Emmy-winning comedic actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus says that she is battling breast cancer and highlighted the case concerning universal healthcare. The actress took to social media on Thursday to announce the news.
Earlier this month, she took home her sixth consecutive Emmy and set the record for most wins for a performance in the same role for the same series.
Opening up about her battle
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has breast cancer, she announced on Thursday, less than two weeks after her record-setting Emmy win for ‘Veep.’
She prefaced the social media posts with the line: “Just when you thought…”
“1 in 8 women get breast cancer,” Louis-Dreyfus wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “Today, I’m the one.”
“The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring friends, and fantastic insurance through my union,” she wrote
She then immediately shifted the conversation to health care and cancer research.
“The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality.”
The ‘Veep’ star did not provide any further details about her diagnosis. “Julia is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes,” her rep shared via a statement.
“Our love and support go out to Julia and her family at this time. 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,” HBO said in a statement.
Just when you thought… pic.twitter.com/SbtYChwiEj
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 28, 2017
Support and love
The news was met with words of support from fellow performers, a cancer survivor, and a former vice president.
The actress Christina Applegate replied to Louis-Dreyfus’s post, saying: “Mama, find me. Let’s talk if you want.”
Applegate, like actress Angelina Jolie, had a double mastectomy following her diagnosis after she learned she’s a carrier of the BRCA gene mutation.
Jolie was not diagnosed with cancer but said in a New York Times op-ed that she had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 percent chance of having ovarian cancer, which informed her decision to have a double mastectomy.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce tumor suppressor proteins, and repair damaged DNA, according to Cancer.gov. When the genes mutate, DNA is not repaired properly and cells are likely to develop genetic alterations that can become cancerous, according to the site.
Louis-Dreyfus’ did not address whether she has the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
Mama, find me. Let's talk if you want
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) September 28, 2017
Jason Alexander expressed his support to ‘Seinfeld’ co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus after she broke the news, showing that George Costanza will always be there for Elaine Benes.
For nine seasons — from 1990 to 1998 — Alexander and Louis-Dreyfus starred in the NBC comedy and was a part of everyone’s favorite foursome along with Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Richards.
@OfficialJLD so sorry you have to go thru this, pal, but I know you will prevail. We are here if/when you need and we love you. ❤️🌈
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) September 29, 2017
Even The Bidens showed some solidarity
Joe Biden, the former vice president, offered a moment of solidarity in a tweet, saying: “We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens are with you, Julia.”
Louis-Dreyfus played the first woman vice president Selina Meyer, on the show ‘Veep,’ and she and Biden appeared together in a video sketch for the 2014 White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
In the video, the two joined forces as veep and pseudo-veep to sneak into the oval office, steal ice cream from the White House kitchen and chat with then-House Speaker John Boehner.
We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia. pic.twitter.com/JP0c2wtrJ6
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 28, 2017
Armando Iannucci, the show’s creator, tweeted on Thursday shortly after the announcement.
It is possible to be dignified and fierce at the same time. I, and millions others, send Julia our love and support. https://t.co/XpVsiQrmj6
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) September 28, 2017
A slew of celebrities tweeted in support of Louis-Dreyfus, including Ellen DeGeneres, Sarah Silverman, Debra Messing, Ken Jeong and Kathy Griffin.
I love you, @OfficialJLD. https://t.co/X2RUJPD21p
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 28, 2017
J sending all my healing energy your way. You are incredible to use this moment as an opportunity to support others. Thank you. Much love xd https://t.co/okgfVDUeAW
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) September 28, 2017
Julia, you're in our thoughts and our hearts. Inspired but not surprised to see you using your platform for good in this difficult moment.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 28, 2017
Your undaunted spirit has always been an inspiration to your family at HBO. Sending our love and support. https://t.co/fox4buJqiN
— HBO (@HBO) September 28, 2017
I love @OfficialJLD, she's one of the strongest people I know and cancer is gonna be real sorry it tried any weird moves on her.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 29, 2017
Crappy news. I wish you the very best in your fight & recovery. You're the most inspirational woman & I know you'll kick this 🙌🏼 🍀💙 pic.twitter.com/U14C5A7nK4
— Bianca Westwood (@beewestwood) September 28, 2017
Sending love and best wishes to @OfficialJLD and her family. ❤️ https://t.co/GVF56Y3S2K
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) September 28, 2017
The last ‘Veep’ season
Louis-Dreyfus learned she had cancer on Sept. 18, the day after the Primetime Emmy Awards, an HBO spokeswoman said on Thursday.
However, the news played no part in the decision to make next season of ‘Veep’ its last, the spokeswoman said.
“The writers will continue writing, and the production schedule will be adjusted as needed,” she added. The comedy’s last season will air in 2018.
Louis-Dreyfus this year earned her sixth consecutive Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Selina Meyer, the vice president turned president turned ex-president, on the hit HBO comedy ‘Veep’ — giving her the most Emmy wins by a performer in one role.
“Our love and support go out to Julia and her family at this time,” HBO said in an emailed statement.
“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.’”
Louis-Dreyfus has won eight Emmys in her career. Aside from those associated with ‘Veep,’ she won the lead actress Emmy in 2006 for her role as Christine Campbell in ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine,’ and a supporting actress Emmy in 1996 for her role as Elaine Benes on ‘Seinfeld.’
Source: Patch