Celebrities and Skin Cancer – They’re Just Like Us

Celebrities like Christie Brinkley, Jimmy Buffett, Terry Bradshaw, Sam Champion, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Witney Carson, Melanie Griffith, Governor Kathy Hochul, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Jonas, Khloe Kardashian, Diane Keaton, Donal Logue, Bob Marley, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, Bret Michaels, Ewan McGregor, Rosie O’Donnell, Andy Roddick, and Richard Simmons have battled skin cancer. Others including Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett have passed away as a result of skin cancer.

US Weekly is famous for its “Stars – They’re Just Like Us” feature. The column includes photos of celebrities in their daily lives, being “normal” people. They catch them in the act of everyday tasks like grocery shopping, eating pizza and, gasp, even pumping their own gas!

Given the prevalence of skin cancer in the United States, it’s not surprising that so many celebrities have had the disease. In fact, one out of every five Americans is going to get skin cancer. In our very own “Just Like Us” feature, we’re sharing about celebrities you may not realize have had the world’s most common cancer.
 
Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave

In July 2024, the reality star shared an Instagram post revealing that a recent skin check uncovered yet another melanoma. Doctors diagnosed this latest skin cancer — her 14th — just months months after a December, 2023 melanoma surgery on her back. 

“I do have another melanoma which means another surgery.  I know I will be OK in the end – we caught this one within 90 days and an earlier stage and for that I am very grateful,” she shared.  

Mellencamp Arroyave has explained how past habits including tanning, not wearing sunscreen and not getting her skin checked may have contributed to her diagnosis. She called her skin cancer experience a “wake up call” and regularly urges her fans to love and protect their skin. “Sending love to you all and please book your skin checks.”

 

Terry Bradshaw
In the fall of 2022, Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw revealed during a Fox NFL Sunday broadcast that he had battled two forms of cancer in the past year — bladder cancer and skin cancer. Bradshaw discovered a tumor on his neck that turned out to be Merkel cell carcinoma. He received treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and told the audience that he was fortunately now “cancer free and feeling great.”
 
Christie Brinkley

In March 2024, American model, actress and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley shared in an Instagram post that she had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed from her face. “The good news for me is we caught the basal cell carcinoma early,” she explained. “And I had great doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection.” Brinkley went on to encourage her followers to protect their skin and check it regularly. “The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection! I got serious a bit late so now I’ll be slathering on my SPF, reapplying as needed, wearing long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat. And doing regular total body check ups… that is a MUST.”

In 2006, Brinkley attended our Champions for Change Gala in New York City.

 

Jimmy Buffett

Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett battled Merkel cell carcinoma — a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer — for four years prior to passing away in September 2023. Buffett, best known for his hits “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” continued to perform throughout treatment for the disease before his death at age 76. Merkel cell carcinoma has a high risk of metastasizing (spreading) within two to three years after the initial diagnosis, and only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

 

Witney Carson

The “Dancing with the Stars” phenom was just 22 years of age when she discovered a melanoma on her foot. Carson, whose parents had melanoma, has been vocal in advocating for regular skin exams and the importance of early detection.

As a teen, she had frequented indoor tanning salons. At the time, she’d been only dimly aware of the danger — and like many young people, she considered herself invincible. “Despite my parents’ brushes with skin cancer, I’d never thought it would happen to me,” she explained.

In 2016, she shared her powerful story at our Champions for Change Gala in New York City.

 

Sam Champion

Good Morning America host and weatherman Sam Champion was diagnosed with his first skin cancer while still in his 20s, an experience he blames on his younger years of tanning. Since then, he’s had multiple surgeries to remove suspicious moles and basal cell carcinomas. Champion underwent surgery live-on-the-air in an effort to educate people about the consequences of unprotected sun exposure. In October 2024, he took to Instagram live to detail his most recent BCC surgery under his eye.

Since his first skin cancer scare, he has consistently urged viewers to slather on sunscreen and get their skin checked. He’s even hosted the Skin Cancer Foundation’s annual gala more than once!

Andy Cohen

In November 2016, the popular talk show host, author and producer announced he had a melanoma on his lip removed after celebrity friend Kelly Ripa had urged him to have a suspicious spot checked out. The former self-proclaimed “tanorexic” has said the experience changed his relationship with the sun.

Anderson Cooper
While covering the 2008 election, the popular journalist made headlines when he appeared on the air with a black eye and bandage. Cooper warned viewers before the broadcast that he had a minor procedure to remove a skin cancer that luckily hadn’t spread.

Melanie Griffith
Several years ago, the American actress caused concern among fans when she was spotted with a black eye. She later revealed that this was the result of a skin cancer removal procedure.

Governor Kathy Hochul

In September 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she was having a procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma from her nose.

