These Hollywood Star’s Twins Nearly Died as Doctors Fought for Their Lives for 40 Hours — The Blonde-Haired Survivors Are Now 16

Dennis Quaid, a seasoned Hollywood actor, has enthralled audiences since his breakthrough performance in 1979’s “Breaking Away.” With his versatile acting prowess, he has effortlessly slipped into various roles, portraying characters ranging from a lawman’s loyal companion to a troubled husband, from a 1960s sheriff to a deranged stalker.

Despite his illustrious career in film, the role that holds the most significance for Dennis, now 70, is that of a father. Prior to 2007, he cherished his role as a devoted father to his son. However, on November 8, 2007, his family welcomed twins Zoe and Thomas, marking a moment of pure joy for the actor and his wife, Kimberly Buffington.

“We were overjoyed to welcome those two blessings into our lives. They were both born perfect,” Dennis fondly recalled. The birth of their twins brought immense happiness to the couple, but their joy was soon overshadowed by a health crisis.

Shortly after their birth, Zoe and Thomas were hospitalized due to severe staph infections. Despite receiving intravenous antibiotics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the twins’ condition took a turn for the worse, leaving Dennis and Kimberly deeply concerned.

Meanwhile, as the twins entered the world, Dennis’s elder son, Jack Quaid, was carving his own path in the entertainment industry. Born to Dennis and his second wife, actress Meg Ryan, Jack spent his formative years surrounded by the glitz of Hollywood sets.

Growing up alongside peers with industry parents, Jack initially took his upbringing in stride. However, as he matured, he came to appreciate the uniqueness of having two actor parents. Inspired by their craft, Jack developed a passion for acting at a young age.

Attending Crossroads High School in Santa Monica and later NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Jack pursued his acting aspirations with determination, mirroring his father’s path by forgoing college to pursue a career in acting.

Despite being born into Hollywood royalty, Jack was determined to pave his own way in the industry. He never sought his parents’ guidance on honing his craft, preferring to establish himself independently. Nevertheless, he cherished their unwavering support.

“I was fortunate to grow up saying, ‘I want to be an actor,’ and they understood that,” Jack reflected gratefully. While he valued his parents’ encouragement, he was determined to succeed on his own merits.

During an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Dennis revealed his offer to help Jack secure representation, only to be met with Jack’s resolute insistence on forging his own path. True to his word, Jack secured an agent and soon landed his debut role.

Now an accomplished actor approaching his 32nd birthday, Jack has made his father proud with his burgeoning career. From his debut in 2012’s “The Hunger Games” to his breakthrough role as Hughie Campbell in “The Boys,” Jack has left an indelible mark on the industry.

Reflecting on his son’s journey, Dennis expressed pride in Jack’s growth, emphasizing that Jack had not only excelled as an actor but also emerged as a commendable individual.

While Dennis’s larger-than-life persona may sometimes dominate his children’s lives, particularly around his teenage daughter, he embraces the joys and challenges of fatherhood with enthusiasm. His deep love and pride for his children, Jack, Thomas, and Zoe, are palpable, underscoring the importance of family amidst life’s trials and triumphs.

Upon receiving reassurance from the nurse, Dennis and Kimberly opted to wait until the following morning before taking any further action. However, their hopes were shattered when they arrived at the hospital the next day and were met with devastating news from the medical team. “That was the beginning of probably the worst day of our lives,” Dennis admitted.

The medical personnel had inadvertently administered two powerful doses of Heparin to the twins, a medication used as a blood thinner. Dennis later revealed that the twins had received a dosage a thousand times stronger than intended, causing their blood to become as thin as water. When they saw their infants, they were horrified to find them bruised and discolored, with Kimberly describing the sight as “terrible” due to the severe bleeding. The overdose resulted from a series of errors that began with a pharmacy technician mistakenly placing high-dose Heparin bottles alongside low-dose ones, leading a nurse to pick up the wrong bottle without double-checking the label.

Dennis emphasized that such errors had occurred across the country, with some cases tragically resulting in fatalities. He suspected that the initial overdose of his twins occurred while both he and Kimberly were present, unaware of the gravity of the situation. For a harrowing 40 hours, the Quaid twins were under intense medical supervision, leaving their parents in a state of shock. Dennis described it as the “most terrifying day” of their lives.

Thankfully, after two days, the twins’ condition began to stabilize as the effects of the blood thinner wore off. Dennis firmly believed that Thomas and Zoe had survived for a reason, destined to “make a difference in the world” in their own unique way. He later advocated for improved hospital practices, stressing the importance of computerized record-keeping and barcoding to prevent similar errors in the future.

As the twins reached the age of four months, Dennis expressed profound gratitude for fatherhood and a newfound appreciation for life. He acknowledged that had they not survived, it would have profoundly changed his outlook. In response to the traumatic ordeal, the couple pursued legal action against the manufacturer of Heparin, alleging negligence in packaging adult and pediatric doses identically.

The hospital faced repercussions from state regulators, receiving a $25,000 penalty for the overdose incidents involving the Quaid twins and another newborn. Despite enduring a tumultuous period, Dennis and Kimberly’s focus remained on their children’s well-being. Following years of separation and reconciliation, they finalized their divorce in 2018. By then, the twins were thriving at the age of 10, serving as a source of immense joy for Dennis.

Today, as the Quaid twins celebrate their 16th birthday, their health and happiness are paramount to Dennis. He cherishes the morning routines shared with his two youngest, relishing the opportunity to connect with them over breakfast before the day begins. For Dennis, these moments of bonding and conversation represent the true essence of fatherhood, bringing him immeasurable happiness and fulfillment. As the twins continue to flourish, their family’s unwavering bond remains evident in their shared smiles and laughter at various events.