Oscar Nominated Actor To Donate Kidney To Complete Stranger

Two-time Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg’s next major role will be that of a kidney donor, he recently told the TODAY show.

While discussing his involvement in blood donation efforts during a recent appearance on the show, the star of “The Social Network” casually mentioned he would soon be donating an organ as well.

“I’m actually donating my kidney in six weeks,” he told TODAY, adding he will be what’s considered an altruistic donor and will make the donation in mid-December. “I’m so excited to do it.”

An altruistic donor is a person who wants to donate a kidney to someone with advanced kidney disease whom the donor does not know, according to RWJ Barnabas Health.

In a separate interview with TODAY, Eisenberg described kidney donation as “essentially risk-free,” “so needed,” and “a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”

About 90,000 people need a kidney transplant, according to the National Kidney Registry. Donors can also get a voucher for a friend or relative to receive or be prioritized for a transplant through programs offered by the registry, which prioritize donors as well in the rare cases in which they need a kidney in the future.

Eisenberg is currently promoting “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” The heist film premieres in theaters on Nov. 14.