8 Celebrities With Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, career, or personal circumstances. Many celebrities have been diagnosed — and beaten — this cancer and used their fame to spread awareness and encourage activism.
Below, we’ve highlighted 8 famous lung cancer survivors:
- Barry Manilow, musician
- Kathy Griffin, comedian
- Jessica Salomon, comedian
- Kate Micucci, actress
- Larry King, television and radio host
- Ronnie Wood, musician
- John Prine, musician
- John Wayne, actor
Each of their situations shows that lung cancer is not a death sentence. All of the survivors we’ve featured continued in their careers for years after, proving that a cancer diagnosis didn’t define them.
Hear empowering stories of celebrities who have battled lung cancer below, and get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to find out how you can get support after a diagnosis.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
1. Barry Manilow & Lung Cancer
In December 2025, Barry Manilow revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after an MRI, ordered following a bout of bronchitis, detected a small cancerous spot on his left lung.
Since Barry Manilow’s lung cancer was caught early and had not spread, he underwent a lobectomy to remove the affected portion of his left lung. Doctors determined he did not need chemotherapy or radiation, and he postponed several January 2026 performances while recovering.
Manilow, 82 at the time of the diagnosis, has credited his physician with saving his life through early detection: “It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.” In a later interview, he added, “He saved my life, because there’s no symptoms for what I had.”
Though the diagnosis came as a shock, Manilow has reported that he is cancer-free following surgery and has resumed performing. He encourages others to pay attention to their health and persistent symptoms.
2. Kathy Griffin & Lung Cancer
On August 2, 2021, comedian Kathy Griffin announced that she had been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer, despite never having smoked. Doctors discovered the cancer while it was still confined to her left lung, and she underwent surgery to remove half of her left lung (a left lobectomy).
Because the cancer was caught early, her doctors were optimistic that surgery alone would be successful and that she would not need chemotherapy or radiation.
Later that year, Griffin confirmed she was cancer-free following the operation. In 2023, Griffin said in a statement that her doctors believed radon — a colorless, odorless gas that can pollute homes — may have been the cause of her cancer.
3. Jessica Salomon & Lung Cancer
In February 2026, Canadian comedian Jessica Salomon announced that she had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer after weeks of symptoms like fatigue, body aches, and cough. Doctors initially treated her for bronchitis, but a concerning chest X-ray led to additional testing.
“After a terrifying night at the ER, more scans, MRIs and a lung biopsy, I learned that I have advanced lung cancer,” shared Salomon. “I’ve been told it is treatable. I’m going to be OK because I have to be.”
A few weeks later, Salomon revealed that her cancer carries a ROS1 genetic mutation, making her eligible for targeted therapy. She reported that the daily medication had already begun improving her symptoms and thanked fans for their overwhelming support as she focused on her recovery.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, call (877) 446-5767 for help exploring treatments, financial options, and more.
4. Kate Micucci & Lung Cancer
In December 2023, actress and comedian Kate Micucci revealed she had been diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 43. Known for her roles on shows like The Big Bang Theory, her cancer was discovered after doctors found an abnormal image on a lung scan. She underwent surgery to remove the cancerous portion of her lung.
In a video shared on social media, Micucci announced her diagnosis with humor and honesty, saying, “I had a thing show up in my blood work that was high. So I went to a scanner, and they found a little spot on my lung.”
Micucci, a nonsmoker, used her experience to encourage others to pay attention to their health and seek medical care when something feels wrong. She later shared that she was doing well after treatment and that the cancer had been caught early.
5. Larry King & Lung Cancer
In April 2017, television and radio host Larry King was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after a routine chest X-ray revealed a tumor in his lung. King, who was 83 at the time, said the cancer was caught early because he followed his doctor’s recommendation to receive regular screenings due to his long history of smoking.
Doctors performed surgery to remove the cancerous portion of his lung, and King later said the procedure was successful. He did not require chemotherapy or radiation following the surgery.
King openly discussed his diagnosis and emphasized the importance of early detection, reflecting, “I was lucky. It was caught early.” He also encouraged people with a history of smoking to get screened, explaining that his cancer likely would have been much more serious if it had not been caught.
