Comedian Tom Arnold proved his sense of humor is still going strong after a recent health scare.
The 66-year-old actor was spotted being wheeled through Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday following back surgery, chatting casually with host Joe Andaloro in a video that quickly circulated online.
Arnold appeared upbeat as he shared that he was already feeling better after the procedure, which he said was performed at the University of Iowa Hospital.
“Thank God I broke my back in Iowa because they did a great job,” Arnold joked, showing the same comedic timing that made him a fan favorite over decades in film and television, including his role in True Lies.
A Painful but Relatable Injury
Arnold explained that his injury came from an unexpectedly simple accident.
“I fell out of bed,” he said with a grin, calling it a “terrible old man injury.”
The actor added that he had recently undergone other medical procedures over the summer and believed he had fully recovered.
Feeling strong again, he pushed himself too hard while spending time with his children.
“I played basketball for three hours with my son, then took my daughter to the galleria for three hours,” he said, laughing. “Turns out you gotta take it easy.”
Arnold said he now faces a period of rehabilitation but insisted he hopes to stay busy and keep working while he heals.
Health Challenges in Recent Years
This isn’t the first health scare Arnold has spoken about publicly.
In 2022, he revealed that he suffered a mini-stroke that forced him to rethink his lifestyle and prioritize his health.
At the time, Arnold described suddenly losing vision in one eye while bathing his children, prompting doctors to run additional tests.
Though his symptoms improved, the experience shook him.
“As a 63-year-old single father of a 9- and 6-year-old, it was scary,” he shared with PEOPLE, explaining that he wanted to make major changes to be there for his kids.
Arnold also mentioned a previous episode of organ failure, which further motivated him to focus on better self-care.
Since then, he has spoken about improving his habits and staying mindful of his physical limits.
Even amid recovery from surgery, Arnold’s outlook remained positive as he joked with airport staff and fans.
The moment highlighted the resilience that has defined his long career—facing setbacks with humor and honesty while keeping fans updated along the way.
For Arnold, the road to recovery may take time, but his trademark wit—and determination—haven’t gone anywhere.
