Actor Jerry Edward Messing, the famous face of the popular “Fedora Guy” internet meme, has been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19.
The health emergency began two days ago after the 35-year-old “Freaks and Geeks” actor, who lives with his parents in Tampa, Fla., started feeling ill and struggled to breathe, his father, James Messing, told TMZ.
While the Los Angeles native insisted he was fine at the time, his breathing problems persisted the following day, prompting his dad to give him an oxygen test, which revealed that his levels were alarmingly low.
James immediately rushed his son to the hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on a ventilator, TMZ reported. The poor soul had reportedly been diagnosed with the disease in between receiving his first and second Pfizer vaccinations.
Jerry’s parents also started to feel ill around the same time as their son despite both being fully vaccinated, according to the outlet. Fortunately, James has since tested negative, while Jerry’s mom is still awaiting her results.
Visitors are currently barred from seeing Jerry as he fights for his life.
The celeb is perhaps most famous for spawning the viral “Fedora Guy” internet meme, which depicts the actor smiling and tipping his brimmed hat toward the camera.
He also had several supporting TV roles, including playing Gordon Crisp on the short-lived NBC cult dramedy “Freaks and Geeks” and Pugsley on the “Addams Family Reunion” TV movie. The former child actor also appeared on Disney Channel’s “Even Stevens” and “The Brothers Garcia.”
