Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell has made a name for himself over the decades as a cult icon, playing some of the funniest and most absurdly charming characters in movies and on TV. Known for a litany of incredibly popular quotes over the years, fans will recognize him for roles such as Ash Williams in Evil Dead and Sam Axe on Burn Notice, along with his long partnership with Sam Raimi (leading to roles in all four of Raimi’s Marvel movies). Sadly, the latest update from Campbell has many of his fans worried as the actor has revealed he has been diagnosed with “a type of cancer that’s ‘treatable’ not ‘curable.'”
In an Instagram post, Bruce Campbell shared that he has been diagnosed with cancer; he did not reveal any specifics on what type of cancer it is. He said this type of cancer is “‘treatable’ not ‘curable,'” admitting the shock behind the news before noting that things with his professional life are going to have to change.
The beloved actor said he is working to get healthy enough to tour with his new movie, which is titled Ernie & Emma, this fall, on which he is the director, writer, and star. The rest of the cast includes Cerina Vincent, Eric Martin Reed, and Ted Raimi. Not looking to garner sympathy or advice, he wanted to get ahead of the information in case it went public the wrong way, hoping to stick around and stay active for a long time to come. For the immediate future, he is canceling multiple comic-con appearances and cutting back on work. You can read the statement Campbell made on Instagram in full below:
“Hi folks, these days, when someone is having a health issue, it’s referred to as an ‘opportunity,’ so let’s go with that — I’m having one of those. It’s also called a type of cancer that’s ‘treatable’ not ‘curable.’ I apologize if that’s a shock — it was to me too. The good news is, I’m not gonna go into any more detail. I’m posting this, because professionally, a few things will have to change — appearances and cons and work in general need to take back seat to treatment. My plan is to get as well as I possibly can over the summer so that I can tour with my new movie ‘Ernie & Emma’ this fall.
There are several cons this year summer that I have to cancel. Big regrets on my part. Treatment needs and professional obligations don’t always go hand-in-hand. That’s about it. I’m not trying to enlist sympathy — or advice — I just want to get ahead of this information in case false information gets out (which it will). Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-bitch and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while. As always, you’re the greatest fans in the world, and I hope to see you soon! Much love, Bruce Campbell.
Campbell’s most recent credits include roles in Invincible, A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas, and Hysteria!. He also revealed in 2023 that two new Evil Dead movies, along with a potential animated project, are in the works. Particularly after Campbell’s diagnosis announcement, the status of those projects is now in flux. MovieWeb sends its best wishes to Bruce Campbell, his family, his friends, and his fans during this difficult time.
- Birthdate
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June 22, 1958
- Birthplace
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Birmingham, Michigan, USA
- Birthname
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Bruce Lorne Campbell