'Freaks and Geeks' star Jerry Messing says COVID-19 'left him partially paralyzed'

Jerry Messing endured a seriously scary bout with COVID-19, and the former Freaks and Geeks star exclusively updated TMZ on his condition for an article published Wednesday:

"First, the good news—Jerry tells TMZ after being hospitalized in August and placed on a ventilator, he's out of the ICU and off the ventilator ... has been for about a week and a half now. He's also breathing fine without a fever or cough, and has tested negative for COVID.

"Sadly though, Jerry says the virus has left him partially paralyzed. He can't move his arms and legs well, and is unable to stand and walk on his own. Jerry says he's doing physical therapy and using a machine to get his legs working again."

Messing was living with his parents in Tampa, Fla., when he began experiencing shortness of breath and low oxygen levels, as relayed by TMZ on Aug. 19. The "Fedora Guy" had received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Other than Freaks and Geeks, Messing had a supporting role in Disney Channel's Even Stevens from 2000-02, but his last listed acting credit came on teen sitcom The Brothers Garcia in 2003.