‘Felicity’ and ‘Heroes’ actor Greg Grunberg reveals why he’s bald

Greg Grunberg is sporting a new look nowadays, and he’s ready to talk about it.

The Felicity and Heroes actor and Talk About It co-founder took to social media to alleviate the concerns of fans and followers who have noticed that he’s currently bald. In a video posted to Youtube on Wednesday, Grunberg revealed that his lack of hair is due to alopecia.

“First of all, I want to thank everybody who’s like asking if I’m okay, you know, ‘What’s going on? I saw pictures of you, you have no hair, what’s happening?’ Well this is what’s happening,” the actor said in the video, removing a black cap bearing the Talk About It logo to reveal his bald head. “I, all of a sudden, got alopecia and I knew nothing about it. I’m still learning about it.”

Alopecia is a disease that causes hair loss. Most people lose hair on their scalp or beard area, but hair loss can occur anywhere on the body. While there is no cure for alopecia, treatment can help people regrow their hair.

Grunberg said it would be “hypocritical” of him not to talk about his condition considering that’s the work his company does, and he assured viewers that he’s dealing with his recent diagnosis well.

When it comes to how the actor was diagnosed with alopecia, he theorized that it was triggered by a knee replacement surgery he had in October. “I think it shocked the alopecia into, you know, actually presenting itself,” he said. “I think I probably had it dormant in my body for a long time.”

Grunberg also revealed that he has Hashimoto’s disease, and that combined with the pain medication he’d been taking for his surgery could have triggered the appearance of his alopecia.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Dry, thinning hair is a common symptoms of Hashimoto’s.

“What I’ve learned in this immediate, you know, just doing the googling and the searching and going on all these chat groups and everything, is millions of people have this,” Grunberg continued. “And I look good! I mean, I’m lucky, all right? I look good.”

The good-natured Alias star assured fans that he’s “dealing with this,” and that “this is the new look you’re going to see.”

“I don’t really care, but I just wanted to address this so you know what’s going on,” he added, going on to joke that he was thinking of getting a shirt that says, “You can call me Al.”

Grunberg concluded his video by stating that “everything else checks out” and thanking his friends, family, and fans for their support.

“All my tests are coming back negative, my numbers are down, I’m eating right, I’m exercising, I’m doing all the right stuff,” he promised. “No need to worry, everything is good… So thank you, I love you all. Thank you so much for all of your concern and your questions. It’s alopecia and a lot of people have it and a lot of people — most people — live well with it, so that’s what I’m doing, getting ahead of it.”

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Grunberg isn’t the first star to share their struggles with hair loss. Jada Pinkett Smith has famously discussed her experience, even dedicating an episode of Red Table Talk to raising awareness of alopecia.

Last year, Riverdale star Lili Reinhart revealed in a TikTok video that she had been recently diagnosed. In the video, she wrote, “was just diagnosed with alopecia in the midst of a major depressive episode.” The video featured her bathed in red light, and she explained further in the caption: “Red light therapy is my new best friend. #alopecia #mentalhealth.”

In the comments, fans sent Reinhart warm wishes while praising her honesty.

“Thank you for using your platform to bring awareness to this,” one follower wrote. “I have alopecia and my health and depression make it worse. sending love.” Another chimed in to say, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I’ve had alopecia for the last 2 years and know all too well how it feels. Hugs to you.”

Watch Grunberg’s full video above.