Julia Louis-Dreyfus, star of "Veep", reveals breast cancer diagnosis
Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed to fans Thursday that she has breast cancer. The Emmy-winning "Veep" star tweeted, "Just when you thought..." alongside a statement.
"1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one," the statement said.
Louis-Dreyfus, who recently announced that her HBO comedy "Veep" is coming to a close, made Emmy history earlier this month when she won her sixth straight outstanding lead actress in a comedy series Emmy for her role as Selina Meyer.
She has also taken home Emmys for her roles in "Seinfeld" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
On Thursday, she said she was grateful to have resources, and support from loved ones.
"The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union," she wrote.
She also used her diagnosis to call for universal health care, as the issue of health care reform remains a hot topic.
"The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let's fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality," she continued.
Just when you thought... pic.twitter.com/SbtYChwiEj
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 28, 2017
"Veep" will come to an end in 2018 when it wraps its seventh season. Earlier in September, Louis-Dreyfus tweeted, "It's true BUT don't despair cuz we still have a whole season 7 to write and film." She also told the Hollywood reporter at the time, "We don't want to repeat ourselves or wear out our welcome. The story has a finality to it that feels end-of-series."
Louis-Dreyfus is well loved by her co-stars. Tony Hale, who plays her aide Gary, told "CBS This Morning" of the actress, "Whoever's number one on the call sheet, who's the star, sets the tone. And she's so giving and kind and a team player -- and that makes a massive difference."
Many of Louis-Dreyfus' famous friends responded to the news with supportive messages. "Seinfeld" co-stars Jason Alexander and Wayne Knight sent their love.
@OfficialJLD so sorry you have to go thru this, pal, but I know you will prevail. We are here if/when you need and we love you. ❤️🌈
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) September 29, 2017
Love and support to Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad and family. As well as being 1 in 8, she is one in a million!
— Wayne Knight (@iWayneKnight) September 28, 2017
THIS. Sending love and strength to the inimitable @OfficialJLD https://t.co/WWFzDOEPem
— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) September 29, 2017
So many of us have admired Ms Dreyfus from afar. Today she shows us all she is even more of woman a than we could imagine. Blessings
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) September 29, 2017
I and millions of your fans join you in this fight @OfficialJLD. Kick cancer's butt. https://t.co/RI2SbrOjW5
— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 29, 2017
I love @OfficialJLD, she's one of the strongest people I know and cancer is gonna be real sorry it tried any weird moves on her.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 29, 2017
Sending you love and strength -
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) September 28, 2017
We are with you . Sending you so much love . YOU ARE a MIGHTY FORCE! @OfficialJLD https://t.co/FGWi2qJHQN
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) September 28, 2017
Sending love to this amazing, strong woman. Love you, @OfficialJLD ❤️ https://t.co/Y1K5KPhDwb
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) September 28, 2017
For your bravery, thank you. Sending you love and healing, @OfficialJLD https://t.co/aYZ62EFAmj
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) September 28, 2017
I love you, @OfficialJLD. https://t.co/X2RUJPD21p
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 28, 2017
sending love to Julia Louis-Dreyfus reveals breast cancer diagnosis https://t.co/7xamUu0MDI #BEwell
— ROSIE (@Rosie) September 28, 2017
Love you @OfficialJLD & love you for using this difficult time to shed light on those less fortunate. You are class act my friend. https://t.co/z90lyVL53f
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) September 28, 2017
Love you Julia. You got this.
— Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) September 28, 2017
❤️❤️❤️
— Tatiana Maslany (@tatianamaslany) September 28, 2017
Sending you love and light and prayers of support 🙏
— Roma Downey (@RealRomaDowney) September 28, 2017
Politicians also tweeted well wishes to the "Veep" actress, including former vice president Joe Biden. "We Veeps stick together," he wrote.
We Veeps stick together. Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia. pic.twitter.com/JP0c2wtrJ6
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 28, 2017
Julia, you're in our thoughts and our hearts. Inspired but not surprised to see you using your platform for good in this difficult moment.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 28, 2017
Wishing you all the strength in the world, @OfficialJLD. https://t.co/lkIvMMOGg2
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) September 28, 2017
Breast cancer is no match for my friend @OfficialJLD. Sending love and prayers.https://t.co/c38JgWRXhE
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 28, 2017
Louis-Dreyfus is not the only celebrity to go public with her battle against breast cancer. Shannon Doherty, Giuliana Rancic and Olivia Newton-John have all battled cancer. Doherty, who has been in remission since April, returned to work in August. Rancic celebrated her fifth year of being cancer-free in December. Newton-John, whose cancer was in remission for 25 years, announced in May that her cancer was back and canceled her June tour.