Darlington Michaels, renowned for his role as Papa G on the beloved South African soapie Isidingo, has reportedly been admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
According to ZiMOJA, Darlington was brought to the hospital after experiencing severe breathing difficulties. A witness at the hospital noted that he arrived by ambulance and required immediate oxygen support from medical staff.
This hospitalisation comes after a previous health scare in 2020 when he suffered a stroke. Speaking on Metro FM’s The Morning Flava breakfast show, Michaels previously revealed, “I suffered a stroke and this forced me to take a break from work and focus on my health. My screen time was cut short because of the stroke.”
The publication further states that an unnamed actor who previously worked with the veteran actor in theatre said they contacted him a few weeks ago seeking for help due to illness. The source mentioned to Zimoja that Darlington expressed frustration over not getting acting gigs and feeling rejected by the industry, which has made it hard for him to earn a living.
In addition, Darlington’s current situation has led to calls for better treatment of older actors in South Africa. Many believe that instead of only giving tributes after they pass away, these actors should receive more support and recognition while they’re still alive. A friend of Michaels pointed out that it’s sad how tributes come only when it’s too late, and that the industry needs to do more for its veteran stars as reported by MzansiJuice.
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