20 Celebs Who Gave Interviews When They Knew They Were Dying

20 Celebs Who Gave Interviews When They Knew They Were Dying

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at interviews that celebrities gave whilst facing their own mortality after a terminal diagnosis.

Tammy Faye Messner

Arguably better-known as Tammy Faye Bakker, this televangelist famously promoted progressive views after the downfall of her corrupt first husband Jim. She never lost her faith, though, even during a cancer battle that spanned 11 years. Messner discussed this in multiple interviews on “Larry King Live,” including one on July 18, 2007. She passed away just two days later. She was shockingly emaciated and struggling for breath in her last appearance, but still eager to talk. Accompanied by her son Jay Bakker, Messner reaffirmed her love for both God and the LGBTQ community that championed her activism. It was an iconic moment of progressive piety and accepting a terrible fate with grace.

Irrfan Khan

The whole world was shocked by the passing of the revered actor Irrfan Khan in 2020. He had been battling cancer for two years with his usual dignified resolve, managing to film a sequel to “Hindi Medium.” In truth, he wasn’t able to do an in-person interview with Gulf News to promote the highly-anticipated comedy. He instead communicated via email, but movingly communicated his artistic process and existential thoughts even in writing. He even expressed hope for a comeback that he knew would be short-lived. Khan died of an infection just one month after the release of “Angrezi Medium,” but his international fanbase will forever adore his diverse body of work.

Gord Downie

It was a cultural event in Canada when Gord Downie sat down with CBC’s “The National” in 2016. The frontman of The Tragically Hip had glioblastoma, which impaired cognitive function so severely that he had to write famed interviewer Peter Mansbridge’s name on his hand to remember it. They had known each other for 25 years. Downie nonetheless spoke enthusiastically about his band’s farewell tour, his debut solo album, and his activism. He also said that he had accepted every aspect of his mortality except for how it would affect his children, whose names he sometimes struggled to recall. The national treasure passed away a year after his final interview aired.

Frank Zappa

Reclusive avant-garde rocker Frank Zappa could approach any topic with humor in his art and sophistication in conversation. That’s certainly how he approached the topic of himself in interviews throughout 1993, the year he was to die from cancer. He notably smoked, composed and discussed his health on NBC’s “The Today Show.” When Jamie Gangel asked Zappa how he wants to be remembered, he said, “It’s not important.” Such was the palpable tone in later print interviews in which he more thoroughly reflected on his politics, philosophy and music. Zappa was never romantic about his mortality or the state of the world, but seemed content during those iconic appearances in the final months of his life.

Michael Landon

The legendary TV actor Michael Landon succumbed to cancer just three months after he was diagnosed in 1991. He spent that time in the media to counter tabloid gossip and raise awareness about the health risks in smoking and drinking. Landon’s final TV appearance would be on “The Tonight Show,” where his significant weight loss was visible. Still, he kept up his good humor and enthusiasm. By the time he sat down with Life magazine for a feature article, he had accepted that he was likely to die, but restated his determination to survive. Landon’s legacy as a screen icon would be matched only by his very public courage during his final days.

Yul Brynner

Over a year after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Yul Brynner was still touring with “The King and I.” He appeared on “Good Morning America” in 1985 to discuss the show, his life, and the certainty that it was about to end. The revered actor said that the only role he was interested in at that point was a posthumous campaign against the tobacco that contributed to his condition. Brynner looked at the camera and said, [“Now that I'm gone, I tell you, ‘Don't smoke. Whatever you do, just don't smoke.’”] Per his wishes, the American Cancer Society isolated this soundbite for a commercial in the wake of Brynner’s death later that year.

Warren Zevon

October 30, 2002 marked the last public appearance that the eccentric singer-songwriter Warren Zevon would make. He had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and was given an opportunity to say his peace by his good friend David Letterman. “The Late Show” dedicated an entire episode to showcasing Zevon’s wit, introspection and live showmanship. It was arguably one of the most iconic moments in the history of talk shows, particularly for these words of wisdom: [“You put more value in every minute. It's more valuable now. You're reminded to enjoy every sandwich.”] This would be Zevon’s epitaph, though he had another year to record the album “The Wind” and enjoy his sandwiches.

