‘Avatar’ VFX Artist & Oscar Winner Hospitalized & Underwent Surgery After Appearing at Ceremony

Eric Saindon picked up his first Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards on Sunday evening (March 12) and went straight to the hospital afterward.

The VFX artist took the stage at the Dolby Theatre after winning in the Best Visual Effects category alongside his Avatar: The Way of Water collaborators.

Shortly after accepting the win and posing with his trophy, Eric was rushed into surgery for a ruptured small intestine.

According to a report by IndieWire, Eric, a senior visual effects supervisor, had been to the hospital before the ceremony but checked out.

He initially went to the hospital for “intense pain” and was tested for kidney stones and a burst appendix. When neither test led to a diagnosis, he decided to attend the show on some pain killers.

He left the press room after appearing onstage to return to the hospital, where he was finally diagnosed and taken into surgery. He has since recovered and seems to be doing well.

“He’s doing okay and recovering as we speak. I’m just glad he left when he did. A rupture is serious stuff,” a source told ET.

We’re so glad that Eric is feeling better and are sending him well wishes and congratulations on his win!

See who else picked up awards at the ceremony.