Richard Schiff, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role as Dr. Aaron Glassman on ABC’s hit medical drama The Good Doctor, was hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. His wife, actress Sheila Kelley, who also contracted the virus, remains at home but is reportedly “still quite weak,” according to updates shared by the couple.
The news came as a shock to fans who have long admired Schiff’s onscreen portrayal of a doctor and mentor, a role that has become central to the emotional heart of The Good Doctor. In a candid social media post, Schiff revealed that his symptoms worsened, prompting his medical team to admit him for closer monitoring and treatment. “Covid update. Thank you all for so much love and support. You’re making it so much easier for @thesheilakelley and me,” he wrote at the time. “I was hospitalized to be closely monitored. Still here showing some improvement.”
Sheila Kelley, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and The Good Doctor, where she starred alongside her husband, also shared her experience with the virus. Kelley, who is recovering at home, admitted she has been struggling with lingering weakness and fatigue. Despite her condition, she expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans, friends, and colleagues. “We’re tough cookies,” she reassured.
The couple’s battle with COVID-19 unfolded during the height of the pandemic, underscoring the virus’s ability to affect individuals across industries, including Hollywood. Schiff and Kelley were transparent about their health struggles, using their platform to emphasize the seriousness of the disease and the importance of taking safety measures.
Production on The Good Doctor at the time was impacted by the couple’s illness, though the series managed to adapt filming schedules around Schiff’s temporary absence. Fans flooded social media with well-wishes, many pointing out the poignant irony of one of television’s most beloved fictional doctors facing a very real health crisis.
Schiff’s hospitalization served as a reminder of the unpredictability of COVID-19. Although he eventually recovered and returned to work, the experience left a lasting impression on both him and his wife. “This is not something to take lightly,” Kelley said in a later update. “It takes everything out of you. We’re grateful for every bit of strength we’re regaining.”
The ordeal also highlighted the couple’s close bond. Schiff and Kelley, married since 1996, have often spoken about supporting each other through the ups and downs of their careers and personal lives. Their shared fight against COVID-19 further cemented that image of resilience and partnership.
Today, both Schiff and Kelley are fully recovered, but the episode remains a significant chapter in their lives—one that fans of The Good Doctor continue to recall with relief and admiration. For many, it reinforced the very themes the show itself has long explored: vulnerability, perseverance, and the power of compassion in the face of adversity.
