprised even Friedle. His hospital stay became an unlikely reunion between the actor and people who remembered his sitcom character.

“For some reason, on this day, in that hospital, I was more famous than I’ve ever been in my life,” Friedle said. The recognition added a surreal twist to an otherwise alarming visit.

“Talk about the perfect place to be recognized,” he joked. One nurse even approached Friedle and performed his famous “Feeny call.”

Friedle has previously spoken publicly about his health, particularly his extended struggles with anxiety. During a January 2026 episode of “Pod Meets World,” he discussed when those symptoms first entered his life.

The actor said he initially experienced anxiety while filming the final season of “Boy Meets World” in the late ’90s. At that point, the condition was new and unsettling for him.

“I was maybe six or eight weeks into anxiety, which I’d never experienced before in my life,” Friedle said on the podcast. He also explained that he had not yet begun openly discussing what he was going through.

“I still wasn’t talking about it. I’d been on medication for maybe a month, which is why I put on so much weight,” he added.

Friedle described that period in stark terms. “But my life was spiraling at this point. Badly.”

His anxiety also affected the direction of his acting work. During a 2018 appearance at New York Comic Con, Friedle explained that anxiety prompted him to pursue voice acting instead of roles that required him to appear on screen, according to Fox News.

As Friedle has gotten older, he has learned to manage his symptoms more effectively. He discussed that process during a June 6 interview with People, while making it clear that he does not view anxiety as something that simply disappears.

“I never tell people you get over it because you never do, but you learn to cope with it in such a way where it just becomes a nuisance,” Friedle said.

His latest health disclosure similarly mixed candor about a frightening experience with jokes about passing the kidney stone and receiving unexpected recognition in the hospital.


Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?

You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Conservative Mix. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.