Cheryl Ladd opened up about her long and challenging battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2002. Following the diagnosis, she underwent a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, and has since maintained a healthy life. The 74-year-old actress and singer, best known for her role as Kris Munroe on the iconic crime drama series Charlie’s Angels, shared her story during a panel discussion at PaleyFest in Los Angeles on April 6. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary TV show and featured a reunion with her former co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith.
During the discussion, Ladd described her experience with cancer as humbling, recalling the physical toll it took, including hair loss. She credited her recovery to the excellent medical care she received and the unwavering support of her husband, Brian Russell, to whom she has been married since 1981. “It was a long, long, hard road, but you just get on with it,” she said, reflecting on the difficult journey and the gradual regrowth of her hair.
Her openness about the illness was particularly significant as breast cancer has also affected her fellow cast members. Kate Jackson, who portrayed Sabrina Duncan, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and underwent lumpectomy and radiation. Unfortunately, her cancer returned in 1989, leading to reconstructive surgery and a partial mastectomy to overcome the disease a second time. Another Charlie’s Angels star, Farrah Fawcett, who played Jill Munroe, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and passed away three years later in 2009.
Jaclyn Smith, who played Kelly Garrett, expressed her admiration for Ladd’s bravery, recalling that the first thing she sent her were wigs to support her through treatment. Ladd urged the audience to take any breast changes seriously, emphasizing, “If you find a little something in your breasts… do not ignore it.”
Charlie’s Angels originally aired from September 22, 1976, to June 24, 1981, spanning five seasons. The series followed three talented women—Sabrina, Jill, and Kelly—who left routine police work to become private investigators for the Townsend Agency in Los Angeles, becoming a classic in the crime drama genre.
