Bill Nighy: The actor and his illness
A beloved actor known for his roles in a plethora of iconic films, Bill Nighy has graced the silver screen for decades. His performances have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and earned him legions of fans and critical acclaim. However, aside from his undeniable talent and charisma on screen, there is a lesser-known aspect of Bill Nighy’s life that has caught the attention of fans and curious observers alike – the condition of his hands.
According to rumors, Nighy almost always has her little ring fingers curled together. Young actors sometimes filled in on him, which we assume is a method he uses as part of his acting arsenal, the actor himself told the Guardian.
However, the Daily Express claims that the phenomenon has nothing to do with Nighy’s acting prowess and is rather due to him having a condition called Dupuytren’s contracture.
According to reports, the condition causes an abnormal thickening of the connective tissue at the base of the fingers, causing the affected fingers to freeze in place.
This causes Nighy’s pinky and ring fingers on both hands to curl inward toward each other. Although it got worse over time, the actor had been dealing with this ailment since he was in his 20s.
“It started in my twenties. As Night told The Guardian: “It was scary and I should have had them operate at the time but I didn’t because I was a mess and I was scared.
It means my handshake is scary.
The Northern Echo further quoted him as saying: “My last two fingers on each hand are permanently bent back against the palms.”
According to reports, Dupuytren’s contracture is a disorder that progresses over time and is now incurable. Surgery is an option for patients, but while it can help relieve symptoms and slow down the disease, it will not cure it.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) lists “Northern European descent” as one of the risk factors for Dupuytren’s contracture, along with “positive family history”, “male gender” and advancing age.
So the next time you watch a Bill Nighy movie, remember the man behind the characters—an actor who conquered not only the world of cinema but also his personal challenges with grace and tenacity. Bill Nighy is a true inspiration and his story reminds us all that our unique journeys make us truly remarkable.