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Bill Paxton's Death, 9 Years Later: Inside the Actor's Sudden Decline After Planned Heart Surgery

Bill Paxton died from a stroke less than two weeks after undergoing planned heart surgery

Bill Paxton attends the 5th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 31, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California.Credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

The Apollo 13 actor received surgery to replace an aortic heart valve and correct an aortic aneurysm
His family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital and doctor who performed the surgery

Bill Paxtonwas a beloved actor who unexpectedly died after a planned heart surgery.

TheTwisteractordied on Feb. 25, 2017, at 61 years old. Just a few weeks before his death, Paxton explained that he had a damaged aortic heart valve as a result of suffering from rheumatic fever when he was a child.

On Feb. 14, 2017, Paxton underwent planned heart surgery with the intention of replacing a heart valve and correcting an aortic aneurysm. However, complications surfaced as a result of the surgery, and hedied after a strokeless than two weeks after the procedure.

Shortly after Paxton's death, his familyfiled a wrongful death lawsuitagainst surgeon Dr. Ali Khoynezhad and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for allegedly giving the late actor a "negligent diagnosis, management, and treatment." The hospitalsettled the lawsuitin 2022.

Here's everything to know about Bill Paxton's death nearly a decade after he died.

What was Paxton's childhood illness?

Bill Paxton attends day 1 of the WIRED Cafe at Comic-Con on July 18, 2013 in San Diego, California.Credit: Michael Kovac/WireImage

When Paxton was a child, he suffered a bout of rheumatic fever — an inflammatory disease that occurs after an infection from strep throat or scarlet fever isn't treated, per theMayo Clinic. The illness can "cause long-lasting heart damage, including heart valve problems and heart failure."

Paxton explained in a February 2017 interview on theWTFpodcastthat he recalled having a "bad sore throat" that got worse when he was in middle school.

"I spent a good part of 7th grade in bed," Paxton said. "I'd had a sore throat at Christmas. It had kind of gotten into my wrist, but it usually damages your heart valves."

Paxton further confirmed that it had caused damage to his heart valves. At the time of the interview, he credited this isolation period for inspiring him to get into acting.

Why did Paxton need heart surgery?

Bill Paxton arrives at the 2017 People's Choice Awards at Microsoft Theater on January 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

On Feb. 14, 2017, Paxton underwent a planned heart surgery to replace a heart valve and correct an aortic aneurysm when complications arose. He had the open-heart procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A.

The aortic valve is the most commonly replaced valve, according to theAmerican Heart Association. While the surgery can be lifesaving, it also comes with risks — including damage to the blood vessels, blood clots that cause strokes and infection, among others, perStanford Medicine.

Meanwhile, an aortic aneurysm is a "weakened or bulging area on the wall of the aorta that may occur anywhere along its length," per theorganization. The most common ways to treat an aortic aneurysm is surgery to repair or replaced the damaged area or medications aimed at reducing pressure and stress on the aortic wall.

How did Paxton die?

Less than two weeks after Paxton had open-heart surgery, he suffered a stroke and died on Feb. 25, 2017. He was 61 years old.

"It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery," his family said in a statement at the time. "A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker."

The statement continued, "Bill's passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable. We ask to please respect the family's wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father."

How did his family react to his death?

Bill Paxton attends the 48th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California.Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty

The year after Paxton's death, his family — including wife Louise Paxton andkids James and Lydia— filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Dr. Khoynezhad, who operated on Paxton.

In the lawsuit, his family accused the doctor and hospital of providing Paxton with "negligent diagnosis, management, and treatment" which contributed to the complications that caused his death.

The family alleged that Cedars-Sinai "misrepresented and/or concealed information relating to the risks of surgery and care that would be provided and/or failed to adequately explain the proposed treatment or procedure."

His family further claimed that the hospital "failed to disclose that [Dr. Khoynezhad] was going to use a high risk and unconventional surgical approach with which he lacked experience and which was, based upon information and belief, beyond the scope of his privileges."

In specific claims made about Dr. Khoynezhad, they alleged that he was "not in the hospital" when Paxton "began suffering the complications" and failed to arrange for "continuous care and coverage" for the actor when he was absent. Those factors allegedly caused "a delay in treatment resulting in damage."

"Bill Paxton and his family trusted the physicians and staff at this medical facility but instead Cedars-Sinai betrayed their trust," the family's attorney Bruce Broillet claimed in a statement at the time. "The surgeon's actions resulted in this tragic and preventable death."

In February 2022, Paxton's familyreached a partial settlementwith General Anesthesia Specialists Partnership for $1 million due to the agency's involvement in his surgery. The organization denied playing a direct role in the actor's death but agreed to settle to "reasonably compensate plaintiffs and avoid exposing the defendant to an expensive and time-consuming litigation."

Six months later, PEOPLE obtained documents that showed Paxton's family had settled the lawsuit with the hospital and surgeon. The terms of the settlement were confidential, and it took place one month before they were set to go to trial.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclav Urich

in

February 25, 2026

Bill Paxton’s Death, 9 Years Later: Inside the Actor’s Sudden Decline After Planned Heart Surgery

Bill Paxton died from a stroke less than two weeks after undergoing planned heart surgery NEED TO KNOW The A...

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Donald Faison (from left), Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Judy Reyes in 2001 during the original "Scrubs."

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