Dolph Lundgren Reveals He Considered Ending His Life During Secret Cancer Battle
Actor Dolph Lundgren reveals in his new memoir that he considered ending his life during his secret battle with cancer, before a new treatment saved him.
Dolph Lundgren has previously spoken about his long battle with cancer, but in his new memoir released last month, the renowned actor reveals just how close he came to giving up.
The Swedish actor, famous for his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV and as one of the stars of The Expendables franchise, shares that he considered seeking medical assistance to end his life and even discussed the possibility with his brother, Johan. At that point, he writes, he was depressed and had almost lost all hope. However, the conversations did not progress further, and a consultation with a new oncologist led to a change in treatment and a dramatic improvement in his condition.
A Battle Kept Secret for Years
Lundgren first spoke publicly about his illness in a May 2023 interview with Graham Bensinger, after spending eight years working and filming without disclosing his diagnosis to the public. According to the actor, a tumor was discovered in his kidney in 2015, which was surgically removed and found to be cancerous. For five years, he underwent regular follow-up checks until additional tumors were discovered in 2020.
He underwent surgery to remove six tumors, but was later told that a growth had also been found in his liver. This time, doctors informed him that it was inoperable due to its size. The treatment he received caused severe side effects and significant weight loss, yet he continued working, traveling to London in 2021 for the filming of The Expendables 4 and the Aquaman sequel.
I thought it was the end, Lundgren recalled in the interview, explaining that he felt no bitterness about his life but worried deeply about his daughters and his then-partner, now his wife, Emma Krokdal.
The Turning Point
The turning point came when he sought a second opinion from oncologist Dr. Alexandra Drakaki at UCLA. She identified a mutation in his tumors that is commonly found in lung cancer and adjusted his treatment accordingly. Within three months, he noted, the tumors shrank by 20 to 30 percent, and eventually by about 90 percent, offering him a new lease on life.
