Today, we have some news about the talented actress Christina Applegate. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, the former “Married with Children” star opened up about her life after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and it seems like a chapter in her acting career has come to an end.
At the age of 51, Applegate revealed that she doesn’t see herself returning to the screen anytime soon. Despite cherishing her experience working with Linda Cardellini on Netflix’s “Dead to Me,” she expressed that her on-camera days are likely behind her. She compared the acting dynamic to a game of ping-pong, stating, “Ping-pong is so much more fun when the other person is just as good as you are.”
The actress was diagnosed with MS in August 2021 while filming the third season of “Dead to Me.” Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, causing a range of symptoms such as muscle control issues, vision problems, and coordination difficulties. Each case of MS varies, with some individuals experiencing minor challenges while others face severe disabilities.
Applegate’s battle with MS had a significant impact on the production of “Dead to Me,” leading to a temporary pause so she could begin treatment. In November 2022, after wrapping up the show, she spoke to Variety, admitting that working with her symptoms was incredibly challenging. She shared her thoughts on the future of her acting career, stating that she needs to find a balance and understand her capabilities within the context of her disease.
Currently navigating this new reality, Applegate emphasized the importance of finding a supportive work environment. She expressed her desire to work shorter hours, mentioning, “I’m just a newbie to all of this. So I’m trying to figure it out — and I’m also in mourning for the person who I was.” Applegate hopes to find projects where her reduced hours won’t be seen as diva-like behavior, even suggesting that starring in something might be off the table in the future.
“Right now, I couldn’t imagine getting up at 5 a.m. and spending 12 to 14 hours on a set,” she told the Los Angeles Times in February. “I don’t have that in me at this moment.”
Still, Applegate — who shares daughter Sadie Grace, 12, with husband Martyn LeNoble- envisions herself “doing a s–t ton of voice-overs to make some cash to make sure that my daughter’s fed and we’re homed.”
“I can’t even imagine going to set right now,” she added to Vanity Fair last week. “This is a progressive disease. I don’t know if I’m going to get worse. I can do voiceover stuff because I have to support my family and keep my brain working,” she said.
“Who knows — I’m probably gonna get real bored of being in my room. I’d like to develop stuff, I’d like to produce stuff,” she said to Variety. “I’ve got a lot of ideas in my mind, and I just need to get them executed,” she said.
