MEDFORD, Ore. (Mar. 2, 2026) — Bruce Campbell, the star of the “Evil Dead” horror franchise and a longtime fixture at fan conventions, revealed Monday that he has a form of cancer he described as “treatable” but not “curable.”
Campbell, 67, shared the news in a post on Instagram and X, telling followers he wanted to be transparent before misinformation could spread.
“Hi folks, when someone is having a health issue, it’s referred to as an ‘opportunity,’ so let’s go with that – I’m having one of those. It’s also called a type of cancer that’s ‘treatable’ not ‘curable.’ I apologize if that’s a shock – it was to me, too,” Campbell wrote.
The Medford-area resident said he would not provide additional details about his diagnosis but acknowledged that “professionally that a few things have to change,” adding that appearances, conventions and work in general “need to take a back seat to treatment.” He said he will cancel several convention appearances this year.
“I’m not trying to enlist sympathy – or advice – I just want to get ahead of this in case false information gets out (which it will),” he wrote.
Despite the diagnosis, Campbell signaled plans to continue working as his health allows. He said his goal is “to get as well as possible over the summer so that I can tour with my new movie ‘Ernie & Emma’ this fall.”
A comedy-drama that Campbell wrote and directed, “Ernie & Emma” follows a retired pear salesman, Ernie, played by Campbell, who is tasked by his late wife, Emma — voiced by Robin McAlpine — with spreading her ashes at meaningful locations from their decades together. The film was produced by Campbell’s wife, Ida Gearon.
“Ernie & Emma” made its world debut Feb. 14 at Medford’s historic Holly Theatre. Campbell has been a strong supporter of the theater’s historic refurbishment and subsequent reopening in downtown Medford, frequently championing the restored venue as a cultural anchor for the region.
Campbell said in a recent Zoom interview that he is also scheduled to attend special screening events across the country, beginning with a sold-out April 4 showing at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland.
Campbell first gained widespread attention in 1981 with the low-budget horror film The Evil Dead, directed by his longtime collaborator Sam Raimi and produced by Rob Tapert. The film spawned two sequels and the television spinoff Ash vs Evil Dead.
Campbell, Raimi and Tapert have also produced two reimaginings of the franchise — 2013’s “Evil Dead” and 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise” — with a third installment, “Evil Dead Burn,” set for release July 24.
In his post, Campbell sought to reassure fans about his outlook.
“Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-bitch and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while,” he wrote.
He closed with a note of gratitude to supporters he has met during decades of convention appearances.
“As always, you’re the greatest fans in the world and I hope to see you soon!” he wrote.
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