Starz
Bruce Campbell has announced that he has cancer, calling it “treatable not curable,” before canceling a number of public appearances throughout the year.
The 67-year-old actor is best known for playing Ash Williams throughout Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise, and led the Ash vs Evil Dead TV series on Starz from 2015 to 2018.
However he retired from playing Ash in live action following the show’s cancelation because fighting hordes of deadites with a chainsaw requires too many stunts. Since then the franchise has continued with Evil Dead Rise in 2023, and a new film, Evil Dead Burn, will arrive in 2026, but Campbell will seemingly not be involved outside of his role as an executive producer.
Now, Campbell will be dialling back his professional appearances throughout the year following his cancer diagnosis.
Bruce Campbell’s cancer diagnosis means “professionally, a few things will have to change”
pic.twitter.com/xnBYzY4wsS
— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) March 3, 2026
The actor announced his cancer diagnosis in a statement on his social media accounts, and although he didn’t go into specific details, he explained that it’s “a type of cancer that’s ‘treatable’ not ‘curable. I apologize if that’s a shock – it was to me too.”
Campbell is a frequent flyer at various fan conventions around the US because of his fan-favorite roles in Evil Dead, Spider-Man, and more. However these types of appearances will be put on hold. He continued: “I’m posting this, because professionally, a few things will have to change – appearances and cons and work in general need to take backseat to treatment.”
The star’s next project is a self-directed comedy movie, Ernie & Emma, about a man who goes on a journey to scatter his wife’s ashes in meaningful locations that make him look back on their marriage. Campbell explained that he plans to “get as well as I possibly can over the summer” so he can promote the film during the back end of the year.
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He told fans that he appreciates their support, and added, “Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-bitch and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while.”
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Predictably, the comments were flooded with comments of well wishes from fans, colleagues, and horror icons alike, many of which simply said: “Hail to the King, baby” calling back to the iconic Ash Williams line from Army of Darkness.
Alyssa Sutherland, who played Ellie in Evil Dead Rise, wrote on Instagram: “Sending you all the best, Bruce!” while Re-Animator and You’re next star Barbara Crampton added: “Sending a lot more love and good thoughts to you for your health and healing.”
