Theo Germaine Found After Mysterious Disappearance, Recovering from Severe Concussion
2 min readAstrid Stawiarz/Peacock via Getty Images
Theo Germaine, a nonbinary Netflix actor celebrated for their role in The Politician, was recently found after a harrowing ordeal that left them badly concussed and disoriented. Germaine’s partner, William Rusan, had alerted the public to their disappearance over the weekend, describing the situation as an “emergency” due to signs of a severe brain injury.
Rusan’s initial posts, shared early Sunday, revealed that Theo Germaine had been missing since late Saturday afternoon, exhibiting symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. He noted that Germaine’s phone was uncharged and they were disoriented, prompting an urgent search. Sharing photos and their partner’s preferred pronouns, Rusan urged anyone with information to reach out immediately.
Six hours later, Rusan provided the much-needed update that Theo Germaine had been located. “Theo has been found badly concussed, cold, and out of sorts but otherwise unharmed,” he shared on social media. While details of the incident remain scarce, the actor is now under medical care and recovering at home in Chicago. Rusan expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, emphasizing that privacy will be crucial for Germaine’s healing process.
Theo Germaine rose to fame in 2019 with their role in Netflix’s The Politician, portraying a transgender character navigating high school life. They later starred in Showtime’s Work in Progress and the 2022 LGBTQ-themed horror film They/Them, alongside Kevin Bacon. Throughout their career, Germaine has been a vocal advocate for queer representation in Hollywood, striving for roles that extend beyond the limited narratives traditionally afforded to trans and nonbinary actors.
In past interviews, Germaine has shared their journey of exploring gender identity, transitioning from identifying as transgender in their late teens to embracing a nonbinary identity. Reflecting on their experiences growing up in a conservative Illinois town, they described grappling with gender dysphoria from an early age, even as a toddler.
While Theo Germaine is expected to recover from their injuries, Rusan has warned that they may temporarily struggle with screen use due to the concussions. No further details about the incident leading to their condition have been released. For now, fans and supporters are relieved to hear that Germaine is safe and focused on recovery, with heartfelt wishes pouring in from across the entertainment community.