The cast and fans of Friends are still mourning the loss of Matthew Perry. The beloved actor passed away in 2023 from accidental drowning after overdosing on ketamine. The cast faced another devastating loss earlier this year when the show’s director, James Burrows, passed away. Now, a star of the hit sitcom opened up and revealed their daughter’s heartbreaking cancer diagnosis.
Friends Star Reveals Daughter’s Heartbreaking Cancer Diagnosis
Friends was a huge hit as soon as it aired. The 1994 sitcom became a cultural phenomenon with “the Rachel” haircut and slang phrases that can still be heard today. The show went off the air in 2004 after 10 seasons. Over two decades later, it is still popular thanks to social media and streaming services.
The main storyline on the sitcom was Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) “will-they-or-won’t-they romance. The show flawlessly dragged the romance out for years with misunderstandings and poor timing. Rachel realized she had feelings for Ross at the end of Season 1, but when she went to tell him, she found him with another woman. He’d fallen for Julie (Lauren Tom). The romance was, of course, short-lived. Lauren Tom was only on the show for seven episodes, but they were memorable.
The actress, who starred in The Joy Luck Club, took to social media this week with a sad update about her daughter. “I wanted to share some tough news today…This is my beautiful daughter, Ellie. She is currently battling osteosarcoma, (bone cancer) and my family and I are doing everything we can to aid in her healing,” she wrote.
She went on to share a beloved quote from Mr. Rogers. “I am reminded of the Fred Rogers quote, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
Lauren Tom thanked the staff at the hospital and loved ones for their support.
Outpouring Of Support
The Friends star had one request: Leave a comment of support for her beloved daughter. Lauren Tom’s followers flooded the comments with stories of their own cancer survival or just prayers.
- “38-year osteosarcoma survivor here! (I was diagnosed at 15.) Just take things one day at a time and you’ll get through it.”
- “My wife is fighting breast cancer herself, will definitely include your wonderful daughter in my prayers as well! She’s got this!”
- “was dx with osteosarcoma when I was 21. Had a grapefruit sized tumor in my chest that also spread to my spine. The amazing docs and nurses at UCSF Children’s Hospital saved my life. I’m now 43 with two beautiful sons.”
- “I am praying for you dear Ellie! May God’s guardian angels lead you through this and you discover more love and hope along the healing journey.”
- “Sending you so much love, prayers & strength to you and your sweet girl!!!!!!”
Lauren Tom and her daughter are fighting for her life. Our thoughts go out to their family during this difficult time.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
