How Jean Smart cheated death for one more 'Hacks' scene?

Jean Smart disclosed that she disobeyed her cardiologist when instructed to go directly to the emergency room.

The American actress instead proceeded to film on Hacks first before she underwent triple bypass surgery.

The 74-year-old actress shared with Variety that she first used to deny feeling in the chest and exhausted as being out of shape.

"I was feeling a little tired. But I didn't think anything of it," the Babylon star explained.

She noted, "It didn't ever occur to me that it might be anything other than the fact that I needed to exercise more."

After calling her cardiologist following the office working hours, the service called her back immediately. 

"Yeah, you're gonna go to the nearest emergency room right now!" the veteran actress recollected.

Rather, she worked and later went to hospital where she was told that she had to undergo triple bypass surgery.

In 2021, Smart lost her husband Richard Gilliland and did not wish to disturb her children.

Therefore, had no family with her at the hospital, Hacks co-writer and co-star Paul W. Downs remained with her.

"I wasn't really scared until I woke up the next day, and I'm thinking about what they had to do," she said. "You start to feel so fragile."

The shooting of Hacks was suspended to allow Smart to recuperate. 

In February 2023, she shared her health crisis publicly on Instagram, stating, "Please listen to your body and talk to your doctor – I'm very glad I did!"