King survived lung cancer for nearly 5 years, passing away in January 2021 from complications related to COVID-19 and other underlying conditions.
6. Ronnie Wood & Lung Cancer
Longtime Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is a two-time lung cancer survivor. According to the BBC, he was first diagnosed in 2017 following a routine lung cancer screening. He underwent a five-hour surgery to remove part of his lung.
He was declared cancer-free in 2018, but diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) during the COVID-19 pandemic, for which he sought treatment during lockdown. He was given a clean bill of health in 2021 and has continued to record and tour with the Rolling Stones.
“When you hand the outcome over to your higher power, that is a magic thing,” Wood said of his diagnosis in a statement to CNN. “What will be will be, it’s nothing to do with me. All I can do is stay positive in my attitude, be strong and fight it, and the rest is up to my higher power.”
If you or a loved one is facing lung cancer, we’re here to provide support. Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide for key information on lung cancer screenings, treatments, and ways to afford care.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
7. John Prine & Lung Cancer
Considered among the best singer-songwriters of all time, John Prine fought multiple types of cancer throughout his life. After beating squamous cell carcinoma of the neck in the 1990s, brought on by 30 years of smoking, he was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2013.
Prine was successfully treated for NSCLC using surgery, which removed half of one of his lungs, allowing him to continue touring and releasing albums.
“Luckily, I had a friend who was a trainer. When I told him I had to get [lung cancer] surgery, he volunteered to come to our house and help me get back in shape to get on the road,” Prine said in an interview with NPR. “He had me running up and down our staircase three times. Then he’d put a guitar around my neck, and I’d sing three songs without taking a breath.”
Prine was experiencing a late-career resurgence at age 73 with an acclaimed album and tour when he contracted COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic in America. He passed away in April 2020 from complications.
8. John Wayne & Lung Cancer
In September 1964, actor John Wayne was diagnosed with lung cancer after a routine chest X-ray revealed a malignant tumor in his left lung. At the time, doctors performed surgery to remove his entire left lung and two ribs in an effort to stop the cancer from spreading.
The cancer hadn’t spread far, so his surgeons pursued a curative operation. Following his recovery, Wayne returned to acting and remained active for more than a decade before later developing stomach cancer, which ultimately caused his death in 1979.
Wayne was candid about his determination to keep living after his diagnosis, and also turned to public advocacy, urging others to get screened for lung cancer.
“Why don’t all of you do yourselves a favor and get a checkup,” Wayne said in a promotional video for the American Cancer Society. “Talk someone you like into getting a checkup. Nag someone you love into getting a checkup.”
Does Ja Morant Have Lung Cancer?
No. NBA player Ja Morant does not have lung cancer. The rumor originated from a doctored social media post and a fake TikTok video claiming Morant announced a lung cancer diagnosis. The screenshot had been fabricated, and neither Morant nor the Memphis Grizzlies has reported a cancer diagnosis.
The confusion may have been fueled by Morant’s absence from games due to an unrelated injury. The Grizzlies announced that he suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and was expected to recover, with no connection to lung cancer.
Does Snoop Dogg Have Lung Cancer?
Snoop Dogg does not have lung cancer. Although the rapper has been open about his long history of smoking cannabis and briefly sparked speculation in 2023 when he announced he was quitting smoking (later revealed to be part of a marketing campaign), he has never publicly disclosed a lung cancer diagnosis.
As of now, Snoop Dogg continues to perform, release music, and make public appearances, with no verified reports indicating that he has lung cancer.
Everyone Affected by Lung Cancer Deserves Support
The stories of celebrities with lung cancer remind us that this disease can affect anyone — regardless of fame, success, or background. They also show that a lung cancer diagnosis doesn’t define our life, and that survivorship is possible.
At Lung Cancer Group, we understand the challenges lung cancer patients and their families face, and we’re ready to offer our support.
Our team can help you:
- Explore key lung cancer treatment options
- Find out how smoking, asbestos, and other toxins cause lung cancer
- Get support while you and your family face lung cancer
- Pursue compensation to cover treatment costs
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now or call (877) 446-5767 to find out all of the ways we can assist you.
Written by:Lung Cancer GroupLung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.
