Christina Applegate made a rare public appearance at the Emmy Awards, and as the Dead to Me actress walked on stage to present the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series award, the audience greeted her with a standing ovation. However, some were surprised to see Applegate using a cane to aid her.
The actress, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2021 at the age of 49 during the filming of the third and final season of Dead to Me, gracefully accepted the standing ovation with humor. Escorted by the evening’s host, Anthony Anderson, she jokingly commented, “You’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up. It’s fine.”
Multiple Sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to issues with vision, balance, and limb coordination. While symptoms can be treated, it’s a lifelong condition. Typically diagnosed in people between 20 to 40, it can occur earlier or later, as in Applegate’s case. The condition slightly reduces average life expectancy and is more prevalent in women than men.
Applegate, despite facing the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis, was able to finish filming Dead to Me’s final season. However, she acknowledged in her Emmy’s speech that it might be her last role. Filming had to be adjusted to accommodate her MS, a difficult process that the actress and the crew successfully managed. Applegate received Emmy recognition for her performance in the show.
Her decades-long career, which began when she was just three months old on Days of Our Lives with her mother, has been celebrated by fellow actresses and actors. From her early TV debut to roles in Married… with Children and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Applegate has left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry.
While her IMDb page indicates one upcoming project in pre-production, it remains uncertain if Applegate will participate. With little chance of her condition improving, the actress has embraced her diagnosis, continuing to attend events like the Emmys. Her ability to adapt, overcome challenges, and even make light-hearted jokes about her situation reflects her resilience in the face of adversity.