In August 2021, Christina Applegate revealed to her fans that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time, she was filming the third and final season of Dead to Me and didn’t know if she would be able to continue. A five-month production pause gave her the strength to finish what she started.
It wasn’t an easy transition and there were plenty of obstacles standing in her way, but she overcame those struggles – thanks in large part to her amazing crew, who stuck by her side every step of the way. Now, we’re just days away from the premiere of that third season – coming to Netflix on November 17.
In an interview with Variety last week, Applegate opened up about her diagnosis and what the future holds as she begins a new chapter of her career. While she is in no way retiring from the industry, she seems ‘pretty convinced’ that her leading role in Dead to Me will be her last big acting role in Hollywood.
During the five-month break after learning of her MS diagnosis, the looming question was what Christina Applegate would be capable of doing when she returns – especially since MS disrupts communication between the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve (affecting vision, coordination, and immune system).
Now that she has tested her abilities and had some time to think about what the future holds, Applegate is in the process of accepting that the demands of the job might be too much to handle. With that, she’s dedicated to her transition in the industry and is excited to express herself in a different capacity.
“I’m just a newbie to all of this. I’m trying to figure it out — and I’m also in mourning for the person that I was. I have to find a place that’s as loving as my set was, where they won’t think I’m a diva by saying, ‘Hey, I can only work five hours,” said Applegate during her interview with Vanity, published on Nov. 9th.
According to the actress, she has plenty of ideas in mind that would see her credited as producer, but bringing those projects to life won’t be easy. She also could reprise her role as Kelly Bundy (albeit just the voice) in the former hit sitcom Married… With Children – which could be returning as an animated show
Christina Applegate Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
On November 14th, Christina Applegate received something she dreamed of ever since she was a little girl – her name on a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s an achievement only handed out to the best of the best, a title she has earned over the past 50 years – getting her first role at just a few months old.
She was initially scheduled to receive her star in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans and her multiple sclerosis diagnosis only continued to get in the way. Now more than two years later, she can finally soak it all in as she starts the next chapter of her life – one we’re excited to continue following.
During the ceremony, she talked about how she used to look at the Walk of Fame as a five-year-old girl and think – “who are these people, what did they do, did they do something right, did they do something wrong?” Either way, she knew she wanted one and after 50 years of hard work, she finally has one.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 30 Inspiring Celebrities Who Have Battled Cancer and Won
During the speech, she gave a shoutout to two Married… With Children co-stars – Katey Sagal and David Faustino – and her Dead to Me co-star – Linda Cardellini. ““I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You are my people. You are my loves,” said Applegate in a touching and moving ceremony.