Horror icon Bruce Campbell has been diagnosed with a “treatable” but not “curable” type of cancer.
The Evil Dead star shared the news of his “shock” diagnosis on social media in order to explain his cancellation of forthcoming public appearances.
“I’m posting this, because professionally, a few things will have to change – appearances and cons and work in general need to take [a] backseat to treatment,” he wrote on Monday (2 March).
“There are several cons this year summer [sic] that I have to cancel. Big regrets on my part. Treatment needs and professional obligations don’t always go hand-in-hand,” he explained.
The 67-year-old did not specify the details of his cancer diagnosis, but noted that he hopes to be well enough by the summer in order to tour his new comedy film Ernie & Emma, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, this autumn.
Campbell concluded his post, writing: “That’s about it. 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).”
Reassuring fans, he 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.
“As always, you’re the greatest fans in the world and I hope to see you soon!”
The post was met with thousands of comments from fans wishing the actor well.
Campbell is best known as the original actor to play Ash Williams in Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classic horror film The Evil Dead. He portrayed the character in the subsequent entries of the franchise: Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992).
He also played Ash in three seasons of the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead, which ran between 2015 and 2018. Most recently appeared in a voice role in 2023’s Evil Dead Rise.
Continuing his work on the franchise, Campbell served as an executive producer on Evil Dead Burn, a forthcoming sequel which wrapped filming in October 2025 and is out in July this year. Raimi is co-producing alongside Rob Tapert.
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Elsewhere in his career, Campbell has appeared in Raimi’s Spider-Man films, as well as several Coen Brothers outings including Fargo and The Hudsucker Proxy. He made a cameo appearance in Raimi’s latest blockbuster Send Help, which starred Rachel McAdams.
