Julia Louis-Dreyfus Continues to Work on Veep After Breast Cancer Treatment
Photo credit: Julia Louis-Dreyfus by Gage Skidmore
In September 2017, Dreyfus announced on social media that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, in hopes of inspiring others who are going through the same experience. “1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I’m the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union. The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal health care a reality,” she wrote on Twitter.
Veep postponed
Veep was scheduled to start filming its 7th and final season in August. However, the project was postponed while Dreyfus underwent treatment. “We're obviously postponing production of the show. We were supposed to have started now, while she's in treatment but the expectation is we will shoot again. We have one more season we're doing, which we're incredibly excited about. Rather impressively, while we wait for her to gather her full strength, around her treatment, we’ve been having with the cast in Los Angeles, table reads of scripts for the final season as they’re ready,” said Frank Rich, executive producer of Veep.
Rich and co-star, Matt Walsh, noted that Dreyfus even found the strength to participate in table reads. “It's been quite something because she's fighting a serious...illness and yet wants to keep working as much as circumstances allow, without being crazy about it,” said Rich. “I’ve seen her as recently as 10 days ago, and watched her just be hilarious playing Selina Meyer. With the cast all around her playing the assorted group of idiots that Selena has to deal with on a weekly basis on the show. So, she’s got a great support system. She’s a very strong person and we can’t wait to welcome her back at full speed” he added.
“Veep is on hiatus, we’ll start filming in August and it will air in 2019. We’ve known for about a month. We’ve seen Julia, she’s done some table reads, she’s doing well, she’s finished her last chemo, she’s in recuperation. Her perspectives have remained excellent throughout. She’s very well loved; she’s a tremendous person” said Walsh.
Dreyfus’s humor shines through her hardships
Dreyfus has been very open about her breast cancer diagnosis, continuously keeping her fans up to date on her health status and treatment. She even incorporates humor in the descriptions of the pictures that she posts. Last month, she posted a picture of herself after completing her second-round chemotherapy, with the caption – “We are NOT f--king around here.” She also posted a picture of a blood transfusion that she received in December with the caption – “Getting ready for the holidays with my awesome Xmas cocktail.” Dreyfus has even shared several videos of encouragement on social media for the world to see.
An outpouring of support
To date, her family, celebrity friends, and fans continue to send her an enormous amount of support.
- “So sorry you have to go thru this, pal, but I know you will prevail. We are here if/when you need and we love you,” wrote Jason Alexander.
- “Love and support to Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad and family. A well as being 1 in 8, she is one in a million,” wrote Wayne Knight.
- “So many of us have admired Ms Dreyfus from afar. Today she shows us all she is even more of a woman than we can imagine. Blessings,” wrote Ellen Barkin.
- “Love you @OfficialJLD & love you for using this difficult time to shed light on those less fortunate. You are class act my friend,” wrote Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
- “Julia, you're in our thoughts and our hearts. Inspired but not surprised to see you using your platform for good in this difficult moment,” wrote Hillary Clinton.
- “Wishing you all the strength in the world, @OfficialJLD,” wrote Nancy Pelosi
- “Here's some more support from my heart to yours to help you kick it to the curb. Let it be so. Thanks for your voice to help others,” wrote Michaela Watkins.
- “All our prayers for a complete recovery. If love is any help at all, know that you are truly loved,” wrote Diedrich Bader.
- “Breast cancer is no match for my friend @OfficialJLD. Sending love and prayers,” wrote Kamala Harris.
- “Sending you love and strength but it appears you beat us to it and are sending the world love and strength,” wrote Judd Apatow.
- “We love this woman,” wrote Tony Hale.
- “Cancer is no match for you. Stomp it good. Xox,” wrote Michael McKean.
- “Sending love and best wishes to @OfficialJLD and her family,” wrote Ken Jeong.
- “Mama, find me. Let’s talk if you want,” wrote Christina Applegate.
- “Love you @OfficialJLD. Thinking of you and all the brave women today,” wrote Bobby Moynihan.
- “Thoughts and prayers are with you, Julia. God bless you. Stay strong,” wrote Rita Wilson.
- “I am heartbroken today to hear about @OfficialJLD but I know that if anyone is strong enough to fight this & beat it, it’s her. We love you,” wrote Josh Gad.
- “Stay strong. It is a club none of us wanted to join but there are amazing women with you in the struggle,” wrote Andrea Mitchell.
- “Love you Julia. You got this,” wrote Wanda Sykes.
- “Sending you love and light and prayers of support,” wrote Roma Downey.
- “We Veeps stick together, Jill and I, and all of the Bidens, are with you, Julia,” wrote Joe Biden.
- “It is possible to be dignified and fierce at the same time. I, and millions others, send Julia our love and support,” wrote Armando Iannucci.
- “J sending all my healing energy your way. You are incredible to use this moment as an opportunity to support others. Thank you. Much love xd,” wrote Debra Messing.
- “I love @OfficialJLD, she’s one of the strongest people I know and cancer is gonna be real sorry it tried any weird moves on her,” wrote Lena Dunham.
- “Sending you love and strength,” wrote Patricia Arquette.
- “We are with you. Sending you so much love. YOU ARE a MIGHTY FORCE!,” wrote Janelle Monáe, Cindi.
- “Sending love to this amazing, strong woman. Love you @OfficialJLD,” wrote Sheryl Crow.
- “For your bravery, thank you. Sending you love and healing,” wrote Mayim Bialik.
- “I love you, @OfficialJLD,” wrote Ellen DeGeneres.
Dreyfus’s co-stars and writers even recorded a version of the popular song by Queen, “We Are the Champions”, and a lip sync of a song by Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”, to help cheer her up during her battle with breast cancer. “Whoever's number one on the call sheet, who's the star, sets the tone. And she's so giving and kind and a team player -- and that makes a massive difference” said Tony Hale, Dreyfus’s co-star on Veep. Dreyfus is merely one of many celebrities who have gone public with their battles against breast cancer and who continue to advocate on behalf of breast cancer patients and survivors.
“Our love and support go out to Julia and her family at this time. We have every confidence she will get through this with her usual tenacity and undaunted spirit, and look forward to her return to health and to HBO for the final season of Veep,” stated HBO.
References
http://people.com/tv/veep-production-postponed-julia-louis-dreyfus-breast-cancer-treatment/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julia-louis-dreyfus-veep-breast-cancer-diagnosis/
http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/julia-louis-dreyfus-breast-cancer-celebrity-reactions-1202575563/
