Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell reveals 'treatable but not curable' cancer diagnosis, but says 'I am a tough old son-of-a-bitch' and expects 'to be around for a while'

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(Image credit: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Bruce Campbell visits SiriusXM Studios on October 17, 2024 in New York City. )

Bruce Campbell, the actor behind Ash from Evil Dead and—most prominently in my heart—the tutorial narrator in the Spider-Man 2 videogame, revealed yesterday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

In a post on X, Campbell wrote that he had "a type of cancer that's 'treatable' not 'curable'. I apologize if that's a shock—it was to me, too." As a result of his diagnosis, Campbell announced that he would, sadly, have to cancel several appearances at shows this year. "I'm posting this because, professionally, a few things will have to change—appearances and cons and work in general need to take [a] back seat to treatment."

Campbell sounds determined in the face of the news. "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."

His work on Evil Dead and a whole lot else has made Campbell an iconic figure and voice over the years. His latest movie, Ernie and Emma—about a salesman on a journey to scatter his wife's ashes—premiered last month, and is due for a wider release later this year.

Joshua Wolens
News Writer

One of Josh's first memories is of playing Quake 2 on the family computer when he was much too young to be doing that, and he's been irreparably game-brained ever since. His writing has been featured in Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times. He'll play pretty much anything, and has written far too much on everything from visual novels to Assassin's Creed. His most profound loves are for CRPGs, immersive sims, and any game whose ambition outstrips its budget. He thinks you're all far too mean about Deus Ex: Invisible War.

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