‘Anchorman’ Actress Christina Applegate Shares Tragic Health Update

In an emotionally charged and revealing interview with Robin Roberts, Christina Applegate opened up about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), marking her first in-depth discussion of her diagnosis. Applegate’s diagnosis came to light publicly when she appeared at the Emmy Awards, a moment that she described with mixed emotions.

“I live kind of in hell. I’m not out a lot, so this is a little difficult, just for my system. But yeah, of course, the support is wonderful and I’m really grateful,” Applegate shared, candidly discussing the impact of her condition on her day-to-day life and the support she feels from the community.

The actress also touched on the unforgettable moment she received a standing ovation at the Emmys, which left her feeling “beloved” but also somewhat disconnected due to the overwhelming nature of the experience.

“Yeah, I was really, I actually kind of blacked out. And I, people said, ‘oh, you were so funny.’ And I’m like, I don’t even know what I said. Like, I don’t know what I was doing,” she recalled.

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Applegate had been a familiar face in the entertainment industry since she was a child. She gained fame in the late 1980s as a teenage actress, playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom “Married… with Children,” a role that made her a household name. Over the years, Applegate has demonstrated her versatility as an actress, taking on roles in both television and film that range from comedy to drama.

Applegate’s work in television includes starring roles in sitcoms like “Jesse,” which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award, and “Samantha Who?” where her performance garnered critical acclaim and several award nominations. In recent years, she received praise for her role in the Netflix dark comedy series “Dead to Me,” for which she has received Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Beyond her acting career, Applegate has been open about her personal challenges, including her battle with breast cancer in 2008, which led to a double mastectomy. She has since been an advocate for cancer awareness and research.

In November 2021, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Applegate has been candid about her experiences with MS, sharing her struggles and adjustments in her personal and professional life due to the disease.

In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers, causing communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves.

The signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms.

The cause of MS is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. There is no cure for MS, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These treatments may include medication to slow the disease’s progression, treat relapses, and manage symptoms, as well as physical therapy and support for mental health.