The top male celebrities who bravely fought cancer
This gallery honours iconic men who faced cancer with courage, dignity, and quiet strength, including David Bowie, who died at the age of 69 in 2016 after a private 18-month battle with liver cancer, turning his final chapter into a profound artistic legacy.
Meet the brave male stars who fought cancer...
This gallery honours iconic men who faced cancer with courage, dignity, and quiet strength, including David Bowie, who died at the age of 69 in 2016 after a private 18-month battle with liver cancer, turning his final chapter into a profound artistic legacy.
Behind their public personas, these stars showed immense humanity, fighting private battles while continuing to inspire the world with their art, creativity, and resilience.
Robert De Niro
The Godfather Part II star, 82, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 at the age of 60, but made a full recovery following surgery.
The cancer was detected early through routine checkups, allowing him to return to acting shortly after treatment.
De Niro has kept details of his health private but credited proactive healthcare for his recovery.
George Harrison
The Beatles legend died of lung cancer that metastasised to the brain in 2001 at the age of 58.
Despite treatments, including surgery and radiation in the US and Switzerland, the cancer spread, and the guitarist - who had previously battled throat cancer in 1997 - passed away in Los Angeles, leaving an iconic musical legacy.
Michael Douglas
In 2010, the Fatal Attraction actor was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma (throat/tongue cancer).
He underwent intense chemotherapy and radiation, resulting in a successful recovery and he has been cancer-free since 2011.
Douglas attributed the cancer to the HPV virus contracted through oral sex, raising public awareness of the virus-cancer link.
Chadwick Boseman
The Marvel star passed away in 2020 at age 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.
Diagnosed in 2016, he continued to film major roles—including in Black Panther and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom—while undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy.
Ben Stiller
Stiller was diagnosed with intermediate-risk prostate cancer in June 2014 at the age of 48, which he publicly revealed two years later to raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for the disease.
Following a robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, he was declared cancer-free in September 2014 and has credited a proactive PSA test with saving his life.
