Dublin, Ireland – July 3, 2025 – The fierce spirit of the Irish, known for its resilience in the face of adversity, finds an unlikely, yet powerful, parallel in the enduring saga of American comedian Kathy Griffin.
A woman whose career has been a rollercoaster of boundary-pushing comedy, unparalleled success, and profound personal trials, Griffin once again finds herself at the center of public discussion.
Recent paparazzi photos, depicting a makeup-free Kathy Griffin during a walk in Malibu, have ignited a fresh wave of concern and commentary, interwoven with the persistent fallout from her past actions involving Donald Trump and her ongoing, formidable health challenges.
At 64 years old, the often-glamorous star of screen and stage appeared strikingly natural, sporting her now-fully gray hair and a simple white T-shirt from her 2018 “Laugh Your Head Off World Tour.” To many, the image rendered her nearly unrecognizable, sparking a flurry of online chatter that ranged from genuine worry to harsh, often uncompassionate, critiques.
Social media, a platform that has both amplified and punished Griffin throughout her career, quickly became a battleground of opinions, with some comparing her stark appearance to Pennywise from IT and others simply asking, “Is she okay?”
This latest snapshot of Kathy Griffin arrives at a moment when she remains firmly in the spotlight, precisely because of a recent TikTok post. In this video, Griffin featured graphic imagery of severed heads of Donald Trump and other billionaires, a move that immediately reignited the intense backlash from the infamous 2017 Trump photo scandal – an incident that irrevocably altered the trajectory of her life and career. Yet, beneath the surface of the headlines and the polarized public discourse lies a story of extraordinary personal fortitude, a testament to a woman who, like the resilient spirit of the emerald isle, refuses to be broken by the storms she has weathered.
A Life Unfiltered: From Comedy Stages to Public Scrutiny
Born Kathleen Mary Griffin on November 4, 1960, in Oak Park, Illinois, Kathy Griffin’s age currently stands at 64, a seasoned veteran in the notoriously tough world of stand-up comedy. Her journey to comedic stardom was a gradual ascent, marked by relentless touring and a distinctive, no-holds-barred style of observational humor, often targeting celebrity culture and current events.
In the Kathy Griffin 90s, she began to gain significant recognition, particularly with her recurring role as Sally Weaver on the hit sitcom Seinfeld. Her character was a struggling comedian who famously opened for Jerry Seinfeld and later became a talk show host, often providing meta-commentary on the absurdity of the entertainment industry. This role, while relatively small, introduced her to a wider audience and showcased her sharp wit. She also had a regular role on the Brooke Shields sitcom Suddenly Susan from 1996 to 2000, further cementing her presence on television.
However, it was her foray into reality television with Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, which premiered in 2005, that truly catapulted her into mainstream celebrity. The show, which famously chronicled her attempts to climb the Hollywood ladder from the “D-List” to the “A-List,” resonated with audiences who appreciated her self-deprecating humor and unfiltered look at her life. The show earned her two Emmy Awards, solidifying her status as a comedic force. Beyond this, Kathy Griffin movies and TV shows include appearances in Pulp Fiction, Beethoven’s 5th, Fashion Police (where she briefly replaced her mentor Joan Rivers), and numerous stand-up specials.
Yet, this period of soaring success was dramatically interrupted in 2017. The infamous photo depicting Kathy Griffin holding a prop resembling the severed, bloody head of then-President Donald Trump sent shockwaves across the globe. What she intended as a satirical artistic statement was widely condemned as offensive and threatening. The fallout was immediate and severe. She faced a Secret Service investigation, lost endorsement deals, had her comedy tour canceled, and was famously fired from her long-running gig co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast with Anderson Cooper. This singular event, as she would later reveal, plunged her into a period of unprecedented personal and professional devastation.
The Unseen Battles: Health, Trauma, and the Fight for Well-being
The recent photos of Kathy Griffin’s makeup-free appearance gained particular traction not just because of the lingering Trump controversy, but also in light of her incredibly challenging health history. Her transparency about her battles has transformed her public image, revealing a vulnerability and resilience often hidden beneath her sharp comedic exterior.
In 2021, Griffin received a shocking diagnosis: stage 1 lung cancer, despite having never smoked in her life. This unexpected health crisis required her to undergo surgery to remove part of her left lung. The procedure, while successful in removing the cancer, left a lasting impact: it permanently altered her voice. The intubation tube used during the surgery caused damage to her vocal cords, leading to a noticeable change in her voice’s timbre and strength. This explanation addresses the common question: Why did Kathy Griffin’s voice change? The good news is, Did Kathy Griffin have a lung transplant? No, she did not have a lung transplant; a portion of her lung was surgically removed.
The health challenges continued into 2025. In April of this year, Kathy Griffin had a hysterectomy to address a precancerous condition. This proactive measure, while a significant surgery, highlighted her ongoing commitment to managing her health with proactive vigilance.
Beyond the physical ailments, Griffin has also been remarkably candid about her mental health struggles. In 2023, she revealed her diagnosis of complex PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), a condition she directly attributed to the intense and prolonged fallout from the 2017 Trump photo scandal. The public backlash, death threats, and feeling of being “blacklisted” took an immense toll on her psyche. She has spoken openly about experiencing symptoms like vomiting due to the trauma. This bravely shared diagnosis answers the question: What was Kathy Griffin diagnosed with?
