Julia Louis-Dreyfus reveals she has breast cancer
Julia Louis-Dreyfus attends HBO's post-Emmy awards reception on Sept. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles. Credit: Getty Images / Frederick M. Brown
“Veep” and “Seinfeld” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus has announced she has breast cancer.
“1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today I’m the one,” the seven-time lead actress Emmy Award-winner, 56, posted on Twitter and Instagram Thursday.
“The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union,” SAG-AFTRA, the post continued. “The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.”
“Julia is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes. We have no further details to provide at this time. We appreciate your understanding,” her representative Rebecca Sides Capellan told Newsday in a statement.
Among the star’s many well-wishers on social media wereher “Veep” co-star Tony Hale, comedians Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell and Sarah Silverman, actors Michael McKean and Anna Kendrick, actor-filmmaker Mark Duplass and actress and breast-cancer survivor Christina Applegate, who tweeted, “Mama, find me. Let’s talk if you want.” Director Judd Apatow tweeted: “Sending you love an strength but it appears you beat us to it and are sending the world love and strength.”
“Our love and support go out to Julia and her family at this time,” HBO said in a statement Thursday. “We have every confidence she will get through this with her usual tenacity and undaunted spirit, and look forward to her return to health and to HBO for the final season of ‘Veep.’ ”
A network spokeswoman told Newsday that Louis-Dreyfus did not receive her diagnosis until after the Emmy Awards on Sept. 17, and that the star’s health played no part in her and fellow executive producer David Mandel announcing on Sept. 6 they were ending the show. Months before, the network had closed only one-year deals with the primary cast-members.
The seventh and final season remains scheduled to air next year. “The writers will continue writing and we will adjust production as needed,” the HBO representative said.
Louis-Dreyfus has won Emmys for her work on “Seinfeld,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Veep.” For her role as Vice President and briefly President Selina Meyer on that political satire, the actress has won a record six consecutive Emmy Awards. As an executive producer of “Veep,” she also has three wins for Best Comedy Series.
