Campbell remains best known for playing Ash Williams in the Evil Dead franchise, a role he first played in Sam Raimi's seminal 1981 horror film. With his time as Ash now behind him, Campbell, 68, confirmed in March that he had been diagnosed with cancer, which he described as the kind that's "treatable," but not "curable."
Speaking on The Adam Carolla Show (via The Detroit News) earlier this week, Campbell reveals that he only has five years left to live. "The current thing is a five-year deal," the Evil Dead star said of his cancer prognosis. When Carolla clarifies that Campbell means he's been given a five-year life expectancy, Campbell answers: "Give or take."
Campbell then commented on his outlook and how he is dealing with the cancer, explaining that he's elected not to fall down what he calls a cancer "rabbit hole." Check out his explanation below:
"I've decided, pretty specifically, to live with it, not die from it. You can go down a massive rabbit hole. The cancer rabbit hole is enormous. You can go into focus groups of 10,000 guys who have what you have. I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.
It's a whack-a-mole life, literally. Cancer compromises s--- inside your body. So then you go, 'deal with that,' so then you deal with that. And then you sort of wait for it to then compromise something else. Meanwhile, you're trying to put out the whole fire."
Campbell has not disclosed exactly what kind of cancer he has been diagnosed with, but his March announcement and his latest update have resulted in an outpouring of support. The support comes as Campbell remains busy as an actor.
Campbell's appearance on The Adam Carolla Show was to promote his new dramedy Ernie & Emma. Campbell wrote, directed, and stars in the film, which tells the story of a widower as he embarks on a moving journey to scatter his late wife's ashes.
In addition to Ernie & Emma, Campbell also recently had a voice performance in two episodes of Invincible, and he also voiced Owl in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas (2025). Campbell also starred in Peacock horror series Hysteria!, which was cancelled after one season in 2024.
Even though Campbell has confirmed that his tenure as Ash is over, he continues to work within the Evil Dead franchise in a limited capacity. He recently had an uncredited voice-only cameo in Evil Dead Rise (2023), and he also voiced Ash Evil Dead: The Game, which was released in 2022.
Campbell also remains involved in the horror franchise as an executive producer. He occupied this role on the most recent installment, Evil Dead Burn (2026). Directed by Sébastien Vanicek, the latest installment in the saga is notably darker and meaner, telling the story of a woman who attempts to survive in a mansion with her in-laws, who all start turning into Deadites.
Campbell is also credited as an executive producer on the upcoming Evil Dead Wrath. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 7, 2028, the next installment in the franchise takes place in 1972, with Francis Galluppi taking the reins as director.
More to come...
Birthdate
June 22, 1958
Birthplace
Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
Height
6 feet 1 inch
Professions
Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Author
Abby Grant/Cover Images
English (US) ·