Christina Applegate’s “Married… With Children” co-star David Faustino is sharing a heartbreaking update on how the actress is doing as she continues her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Faustino, who famously played Bud Bundy opposite Christina Applegate’s Kelly Bundy on the beloved sitcom, revealed the actress has been candid with him about the difficult reality of living with the debilitating autoimmune disease.
Speaking to Us Weekly, Faustino admitted it has been difficult watching his longtime friend navigate the disease after Applegate was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2021.
“It’s extremely difficult for me to understand having a debilitating disease,” Faustino said. “I can’t. I don’t know what that’s like. I can only go from her experience and what she’s told me. I admire her being strong in the face of this, even though it’s been a real blow.”
The actor also revealed that despite the challenges, Applegate has managed to maintain the sharp wit fans have long associated with her. “It’s been very hard for her, but she does keep her humor,” Faustino shared.
Applegate Is Still Using Humor To Get Through It
According to Faustino, Applegate’s trademark sarcasm has remained intact despite the life-altering diagnosis.
The actor recalled that the actress had a “dry, sarcastic sense of humor since the moment I met her” while filming “Married… With Children,” which ran for 10 seasons before ending in 1997. “Nothing has changed,” Faustino said, describing Applegate as still “extremely sarcastic, extremely dry.”
“She gets through this with some humor, and that’s kind of her way that she moves through it,” Faustino said before adding that he continues to be a constant source of support for the actress. “I’m there as a support, as a person on her team that gives her as much love as I can.”
David Faustino Says He Frequently Checks In On Christina Applegate
The longtime friends have remained close since the sitcom wrapped decades ago, with Faustino saying they have leaned on one another even more since Applegate’s diagnosis.
“I do a lot of visits with her. A lot of texting, a lot of checking in. A lot of funny just crap that we talk about. And that’s all I can do, right? Give her my love,” he said. “We do have deep convos when we sit. But we also keep the laughter [going] as well.”
Applegate has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years as she manages her health. Her last major red carpet appearance came at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Applegate Previously Opened Up About Her Health Struggles
In recent years, Applegate has spoken candidly about the physical toll MS has taken on her body. Earlier this year, the actress revealed she had been hospitalized more than 30 times due to what she described as “unimaginable” pain connected to the disease.
Speaking on her “MesSY” podcast with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Applegate said, “This is really important because for three years, since I was diagnosed, I’ve been in the hospital upwards of 30 times from throwing up, diarrhea and pain that is unimaginable.”
“They’ve done every test known to man on me, put so much radiation into my body from CT scans to everything else,” she continued.
Christina Applegate’s Loved Ones Are Reportedly Bracing For The Worst
As Applegate continues navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis, the emotional toll has reportedly extended beyond the actress herself and onto those closest to her. During the March 31 episode of the “MesSY” podcast, Jamie-Lynn Sigler revealed she and Applegate would be taking a brief hiatus amid their respective book tours. Applegate’s memoir offers an emotional look into her ongoing battle with the neurodegenerative disease.
Following reports of Applegate’s recent hospitalization, sources close to the actress reportedly opened up about how deeply her health struggles have affected her inner circle. According to a source, “everyone has it in the back of their minds that they might not have a tomorrow with her.”
Another insider claimed Applegate experiences “better days and really bad days,” but added, “she doesn’t have great days.” Still, the source noted Applegate continues fighting through the difficult moments with the support of her loved ones, who remain hopeful she will surpass expectations despite growing concerns surrounding her health.
