‘Criminal Minds’ star Matthew Gray Gubler overcomes ‘legendary’ injury
Criminal Minds fans may have noticed star Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr. Spencer Reid, brandishing a cane for most of this season. That isn’t a plot point — Gubler messed up his knee pretty bad doing press for the movie (500) Days of Summer, and he’s been on the long road to recovery ever since. But these days his knee is all good when hunting bad guys on the CBS show, which airs Wednesdays. Criminal Minds is going on a break for a few weeks after tonight’s episode, and returns on March 3 with an episode Gubler himself directed. I talked with the Las Vegas native about his knee injury for this past weekend’s Who’s News page, and read below for more details about how his recovery went and the creative ways that helped him get through it.
Photos courtesy of CBS
We’ve heard from lots of readers who are worried about your knee.
I’ve actually started to feel like a regular person again. I forget which knee I even hurt at times, which is pretty amazing considering it was about a seven-month adventure. I really did a good job. If this were 50 years ago, they would have amputated the leg, so I got really lucky. It was a bad, bad injury. I just got a little too overzealous on the dance floor and managed to pretty much do something that most knee surgeons have never even thought possible or seen in their lives.
What was the official diagnosis?
I just basically dismantled the knee to the point where they were talking about experimental surgeries in Norway. They weren’t even going to try what they did because they thought it might be a lost cause. But they screwed me back together, hoping it would work and thinking it wouldn’t, and luckily my body completely took back everything. A lot of times, cartilage won’t re-adhere because there’s not much blood in it, but it was a miracle that it worked. I ended up not losing anything at all – I’m pretty much back to normal.
That’s great. So you won’t have a permanent limp?
I have a limp now and I’ve been walking with a cane for a while, but it’s going away. I won’t be permanently affected by this, which is pretty odd. It’s really a miracle. They were like, “This is one of the worst injuries we’ve ever seen.” They were saying it was pretty legendary. It’s going to go down in a textbook somewhere for sure.
At what point were you able to look at it and see it as “legendary”?
Moment one. The minute it happened, I knew it was pretty spectacular. I realized you could go one of two ways: I could take in the horrible reality, or realize that I’m lucky it wasn’t my right leg, because at least I can drive. Bad things happen – it’s how you deal with it is what makes it what it is. It made me a lot stronger and a lot more thankful for my leg. I really won in this situation.
When you showed back up to film Criminal Minds, did they try to write the injury into the show?
It was funny, they didn’t really seem to believe me. [Laughs] No one believes I could have done what I did. I think to the day that people at Criminal Minds have honestly no understanding of what kind of injury it was. They think it was just some sort of simple thing – people have knee problems, but again, if this were 40 or 50 years ago, I’d just have no leg. It was really freaking bad. And no one could really say either because it’s never been done before, so no one knew what the protocol was for rehab. They basically had no plan to follow because it was sort of a unique injury. I thought I was going to be out for four episodes on crutches, and it ended up being like 12. It was a pretty crazy thing. I had to have three surgeries. It’s a little hard to focus. It made the season incredibly tough just because when you’re in a constant state of mind-numbing pain, it’s not the easiest to chase criminals. But it made it good, and it was all for the best.
Playing Spencer Reid has been your signature role thus far in your career.
It was my first acting job, pretty much. I’m really lucky – I love the people I work with, I love the character, I love hunting criminals. It’s been a real adventure, and the knee only made it more fun. Even this injury has changed him and it makes my job a lot more fun because I get to see the progression of a human, as opposed to just Sisyphus pushing a rock up the hill or something. I know some people don’t like [Reid] – in the first couple of years, he was much more naive and innocent, he got kidnapped and a lot of terrible things happened to him that changed him for the better, and it makes him more fun to play.
You sketch drawings for your website, and you’re pretty active on Twitter. Do you like maintaining these creative outlets?
I’m a big fan of the classic showmen – P.T. Barnum, Walt Disney and people that never stopped entertaining. Actors I think have a bit of a problem in that they have to be picked to perform, which is what makes a lot of actors crazy in a way. They’re on the shelf waiting for someone to notice them, but I’ve never considered myself an actor in that regard because every day, whether two people see what I do or 18 million, I’m trying to do something to entertain. It’s great with the Internet and Twitter and everything, because I’m happy just doing stuff for my friends, but my network has grown and I have a lot of awesome fans who will watch dumb YouTube videos that I’ll make.
How much did those help you right after hurting your knee?
Oh yeah, that became a big push. The minute I hurt my knee, I started making T-shirts and stuffed animals and buttons, and I finally started writing this children’s book I’ve been working on. When you can’t move, you start definitely resorting to a little different avenues of getting stuff done. It was incredibly helpful on that regard.
Are you going to be worried about dancing ever again?
I’m on very strict instructions not to do anything until October of 2010. I can’t really do anything other than walk, so no running or dancing. I’m sure the show won’t believe me when I say that. They really have no understanding. They’ve called my doctor, and I think they think my doctor is like a paid actor who’s lying to them.