“I’m getting an outpatient procedure done today to remove a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. I encourage all New Yorkers to get that regular checkup on the books. Early detection saves lives,” the governor wrote in an Instagram post.

Hugh Jackman

Perhaps best known for his portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men movies, the Australian actor publicly shared his skin cancer struggles with fans. Jackman has had several skin cancers removed in recent years and regularly takes to social media to remind his fans of the importance of sun protection and regular skin exams. 

Kevin Jonas
In June 2024, the lead guitarist of the Jonas Brothers shared an Instagram video about his basal cell carcinoma diagnosis and treatment. “So, today I am getting a basal cell carcinoma removed from my head.,” he said. “Yes, that is an actual little skin cancer that has started to grow and now I have to get surgery to remove it.” After his procedure was over, Jonas added a PSA to the end of his video, reminding his fans to be sure and check their skin.

Khloe Kardashian

The reality star has been vocal about her skin cancer experiences. In a 2017 meeting with Hollywood medium Tyler Henry, she reported that she has had two skin cancers removed (one of which was a melanoma on her back) and that she gets skin exams every three months.

In October 2022, Kardashian revealed that she had another tumor removed from her face. While she did not disclose which type of skin cancer she was diagnosed with, Kardashian said her doctors mentioned that the tumor was “incredibly rare” for someone her age. Kardashian has shared the ABCDEs with her social media followers and encourages regular skin checks.

Diane Keaton
The Oscar-winning actress was diagnosed with the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), at the young age of 21. Several years ago, she was diagnosed with the second most common form of the disease, squamous cell carcinoma. Keaton encourages her fans to practice proper sun protection and has spoken openly about her family’s history with the disease (both her father and brother have had BCCs removed).

Donal Logue

The actor, producer and writer who starred in “Sons of Anarchy” and “Vikings” was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on his forehead in 2014. While his doctor successfully removed the cancer after two rounds of surgery, the actor has said that he is at very high risk of another. In reflecting on the experience Logue said: “Today, when I check my face in the mirror for new growths, I wish I could shake that young boy I once was, running around under the hot, desert sun without protection, for doing such ineradicable damage to his future skin.”

 

 

Bob Marley

When a dark spot appeared under the Jamaican musician’s toenail, Marley attributed it to a recent soccer injury. The spot turned out to be a form of skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma that often becomes aggressive because it is detected later than other melanomas. The loss of this legend serves as a powerful reminder that anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, can be affected by skin cancer.

Ewan McGregor

The Scottish-born actor caused quite a stir in 2008 when he had a birthmark removed from his forehead, leading to speculation that he had a cosmetic procedure done. McGregor later set the record straight and explained that his doctor removed several suspicious lesions for testing. One, below the actor’s eye, was indeed skin cancer.

Bret Michaels

The singer and musician has dealt with multiple skin cancers, the most recent of which he had removed in October 2023. Michaels, best known as the frontman of Poison, previously had a skin cancer removed in 2020 and returned to the doctor’s office after losing a fellow performer to the disease. 

“With the recent passing of my friend Jimmy Buffett, I decided it was time for a more recent check up of something I thought was nothing,” Michaels said in an Instagram post. “Turns out, it was something.” 

The singer praised his doctor for quickly identifying and treating the skin cancer, noting that it may have saved his life. He ended the post by encouraging fellow lovers of the outdoors to get their skin checked as well.

 
Rosie O’Donnell

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell shared on social media that she was treated for a basal cell carcinoma in September 2024.

“Had this bump near my eye. Went to the dermatologist when it started to scab. It’s basal cell cancer – all removed and fine – get checked!”

Andy Roddick

During a September 2024 podcast, tennis pro Andy Roddick opened up about his ongoing battles with skin cancer.

“I’ve dealt with various types of skin cancer since since I stopped playing,” Roddick said. He mentioned a recent battle with a squamous cell carcinoma on his lip and offered a PSA to his fans: “Use sunscreen and put sunscreen on your kids, especially if they are tennis players.”

Richard Simmons

In 2024, fitness guru Richard Simmons shared a two-part Facebook post revealing that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. He wrote that he was successfully treated for the basal cell carcinoma, located under his right eye. He concluded his post by sharing that he had his entire body checked for other potential skin cancers. He also encouraged his fans to be vigilant about their health, writing “promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check up.”

Simmons passed away on July 13, 2024.

 

 

Protect Yourself, Check Yourself

Regardless of whether you have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or have never set foot in Tinseltown, everyone is at risk for skin cancer. These celebrities’ stories serve as a great reminder of the importance of daily sun protection and the need for regular skin exams. If you have yet to schedule your annual check-up with your dermatologist, we encourage you to do so today. When it comes to your skin health, there is no time like the present!