• Actor George Clooney said he spend days in the hospital with pancreatitis after losing 28 pounds for a new movie role. 
• Clooney plays an astrophysicist with cancer in the new film "The Midnight Sky", and said rapid weight loss for the role likely contributed to his illness. 
• Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes accidentally end up in the pancreas, causing inflammation. It is usually treatable but sometimes leads to life-threatening complications. 
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George Clooney was hospitalized with pancreatitis for days while filming his new movie "The Midnight Sky" after losing 28 pounds for his role as an apocalypse survivor.

The 59-year-old actor first shared the anecdote with the Mirror. His representatives confirmed it with Insider, adding that he recovered within a few days, but needed some time to heal before he could resume filming.

Speaking to the Mirror, Clooney said he believes his rapid weight loss caused the condition, in which digestive enzymes inflame the pancreas.

"I think I was trying too hard to lose the weight quickly and probably wasn't taking care of myself," Clooney told the Mirror in a Zoom interview. 

Clooney plays a cancer-stricken astrophysicist and also directs the new post-apocalyptic science fiction film, which is now in theaters. 

"It took a few weeks to get better and as a director it's not so easy because you need energy," said the actor, who is the husband of international human rights attorney Amal Clooney.

What is pancreatitis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreatitis can have an array of symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. 

It affects the pancreas, an organ that regulates digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin, which is responsible for controlling the body's blood sugar levels. 

Patients typically recover with rest and medical care, but over time, pancreatitis can cause scarring and lead to long-term health issues including infection, kidney problems, and pancreatic cancer. 

The cause of the illness isn't always identified, but risk factors include excessive drinking, tobacco use, gallstones, some medications, and a family history of pancreas issues. It can also sometimes be caused by excessive fats, or lipids, in the blood, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and is sometimes treated with a low-fat diet. 

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