Orange is The New Black actress Michelle Hurst, who plays Miss Claudette on the hit Netflix series has woke up from a medically induced coma this morning. After sustaining injuries from a car crash during the holidays, Hurst has taken a turn for the better and is in stable condition.
Hurst’s spine has needed surgeries since her accident, so in order to perform the surgeries the doctors decided to put her in a sixteen day coma.
A fundraiser page has been set up in the Orange is The New Black’s actress’ name to raise funds for her hospital stay. Currently Hurst is in UNC Chapel Hill at the ICU unite and is finally responsive. The actress’ sister is asking for donations in order to help pay for any and all medical expenses. Hurst’s sister has also taken off of work to help take care of the Orange is The New Black actress. As of right now the fundraiser for Hurst has raised $8,684 of their $5,000 goal.
The fundraiser page set up for Michelle Hurst has been keeping fans updated with the Orange is The New Black actress’ progress. The current update says “She is progressing slowly, but progressing!”
Up until now this is the first we’re hearing of Michelle Hurst’s car accident. That said, that doesn’t mean her fellow Orange is The New Black cast aren’t pulling for her. Today cast member Natasha Lyonne tweeted support for her friend Michelle Hurst:
Michelle Hurst, aka “Miss Claudette”, was injured in a very bad car accident. More info @ fundraising page: http://t.co/MrR5E2awxQ #OITNB
— Piper Kerman (@Piper) January 16, 2014
Please give what you can to help Michelle Hurst – the amazing actress who plays Ms. Claudette on OITNB. http://t.co/vRatvCJSxk
— natasha lyonne (@nlyonne) January 16, 2014
In addition to Natasha Lyonne’s tweet, the real life Piper (Kerman) that Orange is The New Black is based on has also tweeted in support of Michelle Hurst’s recovery. Piper wrote a quick message to all the fans of the show:
“Please give what you can to help Michelle Hurst—the amazing actress who plays Ms. Claudette on OITNB.”
Orange is The New Black returns with its second season later on in the year. As far as we know Claudette will be included in the series, but we don’t know if the writers have decided to write Hurst out half way or how they are dealing with her accident over the holidays.
On the show Hurst plays Claudette, the tough-love inmate that for the majority of the season shared a bunk with the show’s main character Piper. So far Netflix has not commented on Michelle Hurst’s accident or the creative challenges this poses.