Furthermore, Griffin has also been transparent about her past struggles with pill addiction and suicidal thoughts, particularly exacerbated during the darkest days of the Trump controversy. Her journey of recovery from these profound challenges, and her continued advocacy for mental health, has garnered significant support from fans and mental health advocates alike. They are urging compassion and understanding for a woman who has laid bare her trauma for the public to see, a stark contrast to the often-polished facades of Hollywood.
The Irish Resilience in Kathy Griffin
It is in her battles, both public and private, that Kathy Griffin truly embodies a spirit deeply resonant with the Irish experience. Her parents, Kathleen Mary Griffin (née Corbally) and John Patrick Griffin, were first-generation Irish-Americans. Growing up in a household steeped in Irish-American culture, Griffin inherited a heritage known for its tenacity, wit, and ability to navigate hardship with a blend of humor and defiance.
The Irish narrative is one often defined by overcoming adversity – from famine and political struggle to emigration and the fight for recognition. This resilience, often expressed through storytelling, dark humor, and an unyielding spirit, is strikingly present in Griffin’s own life.
Despite facing career-threatening controversy, life-altering health diagnoses, and deeply personal mental health battles, she has consistently pushed forward. Her tours, even in the aftermath of the Trump scandal, were aptly named “Laugh Your Head Off,” signaling her refusal to be silenced or defeated.
This very act of returning to the stage, to face her critics and connect with her supporters through humor, is a profoundly Irish act of defiance and survival. She has often infused her stand-up with tales from her family, giving audiences a glimpse into the cultural backdrop that shaped her unique comedic voice.
Looking Ahead: A Future Defined by Courage, Not Controversy
While the recent images have sparked concern, they also serve as a powerful reminder of Kathy Griffin’s authenticity and her journey toward healing. Her willingness to appear makeup-free, embracing her natural hair, speaks to a newfound comfort in her own skin, stripped bare of the need for external validation – a radical act in the celebrity-obsessed world. She is no longer just a comedian known for her biting satire; she has become a symbol of raw, unvarnished human struggle and resilience.
As for her personal life beyond the public eye, Kathy Griffin husband, Randy Bick, from whom she divorced in January 2025 after four years of marriage, was a supportive presence during her lung cancer battle. While she does not have Kathy Griffin children of her own, she has often spoken about her nieces and nephews, and her advocacy for various causes, particularly LGBTQ+ rights, highlights her compassionate nature and her desire to contribute to a better world.
The world waits to see what the next chapter holds for Kathy Griffin. Will she continue to embrace the raw, unfiltered honesty that defines her recent appearance? Will her comedy continue to evolve, reflecting the profound life experiences that have shaped her in recent years? One thing is certain: fueled by an unbreakable spirit and a heritage of resilience, the D-List Diva, now in her sixties, remains a compelling and utterly unforgettable figure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kathy Griffin
What has happened to Kathy Griffin? Kathy Griffin has faced a series of significant events in recent years. Professionally, she endured severe backlash and lost career opportunities (including her CNN New Year’s Eve gig) after the infamous 2017 photo with a prop resembling Donald Trump’s severed head. Personally, she was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer in 2021, requiring surgery to remove part of her lung, which permanently altered her voice. In April 2025, she underwent a hysterectomy for a precancerous condition. Furthermore, in 2023, she was diagnosed with complex PTSD due to the trauma from the Trump photo controversy fallout. She continues to be a public figure, performing stand-up and engaging on social media, often discussing these personal challenges.
What was Kathy Griffin diagnosed with?
Kathy Griffin has been diagnosed with:
- Stage 1 lung cancer (in 2021)
Complex PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) (in 2023), which she attributes to the fallout from the 2017 Trump photo scandal. She has also been open about past struggles with pill addiction and suicidal thoughts.
Did Kathy Griffin date Jack Black?
What is Kathy Griffin’s net worth?
Estimates of Kathy Griffin’s net worth vary, but reputable sources generally place it around $15 million to $20 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her extensive career in stand-up comedy, her hit reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, numerous TV appearances, comedy specials, and touring.
Did Kathy Griffin have a lung transplant?
No, Kathy Griffin did not have a lung transplant. She underwent surgery in 2021 to remove part of her left lung after being diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer.
What ever happened to Kathy Ireland?
Kathy Ireland, the supermodel from the 1980s and 90s, transitioned successfully from modeling into a highly successful entrepreneur. She founded a licensing company, “kathy ireland Worldwide,” which grew into a global empire, becoming one of the most successful female-owned businesses. She is a highly regarded businesswoman and philanthropist, still very active in her ventures and various causes.
Did Kathy Griffin do chemo?
No, Kathy Griffin did not undergo chemotherapy for her lung cancer. When she was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer, the cancer was caught early enough that it could be treated with surgery to remove part of her lung. This was her primary treatment.
Why did Kathy Griffin’s voice change?
Kathy Griffin’s voice changed due to damage to her vocal cords during the intubation process for her lung cancer surgery in 2021. The tube used to help her breathe during the operation caused trauma to her vocal cords, leading to a permanent alteration in her voice’s sound, strength, and pitch. She has described it as sounding hoarse or breathy.
Did Kathy Griffin have a hysterectomy?
Yes, Kathy Griffin had a hysterectomy in April 2025. She publicly announced that she underwent the procedure to address a precancerous condition, which involved the removal of her uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
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