Christina Applegate has been a prominent TV actor for decades, beginning with her debut in Married… with Children and continuing with her critically acclaimed work in Netflix’s Dead to Me.
Applegate just revealed her new MS diagnosis… She believes she will be unable to act on camera in the future.
Applegate, 51, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease that causes fatigue, muscle weakness, and balance and coordination problems.
The actress revealed her ailment while filming the last season of Dead to Me in 2021. Her health concerns prevented her from continuing to film.
The Anchorman star highlighted her MS issues in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, stating they have made her day-to-day life difficult by interfering with her balance.
“There is never a good day with MS,” she said to Vanity Fair. “You can’t go down the stairs or carry things anymore.” “It f—ing stinks.”
While praising her Dead to Me co-star Linda Cardellini, Applegate hinted that the Netflix series would be her final on-screen appearance since her MS made the long hours of production too difficult.
“I’m probably not going to work on camera again,” Applegate said.
“I can’t even imagine going to set right now,” she went on to say. “This is a disease that worsens over time.” I’m not sure if things will deteriorate more. I can do voiceover work since I need to support my family and keep my mind sharp.”
Applegate previously told Variety that while there was “no way” she could devote the same amount of time to Dead to Me, she was exploring other possibilities to continue performing.
“It’s all about discovering what I’m capable of,” Applegate said. “I’m only getting started with this.” It will take time to sort out this illness and determine what is producing symptoms. “This is something I’m just getting started with.”
“So I’m trying to figure it out, and I’m also mourning the person I used to be.” I need to locate a setting as wonderful as my set, where no one will think I’m a diva if I say, ‘Hey, I can only work five hours.'”
Applegate also expressed a desire to work in the entertainment industry in a different capacity, such as producing or developing: “I’ve got a lot of ideas in my head, and I just need to get them executed,” she told Variety.
Applegate announced earlier this year that the SAG Awards would be her “last awards show as an actor.”
On February 26, 2023, Christina Applegate and Sadie Grace LeNoble attended the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images.)
Applegate overcame breast cancer as well. In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and declared herself cancer-free after a double mastectomy.
Christina Applegate is a favorite of ours, and it’s a shame she won’t be able to perform as regularly as she used to. We wish her the best of luck while she fights MS and hope she can continue working.