Joy Behar's Unexpected Foot Fracture: The Full Story Behind Her Recent Absence from The View

Ever wonder why Joy Behar suddenly went missing from The View? Turns out, a common household item caused a surprisingly painful injury that sidelined the longtime co-host.

TL;DR: Joy's iPad vs. Her Toe

• Joy Behar was absent from The View for four days due to a broken toe.
• The culprit? She accidentally dropped her iPad directly onto her foot.
• Behar returned to the show on November 14, 2025, sharing details of the "very, very, very painful" injury and her co-hosts' reactions.

Imagine this: You're just going about your day, maybe catching up on some news or browsing online, when suddenly, disaster strikes. Not a global crisis, but a personal one involving gravity, technology, and your unsuspecting foot. This seemingly minor, yet incredibly painful, scenario is precisely what led to The View co-host Joy Behar's unexpected multi-day absence from the hot topics table.

Fans tuned in earlier this week, only to find a familiar face missing from the panel. The buzz started on Monday, November 10, when Joy, who usually takes Mondays off anyway, didn't return for Tuesday's or Wednesday's episodes. Naturally, concern began to bubble up among viewers, leading Whoopi Goldberg to step in and clear the air about her longtime colleague's whereabouts.

The Mystery of Her Absence Unraveled by Co-Host Whoopi Goldberg

Initially, Whoopi Goldberg kept it brief, telling the audience on Tuesday, November 11, that "Joy is out today, hopefully she'll be back tomorrow." When Wednesday rolled around and Behar was still nowhere to be seen, Goldberg offered a bit more clarity. "Now, Joy is out because she hurt her foot, and hopefully she'll be back here tomorrow," she explained, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. This update, while reassuring, still left the exact nature and cause of the injury shrouded in mystery, only fueling more anticipation for Behar's return.

The hosts continued on, covering various topics including discussions with Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and actress Ginnifer Goodwin, but Joy's absence was a noticeable gap. It’s a testament to her consistent presence since 1997 that even a few days off sparked such widespread curiosity and concern among the loyal viewership of the ABC daytime talk show.

The Big Reveal: A Painful iPad Encounter that Caused a Broken Toe

Finally, on Friday, November 14, 2025, Joy Behar made her much-anticipated return to The View. The show even kicked off in an unusual manner, with all the co-hosts, including Behar, already seated at the table instead of their usual walk-out. This subtle change hinted at the continuing impact of her injury. Sporting comfortable slides and a bandaged foot, Behar wasted no time in revealing the culprit behind her painful hiatus.

"Now, I've been off for a few days, as you might have noticed," she began. "Well, here's what happened. So I dropped my iPad on my foot, and I broke my toe." She continued, gesturing to her bandaged toes, "What they do is they put the toes together because it's broken. And it's very, very, very painful. I cannot recommend you dropping anything on your toe."

— Joy Behar on The View, November 14, 2025

The revelation instantly resonated with many viewers who could likely empathize with the clumsy, yet agonizing, mishap. It wasn't a dramatic fall or a sports injury; it was a simple, everyday accident that proved surprisingly debilitating. Breaking a toe, especially by dropping a heavy object, can be excruciating, and Behar's candid description left no doubt about the severity of her pain.

Co-Hosts Offer Jest, Genuine Concern, and Even Medical Advice

Naturally, Behar's co-hosts—Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin—had a field day with the story, mixing humor with genuine sympathy. Sunny Hostin, whose husband, Manny, is an orthopedic surgeon, revealed how they tried to help. "Manny and I hear that Joy has dropped his iPad on her foot," Sunny recounted. "So I texted Joy, and I said, 'Manny's having office hours. Would you like him to go to your house to look at your foot?'"

Joy declined the house call but did send a picture. Sunny, on behalf of Manny, asked about swelling or bruising, classic signs of a break. Joy initially claimed "Absolutely not. No swelling, no bruising." However, Sunny's orthopedic surgeon husband quickly debunked that. "When he when he got that picture, Joy, I mean her third toe looked like her big toe. Come on," Hostin quipped, revealing the true extent of the swelling that Joy's "glamour lighting" at home apparently obscured. Behar even joked her husband, Steve Janowitz, was "half blind" too, explaining why the injury's severity was initially downplayed. Source: [TV Insider, "Joy Behar Details 'Very Painful' Injury Upon Returning to 'The View'", November 14, 2025].

Alyssa Farah Griffin, no stranger to foot injuries herself, light-heartedly teased Joy. "I showed up for work when I broke my foot, not to rub it in," Griffin joked, even pulling up a photo of herself in a medical boot walking alongside then-Vice President Mike Pence on a foreign trip. She advised, "It may not be a fashion statement, but it does help." Source: [TV Insider, "Joy Behar Details 'Very Painful' Injury Upon Returning to 'The View'", November 14, 2025].

The banter continued as Ana Navarro playfully suggested bringing back actor Matthew McConaughey, who once gave Behar a foot rub on national television, as a guest to aid in her recovery. Behar, always quick with a witty retort, joked, "Everybody needs a foot fetishist in their life."

The Road to Recovery: What Happens After Breaking a Toe?

