Hollywood Actresses Who Had Serious Health Problems

Public figures often seem invincible, but many Hollywood actresses have faced life-altering medical diagnoses behind the scenes. These women continued to work on major film and television projects while enduring surgeries, chemotherapy, and chronic pain management. Their stories have helped raise awareness for conditions ranging from autoimmune disorders to various forms of cancer. The following list highlights the resilience of performers who navigated serious health battles in the public eye.

Selena Gomez

The star of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ was diagnosed with lupus and has spoken openly about the autoimmune disease. She underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 after the condition caused severe organ damage. Gomez also received chemotherapy treatments to help manage the symptoms and flare-ups associated with the illness. Her medical journey has included significant struggles with mental health and physical exhaustion.

Christina Applegate

This veteran actress received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis while working on the final season of ‘Dead to Me’. The neurological disease impacts communication between the brain and the body and caused her significant mobility issues. She insisted on finishing the filming of her show despite the physical challenges she faced on set. Applegate now uses a cane for assistance and advocates for others living with the condition.

Emilia Clarke

While filming the early seasons of ‘Game of Thrones’, the actress suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms. The first rupture occurred after a workout and required immediate surgery to save her life. She experienced temporary aphasia and could not remember her own name during the initial recovery period. Clarke later underwent a second surgery to treat another aneurysm and founded a charity to help brain injury survivors.

Selma Blair

Blair publicly revealed her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2018 after years of unexplained symptoms. The condition caused her to experience speech difficulties and impaired motor skills during flare-ups. She underwent a risky stem cell transplant and chemotherapy to reset her immune system and halt the disease’s progression. Her documentary provided an unflinching look at the daily reality of living with a chronic illness.

Sharon Stone

The ‘Basic Instinct’ star suffered a massive stroke and cerebral hemorrhage in 2001 that nearly ended her life. She spent years in recovery learning how to walk, talk, and read again after the incident. Stone revealed that the health crisis significantly stalled her career during her recovery period. She now advocates for brain health awareness and shares her survival story frequently.

Shannen Doherty

Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and shared her treatment journey with the public. Although she went into remission for a period, she later announced the cancer had returned and progressed to stage four. The actress continued to work and record a podcast while undergoing treatments for the terminal illness. Her openness provided a raw look at the realities of living with metastatic cancer.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Just one day after winning an Emmy for ‘Veep’, the comedic actress received a breast cancer diagnosis. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy to treat the disease. Production on her hit show was paused to allow her time to recover fully from the treatments. She returned to the series cancer-free and completed the final season with critical acclaim.

Kathy Bates

Bates is a survivor of both ovarian cancer and breast cancer. She kept her ovarian cancer diagnosis private but chose to speak publicly about her breast cancer battle years later. The actress underwent a double mastectomy and developed lymphedema in her arms as a result of the surgery. She became a vocal spokesperson for lymphedema awareness and research.

Angelina Jolie

Jolie discovered she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation which gave her an extremely high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. She made the decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing the disease. Two years later she also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a further precaution. Her choice sparked a global conversation about genetic testing and preventative health measures.

Sarah Hyland

The ‘Modern Family’ star was born with kidney dysplasia and has endured a lifetime of health complications. She underwent a kidney transplant from her father which unfortunately failed after several years. Hyland eventually required a second transplant from her brother to replace the rejected organ. She frequently discusses the physical and mental toll of chronic illness and multiple surgeries.

Jane Fonda

This legendary actress has battled cancer multiple times throughout her extensive career. She has received treatment for breast cancer and also had a growth removed from her lip due to skin cancer. More recently she underwent chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and announced she is in remission. Fonda continues to maintain an active acting and activism schedule despite these health hurdles.

Lena Dunham

Dunham suffered from severe endometriosis for many years and documented her pain extensively. The condition caused her significant physical distress and required multiple surgeries over the course of a decade. She eventually elected to undergo a total hysterectomy at a young age to end the chronic pain. The writer and actress has been instrumental in bringing attention to reproductive health issues.

