Colin Mochrie is taking a step back to focus on his health. The star of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" has postponed his upcoming comedy shows due to a medical situation involving his eye. "Colin has been diagnosed with a detached retina and will be undergoing emergency eye surgery today," read a statement shared on his Instagram on January 2nd. "His medical team is optimistic about his full recovery, but he needs time to rest and heal."
The statement continued, "Colin is incredibly grateful for your support and well wishes. He looks forward to being back on stage and sharing many more laughs with all of you in the near future."
Retinal detachment occurs when the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from its regular position, according to the Mayo Clinic. The risk of permanent vision loss in the affected eye increases the longer the detachment goes without treatment.
At 68, Colin was initially scheduled to perform with hypnotist Asad Mecci on January 2nd and 3rd in Niagara Falls, Canada, as part of their HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis Tour. He was also scheduled to reunite with his longtime "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" costar Brad Sherwood on January 9th in Walnut Creek, Calif., before taking their Asking for Trouble Tour to Florida and Illinois later in the month.
Colin holds the record for most appearances on the improv comedy show with 431 episodes during its 21-season run. But despite his impressive streak, the comedian doesn't do much when it comes to preparing for his shows. "I wish I could tell you there was a grueling physical and mental warm-up. I just sit and have a coffee," he told Wisconsin's WTMJ in January 2025. "I've been doing this for over 40 years now, so I'm at the point where I'm incredibly comfortable walking out on stage in front of an audience who wants to see a show that we don't actually have."
