Dolph Lundgren was tired of fighting during one low point in his cancer journey.
The Rocky IVstar looked back on his decade-long battle with the disease, sharing that his struggles with depression amid treatment led him to contemplate assisted suicide. In fact, he even detailed a conversation with his brother JohanLundgren about assisting him through the process.
“When I was deep into the cancer treatments and thinking about the possibility of killing myself, my brother, Johan, was going to help me, because I didn’t know what kind of condition I might be in once I made that decision,” Lundgren wrote in his new memoir Fights Worth Fighting: Finding Strength in Struggle, per Entertainment Weekly. “I could be in really bad shape by then and not capable of completing the suicide on my own.”
“There are countries in Europe, like Switzerland, that permit legal suicide for people who are terminally ill, but I still might have needed someone there to help me,” he continued. “At this point, I was depressed and had almost given up all hope.”
However, the 68-year-old’s mindset turned around when he met Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, who reviewed his medical records and came to the conclusion that Lundgren had been “misdiagnosed” when he was told in 2020 that he only had a few years.
And after Drakaki put Lundgren—who was initially diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015, before being told five years later that the tumors had spread—on a treatment plan for lung cancer instead, the Creed II actor said he “began feeling better.”
“If I’d gone on the other treatment, I had about three or four months left,” he told In Depth With Graham Bensinger in 2023. “I couldn’t believe that that it would be that radical of a difference that within three months, things were shrinking by 20, 30 percent.”
Lundgren announced he was cancer-free in 2024.
“It’s been a rough ride and really taught me how to live in the moment and enjoy every moment of life,” the action star shared in an Instagram video at the time. “It’s the only way to go.”
Through his cancer journey, Lundgren also gained a new appreciation of himself.
“I’m kinder to myself than I was before, so I think that also feels good,” he told EW earlier this year. “I don’t push myself as much, and that makes me appreciate life more. I’m doing it for myself and for that young kid who came over here from Sweden and didn’t know what was gonna happen to him.”
For more celebrity cancer survivors sharing their stories, read on.
The All My Children alum announced in January 2025 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his third cancer diagnosis throughout his life.Despite the devastating news, he announced (for the third time) in February 2025 he was cancer-free following successful surgery and treatments.”Remember, you’re not defined by any of your challenges,” he wrote in his February 2025 Instagram update. “You’re grander than it all. I’m not my fear, my anxiousness or my scars but I embrace it all because the only way to transform it is to own it.”
The former Golden Bachelor star shared in December 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a bone cancer.”Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it,” Gerry noted to People at the time. “So that weighs heavily in every decision I make. It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. And I was a bit in denial for a while, I didn’t want to admit to it.”
Ariana Madix
“I had to have a lil bit o’cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied,” the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. “(In the clear now!)”
Christina Applegate
The Up All Night star was declared”100-percent clear” of breast cancer in 2008 after treatment and a double mastectomy.Advertisement
Jim Beaver
The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer-free.
Marcia Cross
The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. “After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me,” she shared on Instagram.
Dustin Hoffman
The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman “surgically cured” in 2013.
Hugh Jackman
The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman’s rep told E! News that he’s “all good” now.In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, “If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen.”Advertisement
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January in 2015. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.Then, in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Alongside a pair of photos that show a line of stitches running from the bottom of his ear to his jaw, which he later covered with a bandage, the British celebrity chef shared that he underwent a procedure to treat skin cancer.”Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma,” Gordon wrote on Instagram August 2025. “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend.””I promise you it’s not a face lift,” he added. “I’d need a refund…”
Cobie Smulders
The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.
Dr. Drew Pinsky
TV host reveals he underwent surgery forprostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.
Brooke Burke
The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, “Thx for all the twitter love. I’m [home] recovering & resting.”
Angie Everhart
“MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! #wootothemotherf–kinhoo,” the actress tweeted after receiving the good news.
Michael C. Hall
The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Michelle Monaghan
The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.Advertisement
The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.
Sheryl Crow
The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Michael Douglas
The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”
Edie Falco
The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.Advertisement
Anderson Cooper
Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he’s braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.
Kylie Minogue
The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.
Barry Watson
The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease when he was only 28. He’s 50 now and looking good!
Maura Tierney
The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood tofight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.Advertisement
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/re
