If you saw that scary video of D.L. Hughley collapsing on a stool at Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville, you probably felt that immediate pit in your stomach. It was 2020, the world was already on edge, and watching one of the "Original Kings of Comedy" literally go limp mid-joke was terrifying. Since then, people have been searching for answers about his health. Is it a chronic illness? Was it a one-time thing? Honestly, the answer is a mix of a surprise diagnosis and a long-term battle he’s been fighting for decades.
The Nashville Collapse and the COVID-19 Surprise
Basically, D.L. Hughley was rushed to Saint Thomas Hospital after that onstage incident. At first, the doctors and his team thought it was just the usual "celebrity" ailment: extreme exhaustion and dehydration. Traveling, performing, and the grind of the road will do that to anyone, especially at 57 (his age at the time).
But they ran a battery of tests.
That’s when the curveball hit. Hughley tested positive for COVID-19. What made it weird—and what he talked about a lot afterward—was that he was completely asymptomatic. No cough. No fever. No loss of taste or smell. He told fans in an Instagram video that he was "blown away" because he felt fine right up until he hit the floor. The only symptom he actually had was losing consciousness.
The Long-Term Battle: D.L. Hughley and Diabetes
While the COVID incident grabbed the headlines, it isn't the only "disease" people associate with him. If you're asking what disease does D.L. Hughley have in terms of a chronic condition, the answer is Type 2 diabetes.
He was diagnosed way back in 1998.
Think about that for a second. He’s been managing blood sugar levels while touring, filming sitcoms like The Hughleys, and doing late-night radio for over 25 years. He’s been very open about how this affects his life. It’s not just about skipping dessert; it’s about the mental load and the "lifestyle choices" that are actually life-or-death decisions when you’re on a tour bus in the middle of nowhere.
Hughley often uses his platform to talk about how diabetes hits the Black community harder. He’s turned his own struggle into advocacy, pushing for better health literacy and more awareness. He doesn't just talk the talk; he’s shared stories about adjusting meal plans on the road and finding ways to exercise even when he’s exhausted from travel.
Multiple Myeloma Advocacy (The Confusion)
Sometimes you'll see Hughley's name pop up next to "Multiple Myeloma." It’s important to clear this up: D.L. Hughley does not have Multiple Myeloma. However, he is one of the most prominent advocates for awareness of this rare blood cancer.
He partnered with Janssen for a campaign called "That’s My Word." Why? Because his father and sister both battled cancer, and he saw how diseases like Multiple Myeloma disproportionately affect Black Americans—who are actually twice as likely to die from it. When he talks about it, he sounds like an expert because he’s done the work to understand the disparities in the healthcare system. He’s trying to prevent other families from going through what his did.
Breaking Down the Health Timeline
- 1998: Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
- 2020: Collapses in Nashville; diagnosed with asymptomatic COVID-19.
- 2023-Present: Leading major national campaigns for cancer awareness and health equity.
Why Does Everyone Think It’s Something More?
People get suspicious. We live in an era of "secret" illnesses, and when a celebrity faints, the rumor mill starts churning out wild theories. But with D.L., what you see is pretty much what you get. He’s a guy in his 60s now (he’s 62 as of late 2025) who works incredibly hard.
Managing diabetes for a quarter-century is a job in itself. Add to that the lingering "brain fog" or fatigue some people report after COVID, and it’s a lot for anyone to handle. Yet, he’s still out there. In August 2025, he was back in Atlanta doing four shows at City Winery, looking healthy and talking about his grandkids.
Actionable Steps for Managing Your Own Health
If D.L.'s story makes you worried about your own health or a family member's, there are a few things you can actually do. You don't have to be a "King of Comedy" to take these seriously:
- Get Screened Early: Hughley’s advocacy for Multiple Myeloma is all about the fact that early detection changes the survival rate. If you have a family history of cancer, talk to a doctor now, not when symptoms show up.
- Listen to Your Body's "Faint" Signals: Dehydration and exhaustion are often warnings. If you’re feeling lightheaded or unusually tired, don't just power through it.
- Know the Stats: If you are part of a community that faces health disparities (like the Black community with diabetes and myeloma), be your own best advocate. Ask for specific tests and don't take "you're just tired" as a final answer if you feel something is wrong.
- Check Your Blood Sugar: Even if you think you’re fine, Type 2 diabetes can be a silent traveler for a long time before it’s caught.
D.L. Hughley isn't just a comedian anymore; he’s kind of become a living case study in resilience. Whether it's managing a chronic disease like diabetes or bouncing back from a viral infection that literally knocked him off his feet, he’s showing that being "sick" doesn't mean you stop moving.