Jesse Eisenberg explains why he donated his kidney to a complete stranger

Jesse Eisenberg didn’t need a compelling reason to donate his kidney. In fact, he did so for a complete stranger.

The “Social Network” actor sat down with Jimmy Fallon during Tuesday’s episode of “The Tonight Show” to explain the rationale behind the selfless act.

“Well, I learned about this, and this is just, like, something anybody could do,” Einsenberg said.

The donation was pain-free and the 42-year-old said he now lives a “perfectly normal” life.

“And somebody else who was on dialysis or dying is able to have a real life now,” Eisenberg added.

He also quipped that, due to the battery of health tests that kidney donors must pass to be eligible for donations, they often end up living longer than non-donors.

Eisenberg first revealed the decision to donate his kidney during an appearance on “TODAY” in October 2025. At the time, he said he didn’t have a reason other than “it’s really needed.” In fact, there are more than 90,000 people on the national transplant list in the U.S. and an average of 13 die every day while waiting, according to the American Kidney Fund.

While most kidney donations are done directly to someone the donor knows, Einsenberg donated his kidney through a nondirect donation at NYU Langone Health in New York, an act known as an altruistic donation.

Eisenberg was on “The Tonight Show” to promote his new movie, “Minions and Monsters,” the latest installment in the “Despicable Me” and Minions universe.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, the story follows the Minions as they attempt to make their own monster movie, only to unleash real monsters into the world.

Eisenberg, who voices the villanous robot Dort, described the movie as a clever ode to the history of filmmaking and a delight for kids.

The film is set to release July 1 in theaters across the U.S.

from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/mxLAJ5S