Tom Hardy has opened up about the serious damage his body has taken from years of performing dangerous stunts in action movies and training in martial arts. The actor, known for roles in Venom, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Dark Knight Rises, revealed he has undergone multiple surgeries and suffers from chronic pain.
“I’ve had two knee surgeries now, my disc’s herniated in my back, I’ve got sciatica as well,” Hardy said in an interview with Esquire U.K. He also mentioned dealing with plantar fasciitis and a torn hip tendon. “It’s like, it’s all falling to bits now, and it’s not going to get better.”
Hardy’s injuries come from both his film roles and his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He trains regularly despite the physical toll, even after two knee surgeries caused by BJJ. “One was from a sweep, and the other one was actually from the meniscus tear,” he explained.
The actor is currently starring in the Paramount+ crime series MobLand alongside Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren. His latest action film, Havoc, is streaming on Netflix. Hardy also finished Venom: The Last Dance, his final film as Eddie Brock.
“I loved playing Eddie in Venom,” Hardy said. “Juggling chainsaws… Put me on a unicycle and throw everything at me! I was just really trying to push myself as much as I could.” However, he expressed disappointment that his Venom never faced Spider-Man, a crossover fans wanted but never happened.
Hardy’s injuries date back to films like Warrior, where he broke ribs and tore ligaments. His intense role as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises also took a toll. On the set of Mad Max: Fury Road, tensions with co-star Charlize Theron led to a heated confrontation, which Hardy later admitted was due to his inexperience handling high-pressure situations.
Despite the pain, Hardy remains active. He still trains in BJJ two to three times a week and helps teach kids’ classes. “Now it’s more of a meditation,” he said about his martial arts practice. “I don’t need to win, I don’t care… I always get beaten, but that’s okay.”
Hardy has tried various treatments, including homeopathic remedies and stem cell therapy, to manage his injuries. “I think if it comes down to the wire and it seems the sensible thing to do, I’ll take advice,” he said.
His career continues with more dramatic roles, as he prepares for older characters like King Lear. “I’m at the bottom of the old-man ladder when it comes to characters,” Hardy joked. “I’ve got to grow into that.”
