Jack Wagner Supports Colleague After Medical Diagnosis: ‘She’s a Fighter, Man’

Hallmark star Jack Wagner sent his support to a colleague after she revealed a medical diagnosis that had initially scared her. The “When Calls the Heart” actor shared his kind words after “The Way Home” star Andie MacDowell opened up about her diagnosis of piriformis syndrome.

Not only did Wagner voice his confidence MacDowell would thrive after her diagnosis, he also shared sweet comments about his admiration for her.

Jack Wagner Wishes Andie MacDowell the Best

On January 24, Wagner chatted with Us Weekly and gave his Hallmark colleague a special shout-out.

“I just wish her the best,” Wagner shared. He added, “We manage these things as we get older.”

Wagner continued, “She’s a fighter, man. She’s an old pro. I hope that she continues to battle this and grow stronger.”

MacDowell and Wagner got to know one another while doing a Hallmark event in 2024. “We chatted quite a bit,” he shared.

He noted, “I look at her as a movie star that’s doing television now. She’s very down to Earth. She’s lovely, super talented.”

Wagner added, “She was very inspired and enthusiastic about being on the Hallmark Channel.”

‘The Way Home’ Star Worried She Was Falling Apart

MacDowell opened up about her piriformis syndrome diagnosis during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” During the episode, which aired on January 23, MacDowell revealed that after experiencing “shooting [pain] down my leg,” she worried she would need hip replacement surgery.

At its worst, before she had her diagnosis, MacDowell told Barrymore she “thought I was literally falling apart.” Luckily, that wasn’t the case. “The good news is my pieces are fine,” she added.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, piriformis syndrome develops when “the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve.” The condition can generate pain in the upper leg, hip, or butt. The syndrome is not very common but usually subsides within a few weeks after some basic treatments and rest.

In April 2024, Wagner reflected on his own journey of navigating getting older. As People noted, Wagner lost his son Harrison in June 2022 after an accidental drug overdose.

Wagner told People that his 60s have given him the ability “to be able to heal what I was unconscious of.” Finding ways to center himself and let go of what’s not important “is what real personal and spiritual growth is about, in my opinion. That’s how we heal.”