Michael Richards Opens Up About Prostate Cancer Battle: “I Probably Would Have Been Dead in About Eight Months”

Tatiana Tenreyro
·2 min read

Michael Richards has shared his private cancer battle.

The Seinfeld alum disclosed in his forthcoming memoir Entrances and Exits, out June 4, that he was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer in the summer of 2018.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Speaking with People magazine about his diagnosis, the actor admitted he was bracing himself for death. “I thought, well, this is my time. I’m ready to go,” he said. “But then my son came to mind just a few seconds later and I heard myself saying, ‘I’ve got a 9-year-old and I’d like to be around for him. Is there any way I can get a little more life going?'”

Richards told the outlet that, to treat his prostate cancer, his doctors recommended removing his entire prostate. The procedure saved his life.

“It had to be contained quickly,” he said. “I had to go for the fully surgery. If I hadn’t, I probably would have been dead in about eight months.”

He also shared why he decided to put out his memoir after years out of the spotlight. “I had over 40 journals I’d kept over the years and wanted to do a full review of my life,” Richards explained. “I’m turning 75, so maybe wanting to do that is something that comes with being my age. I wanted to connect with feelings and memory. I’m surprised at how much I was able to remember.”

Discussing the 2006 incident in which he confronted hecklers with racist remarks — including calling one of them the n-word, Richards said he felt “immediately sorry the moment I said it onstage.”

“I’m not looking for a comeback,” he continued. “The damage was inside of me. So I completely stepped away from show business. It was a time to disappear and finally pay attention to where all of my anger was coming from. The most I could do for everybody was go home and get my shit together.”

Best of The Hollywood Reporter