Anjelica Huston says she’s ‘in the clear’ after private cancer diagnosis

Oscar-winning actor explained why she didn’t make the news public

Anjelica Huston has revealed she’s “in the clear” after a private cancer diagnosis.

The Oscar winner, 73, known for her role as Morticia Addams in The Addams Family and Maerose Prizzi in Prizzi’s Honour, was diagnosed after the release of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019.

Speaking to People, Huston did not share what type of cancer she had, saying she wanted to keep that information to herself.

“That was a very serious moment for me,” she said. “I managed to survive it, and I’m proud of myself.”

“It’s not something that came lightly. It came as a big shock, but it made me conscious of what I shouldn’t do, of places I shouldn’t go. One of those places was taking life too seriously. So now when the opportunity arises, I laugh, and I try not to make a big deal out of things,” Huston said.

“I’m at the four-year mark, and that means so much to me. It’s a fantastic thing. I’m very proud of myself, and I’ve been very lucky. My doctors have been wonderful,” she added.

Huston revealed she decided to speak about her condition in the hope that she could help others.

Anjelica Huston has opened up about her private battle with cancer (Getty Images)

“Sometimes you feel like you don’t want to talk about it for the obvious reasons, but there’s a lot to be said for talking about it and getting it out there and celebrating the fact that one’s come through,” she said.

“Life is tenuous and wonderful. It also gives you the idea that the world is big and you can somehow match up to it. That you’re ready for whatever happens.”

The Emmy winner is set to star as Lady Tressilian in the BBC’s forthcoming three-part Agatha Christie adaptation Towards Zero, which she mostly filmed from bed.

“It was very relaxing and wonderfully undemanding,” the star said of working on the series. “I’ve always liked bed anyway. It’s one of my preferences and now I’m convinced, absolutely. It’s almost a prerequisite.”

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Huston as Lady Tressilian in 'Towards Zero' (BBC/Mammoth Screen/Justin Downin)

Yet, when asked if she ever thinks of retirement, Huston replied: “I can’t imagine such a thing. I think it would be too much, even for me.”

It comes after Huston revealed in a recent interview her ex-boyfriend Jack Nicholson had checked on her after her home was nearly destroyed in the LA wildfires.

“That’s the bottom line with he and I – when the chips are down, he’s there,” she said.