The Boys star Erin Moriarty announced that she has been diagnosed with Graves’ disease.
“Autoimmune disease presents itself differently in each person. The way you experience it will not be the same as mine,” Moriarty, 30, shared on Instagram on Saturday, June 14. “My encounter will be distinct from yours. It may vary significantly, or it may vary slightly. One thing I can state with certainty: if I hadn’t attributed it all to stress and exhaustion, I would have identified this problem sooner.”
Graves’ disease affects the thyroid by stimulating the body “to produce excessive thyroid hormone,” as stated by the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms may include irritability, mood swings, rapid weight loss, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and a decreased libido, among other signs. This autoimmune disorder is more common in women and predominantly affects individuals over the age of 30, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Moriarty explained to her Instagram followers that she has already seen improvement after starting treatment “a month ago.”
“After commencing treatment, I noticed a change within 24 hours. The improvement has been progressing ever since,” she remarked. “If you feel like your light is dimming, even slightly, please seek medical advice. Don’t ignore the symptoms and try to endure the suffering; you deserve to feel well. Life is tough enough as it is.”
The SAG Award nominee shared photos and text messages from her Graves’ disease journey, including a harrowing text she sent her mother at the height of her suffering.
“I’m serious; I really really need relief,” she wrote. “I feel nauseated tonight. I feel so s*** and removed from who I am, I can’t live like this forever. Or that long. There aren’t moments anymore, not even a passing 5 seconds, when I feel normal. I’ve never had that. Not one. It’s not just fatigue – it’s an ineffable, system-wide cry for help and I don’t know how long I can remain in this state.”
In sharp contrast to that alarming message, Moriarty included another text message to her father about how much better she felt after beginning treatment.
“I already feel a world of a difference, primary thought (as of now): ‘Damn, this is how I’m supposed to feel? I’ve been missing out,’” she declared.
Moriarty received huge support for going public with her diagnosis, with The Boys costar Susan Heyward and See actress Nesta Cooper both sending her heart emojis.
The Boys director Shana Stein also wished Moriarty well by replying, “So happy you’re on the road to healing.”
Moriarty rose to fame – and earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination – for her supporting performance in the 2016 drama Captain Fantastic. She followed it up with a well-received role as Hope Shlottman in Jessica Jones and starred in the 2018 true-crime comedy Driven opposite Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis and Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Lee Pace.
For the past four seasons, Moriarty has portrayed the reluctant superhero Annie January (a.k.a. Starlight) in Prime Video’s The Boys. The streamer confirmed Moriarty will return for the fifth and final season of The Boys, which is expected to premiere in 2026.