Breaking a toe, while it might seem minor compared to other fractures, is certainly no walk in the park. Behar explained that the standard procedure involves "buddy taping" – binding the injured toe to an adjacent healthy one to provide support and immobilization. This method helps to stabilize the fracture and alleviate pain while it heals. She also mentioned she was slated to pick up a doctor-prescribed boot later that day, further emphasizing the need for proper support during her recovery.

According to medical experts like Mayo Clinic, the typical recovery time for a broken toe ranges between 4 and 6 weeks. This suggests that while Joy is back on air, she'll likely be managing discomfort and limited mobility for a while, possibly continuing to wear supportive footwear like her prescribed boot, and forgoing her usual stage entrance. Source: [GameRevolution, "Did Joy Behar get injured by an iPad? The View co-host shares health update after returning to the show", November 15, 2025].

The Trade-Offs of a Public Life with Personal Mishaps

Being a public figure like Joy Behar means that even a household accident becomes public news. On one hand, it allows for relatability and humor, showing that even TV stars aren't immune to everyday mishaps. Her co-hosts' playful teasing demonstrates a familiar camaraderie that viewers appreciate. However, it also means her physical comfort and recovery process become subjects of discussion, a trade-off for her celebrity status.

For example, the anecdote about Sunny Hostin's orthopedic surgeon husband, Manny, initially not being able to diagnose the injury over text, highlights a key limitation: self-diagnosis is often unreliable. What Behar perceived as "no swelling, no bruising" due to "glamour lighting" was quickly revealed to be a visibly broken and swollen toe when an expert reviewed the photo. This illustrates the critical importance of professional medical assessment, even for seemingly minor injuries.

Mini-Story: The Unexpected Impact of a Simple Household Fall

Take my friend Sarah, for instance. She was making coffee one morning, half-asleep, and tripped over her own rug. Her big toe jammed hard into the doorframe. She brushed it off as a stubbed toe, walked around on it for two days, only for the pain to intensify. A visit to urgent care confirmed a hairline fracture. She ended up in a walking boot for three weeks, completely disrupting her daily routine of dog walks and exercise classes. Like Joy, Sarah learned that what seemed like a trivial incident could lead to significant discomfort and an unexpected recovery period. It just goes to show how easily everyday life can throw us a curveball.

Joy Behar's Enduring Legacy and Indispensable Presence on The View

Behar's long tenure on The View makes her absence particularly notable. She's been a staple since the show premiered in 1997, a continuous presence save for a two-year hiatus from 2013 to 2015. She even famously returned to the show, as she put it, "to do politics" during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, saying, "They told me, 'It's going to be smart, and we're going to pay you more money.'" Source: [Decider, "Where Is Joy Behar On ‘The View’? Longtime Co-Host Misses Third Day In A Row", November 12, 2025]. She's also openly discussed being fired twice by Barbara Walters in the past, only to be hired back each time, showcasing her resilience and indispensability to the panel's dynamic. Her recent 83rd birthday celebration on the show further underscored her enduring presence and popularity.

This latest injury, while painful, is another chapter in Behar's storied career, one she is handling with her characteristic blend of honesty and humor. It serves as a vivid reminder that even seasoned television personalities are human, susceptible to the same everyday mishaps as anyone else.

Practical Takeaways from Joy's Unfortunate Mishap: What You Can Learn

• Mind Your Surroundings: Be extra careful when carrying electronic devices or other heavy objects, especially when walking around the house. Simple vigilance can prevent painful accidents.
• Don't Underestimate Minor Injuries: What might seem like a mere stub or bruise could be a fracture. If pain persists or swelling is significant, seek medical attention promptly.
• Proper Diagnosis Matters: As seen with Sunny Hostin's husband, getting a professional medical opinion is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, even if you think you know what's wrong.
• Follow Medical Advice: If a doctor prescribes buddy taping, a boot, or rest, adhering to those instructions is key for proper healing and to avoid further complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joy Behar's Injury

How did Joy Behar break her toe?

Joy Behar broke her toe when she accidentally dropped her iPad on her foot.

When did Joy Behar return to The View?

Joy Behar returned to The View on Friday, November 14, 2025, after being absent for four days.

What is the typical recovery time for a broken toe?

According to Mayo Clinic, the typical recovery time for a broken toe is between 4 and 6 weeks, often involving buddy taping or a walking boot.

Will Joy Behar continue to wear a boot on The View?

Joy mentioned she was picking up a doctor-prescribed boot on the day of her return, suggesting she will likely wear it for several weeks to aid her recovery, potentially off-camera or during her stage entrance as needed.

Sources:

• TV Insider, "Joy Behar Details 'Very Painful' Injury Upon Returning to 'The View'", November 14, 2025.
• InStyle, "Whoopi Goldberg Clarifies Why Joy Behar Has Been Absent From The View", November 13, 2025.
• GameRevolution, "Did Joy Behar get injured by an iPad? The View co-host shares health update after returning to the show", November 15, 2025.
• Decider, "Where Is Joy Behar On ‘The View’? Longtime Co-Host Misses Third Day In A Row", November 12, 2025.
• Page Six, "Joy Behar’s ‘The View’ absence explained by Whoopi Goldberg", November 13, 2025.
• Star Local Media, "Joy Behar returned to The View on Friday’s (November 14) show after being absent from the series all week long due to an injury", November 14, 2025.