Rock Hudson

In July of 1985, the Christian Broadcasting Network premiered the talk show “Doris Day’s Best Friends” with screen legend Rock Hudson as the first guest. It was a wholesome chat which featured dogs, but it was hard to ignore that Hudson looked very ill. And the public weren't buying the behind-the-scenes story that he had a bad case of the flu. So on July 25, Hudson became the first major celebrity to publicly disclose that he was diagnosed with AIDS. He passed away just over two months later. After hiding so much throughout his distinguished career, Hudson publicly representing his condition galvanized activism to ensure that it didn't have to be a death sentence.

Eric Dane

The Netflix interview show “Famous Last Words” releases its episodes only after their subject has died. Anthropologist Jane Goodall may have known that the end was near at age 91, but she would ultimately pass from natural causes. That was sadly not the case for actor Eric Dane, whose health declined rapidly in the year after his 2025 diagnosis with ALS. He could no longer walk and struggled to speak as he led a retrospective of his impressive career. No less impressive was his passion throughout the discussion, which he ended with a lengthy message of love and resilience to his daughters. Dane’s “Famous Last Words” episode was released three months after it was filmed, the day after his death.

Farrah Fawcett

It was bold for TV icon Farrah Fawcett to not only open up about her cancer returning in 2007. She commissioned an NBC documentary about her condition and treatment as they turned bleak two years later. During production, she granted the Los Angeles Times an interview that was later released to promote “Farrah’s Story.” This chat allowed her to go deeper into her views on the American healthcare system and experience with media intrusion. These subjects being undercut in the final version of “Farrah’s Story” famously led to a lawsuit around the time of Fawcett’s death in 2009. But with her commitment to raising awareness of a most sensitive subject, she herself was a class act to the very end.

Charlton Heston

Starring in classic films like “Ben-Hur” and “Planet of the Apes,” few actors dominated the screen like Charlton Heston. Even as he started taking fewer lead roles, Heston remained in the public eye with high-profile cameos and as the president of the NRA. Heston permanently stepped away from the spotlight after announcing he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in August 2002. That December, Heston and his wife Lydia Clarke ​welcomed journalist Peter Jennings into their home. Jennings could tell that the disease was already affecting the aging Heston, who struggled to remember things. Despite putting on a brave face, Heston suspected he would be afraid as his condition inevitably worsened. This would be Heston’s final televised interview before his passing in April 2008.

Alex Trebek

It was impossible to imagine “Jeopardy!” without Alex Trebek for over 35 years. While the long-running game show could last forever, it became clear in 2019 that Trebek’s phenomenal tenure would soon end. The TV legend was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Seeking treatment, Trebek remained committed to his “Jeopardy!” duties. All the while, Trebek opened up about his illness in several interviews. Trebek maintained an optimistic attitude, expressing an eagerness to return to the “Jeopardy!” set. At the same time, Trebek didn’t sugarcoat his condition, saying that he wasn’t afraid to die. Between interviews, Trebek balanced work and treatment for twenty months. Trebek shot his final “Jeopardy!” episode in October 2020, passing away several days later.

John McCain

This Arizona senator overcame cancer in the past. Yet, nothing could prepare him for July 2017. After doctors discovered a blood clot over his left eye, McCain was rushed into surgery. Weeks after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, McCain returned to the Senate where he helped preserve the Affordable Care Act. While McCain had a fighting spirit, treatment wouldn’t buy him much more than another year or so. That September, McCain and wife Cindy Hensley sat down with Lesley Stahl of “60 Minutes” at their ranch. In addition to discussing Donald Trump’s presidency, McCain talked about his health and the legacy he hoped to leave behind. “60 Minutes” revisited the interview in August 2018 following the former Republican presidential nominee’s death.

Steve Jobs

In January 2006, Steve Jobs shared a close-knit secret with Disney CEO Bob Iger: his cancer was back. While Jobs was committed to seeing his son graduate high school, he knew he’d be lucky to survive that long. While Jobs didn’t regularly make public appearances, he was still the face of Apple. Over the following years, Jobs promoted the iPhone as the game changer it was in presentations and interviews. In 2010, Jobs gave one of his final interviews at the D8 Conference, comparing PCs to trucks and Apple products to cars. Although Jobs filled the room with charisma, speculations concerning his health continued to grow. It nonetheless came as a shock when Jobs announced his resignation in August 2011, only two months before dying.

