Netflix star Zach Gilford reveals shocking change to face due to major health issue

Criminal Minds: Evolution actor Zach Gilford had to go to the hospital after he started looking unrecognisable when his face puffed up from a mystery health issue

Netflix actor Zach Gilford shared pictures of the horrifying swelling on his face after wrapping filming for Criminal Minds: Evolution.

The Midnight Mass star, 42, took to his Instagram Stories to share selfies of his puffy face and admitted to fans that he was grateful he finished filming Criminal Minds before his face started to swell up. However, the Friday Night Lights actor didn't explain why his face was swollen.

"Sooooooo... Yesterday was fun," he captioned the first photo of his drastically different face. He later returned to share a picture of himself wearing a face mask with noticibly puffier face. His face was so swollen one of his eyes was forced shut. He wrote: "Good thing we wrapped @criminalminds last week."

After seeing the doctor, Zach thanked staff for their help as he showcased his slowly recovering face. The star said: "Thanks to all the nurses, doctors, and staff at @huntingtonhospital for coaxing my face back to normalcy...still a little ways to go.” Fans rushed to wish him well on social media, with many asking whether he had an allergic reaction.

"Obviously you are allergic to something! Hope you find out what it is so you can avoid it in the future! Feel better soon!!!" one user said while another posted: "O’Lord, what caused his face to be swollen like that all allergies??" One fan commented: "This looks very painful."

However, Zach has not specified why his face was swollen. Zach recently wrapped filming for the revival of Criminal Minds, where he plays a prolific serial killer called Elias Voit. He starred in the first and second season, but was only due to play a part in season one of the beloved show.

Back in August, Zach told Us Weekly: "I only signed a one-year deal. And part way through the first season, [showrunner] Erica Messer said to me, 'I don't know what's going to happen. We haven't figured out the end of the season, but we've decided we're not going to kill you. We want to keep you around.' So, I came back and was so happy to [do it]."

Zach even directed an episode of the crime series, with the star sharing his gratitude in a post shared on Instagram. He said earlier this year: "Final day directing @criminalminds. 8 days of fun. 8 days of learning. 8 days of humbling. Thank you to the most amazing and supportive cast and crew I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with."

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