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US actor Bruce Campbell, the horror film icon from “The Evil Dead” (German version “Dance of the Devils”), made a medical diagnosis public on his social media channels yesterday, March 2nd. He was diagnosed with cancer, the 67-year-old explained; it is a form that is “treatable but not curable”. Various US media outlets, including People magazine, have reported on it. “I apologize if this is a shock – it was for me too,” wrote Campbell in his post, which was published as a text graphic. He did not name the exact type of cancer. He introduced the message with a typical dash of gallows humor: Nowadays, health problems are often referred to as “opportunity”, i.e. in the sense of possibility or opportunity – “so we call it that”.
Work takes a back seat for the time being
Campbell emphasized that he was making the diagnosis public primarily for professional reasons. “A few things will have to change,” he wrote. Appearances, convention visits and “the job in general” would initially have to take a back seat to treatment. He has to cancel several fan events in the coming months – “with great regret”. His goal is to “get through the summer as well as possible” so that he can go on tour with his new film “Ernie & Emma” in the fall.
The comedy, which Campbell directed, wrote and starred in, marks one of his most personal projects in recent years. At the same time, he made it clear that he was not making his illness public to garner “compassion or advice,” but rather to forestall possible fakes or misinformation. He is “a tough old bastard” with “great support” – and expects to “be here for a while.”
Cult status since “The Evil Dead”
Campbell has been considered an icon of genre cinema for decades. He celebrated his breakthrough in 1981 in Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead,” a low-budget horror film that became a cult classic. In the role of the chainsaw-wielding Ash Williams, Campbell became a strange identification figure for an entire generation of nerd fans. He returned to the “Evil Dead” universe several times – both in the sequels and in the series adaptation “Ash vs Evil Dead”.
Most recently he was involved as a speaker in “Evil Dead Rise” (2023). Campbell will serve as executive producer for the upcoming sixth part of the series, “Evil Dead Burn,” scheduled for July 24, 2026. In addition to horror productions, the man from Royal Oak, Michigan, has repeatedly appeared in mainstream formats – from series cameos to prominent supporting roles in major studio films. In particular, his collaboration with director friend Sam Raimi, for example in his “Spider-Man” trilogy, was celebrated by his disciples.
Support from the community
Numerous fans responded to Campbell’s post with well-wishes. Many praised his open handling of the diagnosis and expressed their solidarity. The response once again underlines the special status that Campbell enjoys in pop culture: as a charismatic B-movie hero, self-deprecating entertainer and a reliable fixture at fan conventions worldwide. What’s going on with his health remains private for the time being. However, Campbell plans not to give up without a fight – neither personally nor artistically.