Anthony Perkins

In September 1992, Anthony Perkins passed away due to AIDS-related complications. The actor best known for playing Norman Bates had been privately seeking treatment over the past two years, only recently announcing his condition to the public. A month after Perkins died, AMC aired what turned out to be his last interview with film professor Richard Brown. Perkins reflected on his work in films like “Desire Under the Elms,” “Friendly Persuasion,” and, of course, “Psycho.” The focus remained on Perkins’s career and the craft of acting. As the interview concluded, though, Perkins mentioned how lucky he felt to still be alive and working. While Perkins appeared hopeful about the future, his illness soon took its toll. This retrospective interview thus served as a bittersweet farewell.

Patrick Swayze

The star of “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” was in the middle of filming the show “The Beast” upon learning that he had stage IV pancreatic cancer. Swayze finished his work on the season while undergoing treatment. He also found the strength to speak with Barbara Walters. With his wife Lisa Niemi ​by his side, Swayze expressed gratitude to those who had sent letters of support. Swayze was grateful that he had made it through ten months of treatment, confident he could keep going. Even so, Swayze knew his time was limited. Best-case scenario, Swayze thought he’d lived another five years, although he felt two was more realistic. Unfortunately, it was even less. Swayze died in September 2009, nine months after the interview aired.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman found out he had stage III colon cancer in 2016. Over the next four years, he turned Black Panther into a universal icon. Beyond the MCU, Boseman appeared in several other projects while privately enduring chemo and surgeries. Making Boseman’s accomplishments all the more heroic, he never showed any signs of declining health in interviews. Watching Boseman laugh alongside late-night hosts, he seemed like an actor with a long career ahead. As his cancer advanced to stage IV, though, Boseman’s life was cut tragically short. During a 2018 interview, Boseman tearfully mentioned two terminally ill children determined to live long enough to see “Black Panther.” This interview is even more emotional knowing Boseman’s secret struggles and how his legacy continues to inspire.

Olivia Newton-John

After surviving two previous experiences with cancer, Olivia Newton-John faced another round in 2017. The “Grease” star appeared resilient as she addressed her cancer’s return during interviews with “60 Minutes Australia” and the “Today” show. Discussing treatment, Newton-John seemed assured she could overcome cancer again. Throughout the next five years, Newton-John gave updates about her life and health in several interviews. While Newton-John always sounded upbeat, she revealed in a 2021 interview with “Extra” that her cancer hadn’t gone away. In February 2022, Newton-John spoke with Direct Talk, saying that her favorite expression was, “This too will pass.” It would sadly be a parting message, as Newton-John passed away that August. Yet, her contributions to breast cancer research are still making a difference.

Karen Black

Many celebrities have given interviews knowing it might be their last, but few have taken an approach quite like Karen Black. The Oscar-nominated actress received her ampullary cancer diagnosis in November 2010. Having part of her pancreas removed, Black lost a significant amount of weight and struggled to get out of bed. As her condition worsened, Black decided that she wanted to document the final stages of her life. According to journalist Elliot Mintz, Black contacted him about a month before her passing in August 2013. At her request, Mintz interviewed Black from her hospital bed. The two talked about her life and career, as well as their friendship. Years later, Mintz reflected that nothing in his “broadcast life” had prepared him for that conversation.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty had a history of medical issues, including a bout with stage III breast cancer in 2015. Although Doherty entered remission in 2017, the cancer eventually returned and advanced to stage IV. After initially keeping her diagnosis private, Doherty shared her harrowing experience in an ABC interview. By 2023, the cancer spread to her brain and bones. The writing was on the wall, but Doherty didn’t give up on treatment. In another ABC interview, Doherty provided an update on her condition and talked about her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear.” Through this memoir of sorts, Doherty shared insight into her career and cancer. She also found time to answer questions from fans. Doherty continued to record the podcast regularly until her death in July 2024.

What are some other high-profile and memorable final interviews? Sit down with the comments below.