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Awww…I love early seasons Reid with all his naivety and vulnerability. I’ve only just discovered the show and am catching up with all previous seasons on boxsets. And thoroughly enjoying every minute of it too. Without a shadow of a doubt Reid is by far my favourite character and I’m loving seeing the growth in his character over the seasons. I’m very glad to hear you’re recovering and I’m very much looking forward to seeing more of you in S6.
when i looked at a picture of mathew gray gubler and it said, ( closed off from love, i didn’t need the pain, once or twice was enough, and it was all in vain, time starts to pass, before you leave it your past). now i know he didn’t say that directly but i knew after that , that i really liked him, well i liked him anyway. he is just so cute and sexy. and such a great model!
Matthew,
I love watching you on Criminal Minds! Your character is fabulous and has grown so much over the years. It is awesome that you are now directing but please keep playing Dr. Spencer Reid because the show would never be the same without you. I am such a huge fan!
Whaat are you talking about Matthew your the most popular person on he show! I mean go to youtube and look up criminal minds its all about you! the viewers love to see you as the main person in an episdode and thats why you werent as popular in the beginning. What viewers say is first f all to not go through with the spin-off minds 2.0 and also bring back Amber Heard. (hate it when an episode ends like it did n Somebodys Watching and dosent have a second part.=.( ) p.s. Me hes not a jerk you can see it in the way someone talks, things they do, and in actors the way they act. you can tell that he likes the show and is a happy fun person
its really quite amazing what moden medicine can do these days..ask any one whos been to aldenclinic.com
OMG UR SOOOO HOT!!!!! I DRAW FOR FUN SOOOO I HAVE LOTS OF SKETCH BOOKS FULL OF DRAWINGS THAT I DID OF U!!!!
i lov u matthew gray gubler!!!!!my mom hates it wen i talk about him all day!
Hey Matthew, We are very glad you are doing alot better. Try to keep doing what the doctor says to do to try to have a better recovery, because we are huge fans, and we love and care about you no matter what happens more than words could ever say. You will always be our favorite actor.
-Keyla And Kimberly♥
I love the fact that they used his injury and recovery in such an interesting manner.
In my opinion Dr. Reid is the most intersting charater and the one who has evolved the most without changing who he is at his core. He has become stronger and more engaging as the seasons go on, hoorah to the show for allowing that kind of true character growth. He really is one of the best characters i’ve seen on television in a very long time. Matthew’s dream may be to direct (by the way great directorial debut, it did creep me out) but don’t dismiss your acting, Dr. Reid is great because of his wonderful natural acting skills. I hope you get more chances to direct and that Criminal Minds goes on for at least another 5 years.
i watch criminal minds when it comes on.I watch it on ion. I think that DR. Spencer Reid is the best actor in the show.i like how he knows so much stuff
Hi matthew, my name is konstantina and i am from greece…!!!i really like your hair i think that is fabulous and i wiss to have your hair!you look so sophisticated as Reed in criminal minds where sometimes you get jerk.i don’t want to be rude but it is true.forgive me!i love you so much and i wiss you the best! yours,konstantina
Love this guy!
@me
Cute comment. He seems to nice to be true – does make you wonder if he’s for real and not really a jerk in hiding.
Your question made me laugh outloud.
first fan letter I have written,Ido not miss a night even watsh all the reruns .you bring much joy to your fans.
GASP! A children’s book? Truly an awesome idea. We (the fam) love his artwork and it would truly make illustrations phenomenal!
Hi Matthew !
I’m glad to see that you’re doing better.
It’s a wonder you managed to work like you did on ‘Criminal Minds’ despite your injury, you should feel proud of yourself.
And I have always loved Reid ! He has always been my favorite character on the show since the first season, and he always will be. He has a very strong fan base, just like you. People criticizing him just don’t understand what a wonderful, incredibly smart, selfless and compassionate character he is.
Thank you for your dedication and incredible work !
Wow. All jobs are the same, no matter how glamorous or mundane. The boss would come into the ICU if s/he could and say “Gee, he looks fine to me.” ” You’ll be back in tomorrow won’t you?” “Whaddaya mean he’s not conscious yet? He’ just fakin’ because I’m here.” “Wake him up!” I’m in the medical field and yet no one believes us either. Had a high speed dancing accident myself once, nothing as serious as yours, but recovery was long and tedious. Try not to be impatient. It sounds as if you’re not. Patience goes a long way to a full recovery. All the best.
Hey Matthew! So glad you are doing great. Keep doing what the doctor says – Oct. will be here before you know it. I am glad they were able to repair the damage. Sounds like you just had a freak accident trying to have fun. Your fans are ready for the next big thing that you undertake. Keep dreaming and reaching for the stars. You seem so sweet in everything I have ever read about you. I think that is why I am such a huge fan of yours. Make us more of your unauthorized videos; they are hilarious and creative. Take care of your knee and I hope I see you more often in some of the new episodes.
Every interview I read or see of his just makes me a bigger fan! I can’t put into words how much my admiration for him has grown over the months that I have gotten back into the social networking world…I swear his tweets and more make the sun shine each day for so many people, truly amazing!
Hey Matthew!
Your Army of fands is ready and waiting for whatever you want to conquer next!
Glad to see he’s recovering. Saw the video of him injuring himself on YouTube and it looked pretty bad. About his comment on people not liking Reid at first because he was naive and innocent, that is actually why I liked the character at first, but I guess he couldn’t stay that way forever or it wouldn’t make for an interesting show. Still miss the socially awkward and somewhat clueless Reid though.
I love this actor so much. He seems so sweet and genuine. I hope he’s not secretly a jerk.