Gabrielle Union

Union struggled silently with adenomyosis for years while trying to conceive a child. The condition involves endometrial tissue growing into the muscular wall of the uterus and causes severe pain. She experienced multiple miscarriages due to the adenomyosis before receiving a proper diagnosis. Union eventually welcomed a daughter via surrogate and shared her fertility journey in her memoir.

Julianne Hough

The dancer and actress lived with undiagnosed endometriosis pain for years before doctors identified the cause. She experienced severe abdominal cramping that would sometimes force her to leave events or stop performing. Hough underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the tissue and alleviate the symptoms. She now focuses on holistic health practices to manage the inflammation.

Daisy Ridley

Ridley was diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome at a young age. Later she revealed she had also been diagnosed with Graves’ disease which affects the thyroid. The ‘Star Wars’ actress experienced symptoms like racing heart rate and fatigue before doctors pinpointed the autoimmune issue. She has since adopted strict lifestyle changes to help manage her health.

Halle Berry

Berry was diagnosed with diabetes in her early twenties after falling into a diabetic coma. She has managed the condition for decades through a strict diet and regular exercise regimen. The actress initially relied on insulin but later transitioned to managing her blood sugar through lifestyle adjustments. She frequently speaks about the importance of nutrition in managing chronic diseases.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Sigler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 20 while starring in ‘The Sopranos’. She kept the diagnosis a secret from the public and her castmates for 15 years. The actress experienced symptoms like weakness and numbness but continued to work in television. She now openly discusses how she adapts her life and work to accommodate her mobility needs.

Cobie Smulders

During the third season of ‘How I Met Your Mother’, Smulders was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The tumors had spread to her lymph nodes and surrounding tissues requiring multiple surgeries. She was told she would likely never be able to conceive children naturally. However, she eventually recovered and was able to have two children despite the medical odds.

Fran Drescher

The ‘The Nanny’ star spent two years seeing different doctors before finally being diagnosed with uterine cancer. She underwent an immediate radical hysterectomy to treat the disease and has been cancer-free since. Her experience with misdiagnosis led her to start the Cancer Schmancer movement. She advocates for early detection and better women’s healthcare education.

Cynthia Nixon

Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram and initially kept the news private. Because her mother had also battled the disease, she was vigilant about regular screenings. The ‘Sex and the City’ star underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy to treat the cancer. She later became an ambassador for breast cancer organizations to encourage other women to get screened.

Olivia Munn

Munn was diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer in both breasts despite testing negative for the BRCA gene. She underwent a double mastectomy and several subsequent surgeries to reconstruct her chest. The actress credited her doctor’s decision to calculate her lifetime risk score for saving her life. She documented her hospital stay to show the reality of recovery.

Sofía Vergara

At the age of 28, Vergara discovered she had thyroid cancer during a routine checkup. She underwent surgery to remove her thyroid gland and received radiation iodine therapy. The actress takes medication daily to regulate her metabolism since she no longer has a thyroid. She emphasizes the importance of regular medical exams for early detection.

Melanie Griffith

Griffith has struggled with epilepsy for years and has experienced grand mal seizures. She revealed that high levels of stress would often trigger the seizure episodes. The actress reported that her condition improved significantly after she reduced her workload and managed her stress. She has appeared at medical events to support funding for epilepsy research.

Lady Gaga

The singer and actress lives with fibromyalgia which causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. She has been hospitalized for severe physical pain and forced to cancel tour dates. Her documentary captured the debilitating effects of the condition and her methods for pain management. She uses her platform to validate the experiences of others suffering from invisible illnesses.

Maggie Smith

While filming ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, the dame battled breast cancer. She wore a wig during production because chemotherapy caused her to lose her hair. Smith admitted the treatment left her feeling very weak and exhausted on set. She eventually made a full recovery and continued her illustrious acting career.

Elizabeth Taylor

Taylor suffered from a vast array of health issues including scoliosis and congestive heart failure. She broke her back multiple times and survived a near-fatal bout of pneumonia. The screen legend underwent dozens of surgeries throughout her life for various ailments. Despite constant pain and mobility issues, she remained a dedicated activist until her death.

Audrey Hepburn

The Hollywood icon was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer known as pseudomyxoma peritonei. She experienced abdominal pain that was initially dismissed before the cancer was discovered. Hepburn underwent surgery and chemotherapy but the disease was too advanced. She spent her final months in Switzerland with her family.

