‘Walking Dead’ Star Erik Jensen Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer

Martin Holmes October 25, 2023, 8:48 am

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Erik Jensen on red carpet — Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Lucille Lortel Theatre

The cast and crew of The Walking Dead have rallied around former cast member Erik Jensen, who has been diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer.

Scott M. Gimple, The Walking Dead‘s showrunner from Season 4 to Season 8, revealed the news on social media, directing fans to a GoFundMe page set up on the actor’s behalf.

“One of TWD’s own could use a little help,” Gimple wrote on Twitter/X. “Erik Jensen, who played Dr. Steven Edwards in S5 was just diagnosed with cancer, and it’s a time of great uncertainty for him and his family.”

“After miraculously surviving a brain aneurysm just a year and a half ago, our beloved Erik Jensen was just diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer,” the GoFundMe page reads. “As many of you know, Erik is a deeply devoted father to 13-year-old Sadie, who’s the light of his life [and] an incredible husband to Jessica, his partner in art and life for the last 23 years.”

One of TWD’s own could use a little help. Erik Jensen, who played Dr. Steven Edwards in S5 was just diagnosed with cancer, and it’s a time of great uncertainty for him and his family. If you want to send something his way: https://t.co/HU8bxlL2xA

— Scott M. Gimple (@ScottMGimple) October 23, 2023

“The cancer has metastasized to his liver, but Erik is young and strong (cutting a film during chemo, working full-time as a director and writer throughout) and his doctors think they have a shot at shrinking the tumors enough to do two very major surgeries and get them all out,” the statement continues. “He can make it through this. But Erik and his family are in for the fight of their lives, and they need your support.”

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“Stage IV is not a death sentence, and Erik is working incredibly hard to stay positive and fight for the shot that his doctors say he has,” the statement concludes.

As of writing, the GoFundMe has raised $86,992 of its $300,000 target.

Walking Dead regular Jeffrey Dean Morgan also shared a link to the fundraiser, writing, “Never had the chance to work with Erik. [But] have heard many things about what a great guy he is. I do know he and his [family] could use some help.”

Never had the chance to work with Erik… until now anyway. Only have heard many things about what a great guy he is. I do know he and his could use some help…. Of any and all kind. xojd https://t.co/qFmI9J111k

— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) October 24, 2023