‘Blue Bloods’ Star Opens Up On Harrowing Health Battle

Jennifer Esposito, who is widely known for her role as Detective Jackie Curatola on the long-running CBS series “Blue Bloods,” recently opened up on a prolonged health struggle that affected both her physical condition and her career.

In an appearance on Maria Menounos’ “Heal Squad” podcast, the 53-year-old actress detailed years of unexplained symptoms that began early in her professional life in New York City, which led to multiple medical evaluations, a period of severe depression, and a brief stay in a psychiatric ward before she received a diagnosis of celiac disease.

Esposito described starting out as a young actor with an emerging career when health problems intensified to the point that she had to pause her work. “I had a whole life beginning in the city, and I was a young actor and I had to stop everything,” she said.

The actress reported becoming deeply depressed and experiencing thoughts of suicide as physicians sought explanations for her condition. “They brought me to a psychologist, like they had me on every medication,” Esposito recalled. “They wanted to give me shock treatment at one point because I wasn’t responding. I’m very sensitive to medication. It was a really bad time. And my mother had people pray over me.”

Physical symptoms became more pronounced while she was appearing on the ABC comedy “Samantha Who?,” which aired from 2007 to 2009. Esposito said she experienced hair loss and nail problems during her time on the show. “I had hair falling out, nails falling off,” she said, adding that she at one point lost a tooth. “I was mortified but also had been so ill that I just — I went hysterical. Like, somebody has to help me.”

Jennifer Esposito, who portrayed Detective Jackie Curatola on "Blue Bloods," recently detailed her “excruciating” visit to a psych ward while detoxing from gluten. https://t.co/4TKElVTjly pic.twitter.com/JWrI86DbBg

— E! News (@enews) August 14, 2026

Over time, various conditions were considered, including multiple sclerosis and irritable bowel syndrome. One therapist attributed the issues to stress. “Talk about gaslighting,” Esposito remarked before discussing broader approaches to medical evaluations.

“We don’t ever treat the actual underlying issue. We treat symptoms in this country, in America,” she said. In response, she explored alternative methods, including holistic healers, aura cleansing, a vegan diet, and attendance at a non-denominational church in an effort to feel recharged.

A turning point came during a drive to the church. Esposito described reaching a personal limit and telling herself that without a diagnosis she would have to accept she had created the problems herself. Shortly afterward, a piece of wood from a truck ahead struck her windshield. She pulled over with glass around her and interpreted the incident as encouragement to keep seeking answers.

Two days later, a doctor contacted her with the diagnosis of celiac disease. Esposito recalled the physician saying, “I’m not sure how you’re alive.” The case was severe enough that her liver was failing.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption and potentially producing a range of symptoms beyond digestion, including fatigue, anemia, neurological issues, and elevated liver enzymes. Treatment centers on a strict gluten-free diet.

Esposito removed gluten from her diet immediately, yet recovery proved difficult due to the extent of prior damage. She was severely deficient in vitamin D and developed welts upon sun exposure. “They had me on four Klonopin a day, and I was still a trembling mess,” she said. “I was literally sleeping in my kitchen because it was the only place that didn’t have a window, because the light — the stimulus from the light — would make me tremble and shake.” She added, “It was horrendous.”

Looking back, Esposito has framed the diagnosis as transformative. “Celiac disease saved my life. One hundred percent,” she stated. She believes prolonged stress in a constant state of high alert would have led to worse outcomes without the forced change in direction, noting, “I 100% would have been somewhere not good.”

RELATED: Longtime Fox News Star Claims COVID Jabs Led To Serious Health Crisis