Mary Tyler Moore

Moore was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her thirties and managed the disease for the rest of her life. She became an intense advocate for diabetes research and served as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Complications from the disease eventually caused her to lose much of her eyesight. She wrote openly about the challenges of insulin dependence in her memoirs.

Rita Wilson

Wilson underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction after being diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. She had initially received a clear pathology report but sought a second opinion which found the cancer. The actress and producer took a leave of absence from a Broadway play to recover. She has since emphasized the critical value of getting second medical opinions.

Wanda Sykes

Sykes elected to have a double mastectomy after doctors found early-stage breast cancer. The discovery was made during pathology work after a breast reduction surgery. She chose the aggressive surgical option to eliminate the chance of the cancer spreading or returning. The comedian incorporated her health experiences into her stand-up routines to normalize the conversation.

Kate Walsh

Walsh was diagnosed with a benign meningioma brain tumor the size of a lemon. She experienced exhaustion and cognitive difficulties that she initially attributed to her busy work schedule. The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actress underwent surgery to remove the mass and recovered fully. She now urges women to pay attention to their bodies and not dismiss persistent symptoms.

Maria Menounos

Menounos underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor while her mother was battling stage 4 brain cancer. Years later she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. She underwent a successful surgery to remove the cancer and part of her pancreas. She has since become a health advocate focusing on early screening and wellness.

Zoe Saldaña

Saldana suffers from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland. Both her mother and sister also suffer from the same condition. She manages the disease by adhering to a strict gluten-free and dairy-free diet to reduce inflammation. The actress speaks about the fatigue and body aches associated with the disorder.

Jameela Jamil

Jamil was born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which affects the connective tissues in the body. The condition causes her to have hypermobile joints and fragile skin that bruises easily. She often shares photos of her skin and joint extensions to educate the public. The actress refuses to hide the visible signs of her condition on social media.

Amy Schumer

Schumer was diagnosed with exogenous Cushing’s syndrome caused by high doses of steroids. She also suffers from severe endometriosis and underwent a hysterectomy to relieve the pain. The comedian has been vocal about the physical changes her body has gone through due to these conditions. She uses humor to address the scrutiny she faces regarding her health and appearance.

Julie Bowen

The ‘Modern Family’ star has a cardiovascular condition that causes her heart rate to drop dangerously low. She has worn a pacemaker since her early twenties to regulate her heartbeat. Bowen has lived with the device for decades and treats it as a normal part of her life. She works to raise awareness about heart health in women.

Mila Kunis

Kunis suffered from chronic iritis which caused her to be blind in one eye for many years. She kept the condition secret while building her acting career. The actress eventually underwent surgery to replace the lens in her eye and restore her vision. She revealed the struggle only after the issue had been successfully corrected.

Olivia Newton-John

The ‘Grease’ star battled breast cancer three separate times over the course of three decades. She first overcame the disease in 1992 but faced recurrences in 2013 and 2017. The cancer eventually metastasized to her bones and became stage four. She spent her final years advocating for plant medicine and cancer research.

Kirstie Alley

Alley was diagnosed with colon cancer shortly before her death. The diagnosis came after she sought medical attention for back pain. She underwent treatment at a cancer center but the disease had already progressed significantly. Her family announced her passing and highlighted her zest for life despite the sudden illness.

Ashley Park

The ‘Emily in Paris’ actress was hospitalized for critical septic shock that affected multiple organs. What started as tonsillitis spiraled into a life-threatening infection while she was on vacation. She spent weeks in the ICU recovering from the severe trauma to her body. Park shared her recovery process to thank the medical teams that saved her.

Sheryl Crow

Crow was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. Years later she discovered she had a benign brain tumor known as a meningioma. She manages the brain tumor with regular monitoring rather than surgery. The singer and actress credits these scares with changing her perspective on life and stress.

Edie Falco

Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was filming ‘The Sopranos’. She chose to keep the diagnosis secret from the cast and crew to avoid disruption. The actress scheduled her chemotherapy treatments around her shooting schedule. She has been cancer-free for many years and advocates for healthcare access.

Please share your thoughts on these actresses and their resilience in the comments.