Julia Louis-Dreyfus says she felt ‘backed into a corner’ to share 2017 cancer diagnosis

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus has explained her decision to publicly share her 2017 diagnosis of stage two breast cancer.

This week, 64-year-old actress and former Seinfeld star revealed on Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, that she felt pressured to discuss her health publicly eight years ago.

I remember when I realized I needed to share with everyone that I’d be taking a break from filming the last season of Veep. It wasn’t easy, but I felt it was important to explain that I was pausing to focus on my cancer treatment. It just felt like the right thing to do.

I felt pressured into making that decision because our show was canceled. It’s ironic, really, because I usually keep to myself, so I wouldn’t have done that otherwise.

She explained that she had to address the situation because the show Veep was paused for a year, leaving 250 people out of work.

The actress explained that being open about her breast cancer journey led to a wonderful experience: people started contacting her for advice, and she was able to help them through their own struggles.

Louis-Dreyfus shared that being able to do that after experiencing something difficult was incredibly reassuring.

She explained that helping others often comforts us too, and she genuinely believes this is the case. It’s not about being naively optimistic, but a real and effective way to feel better ourselves.

The comedian, who used to be on Saturday Night Live, received chemotherapy, had both breasts removed, and underwent reconstructive surgery.

In October 2018 she announced that after completing her treatment she was in remission.

During her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, she explained that she hoped sharing her diagnosis would spark a vital discussion about health and healthcare.

The actor explained how frightening it was to think about potentially losing health insurance while fighting his illness, something he was thankfully protected from thanks to his union.

She declared: ‘Healthcare should be for all.’ 

During her tough journey, the mother-of-two documented her experience on social media.

Honestly, one of the sweetest things happened recently. My sons, Henry and Charlie, surprised me with an Instagram video celebrating the end of my chemotherapy! They danced and lip-synced to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ – it was such a fun and touching way to mark the occasion, and it really lifted my spirits. It meant the world to me!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared a video in January 2018, writing, ‘My amazing sons, Henry and Charlie, made this for me today.’ She added, ‘It was my last day of chemotherapy – pretty great, wasn’t it? They’re such sweethearts!’

The TV star previously recalled the moment she found out she had cancer. 

In a 2023 interview with David Remnick at the New Yorker Festival, she revealed her initial reaction to the news was to laugh.

As reported by People magazine, she remembered winning an Emmy the night before and being surprised to find it waiting for her downstairs the next morning.

I was at the kitchen table, about to get a cup of coffee, when my doctor called with some shocking news: I had cancer.

She then highlighted her gratitude for having the support of husband Bill Hall and their two sons. 

I’m incredibly thankful for my loving and supportive family. It’s no surprise I was really scared – anyone would have been!

It’s funny, all the clichés are true. When you get that kind of news, your first reaction is disbelief – like, ‘Surely not me!’ You just never expect something like that to happen to you, she explained.

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2025-12-10 04:19