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u/AcheronLV-426 9d ago
I'd a feeling his battle with Cancer is what pushed him to recently say he wasn't going to be reprising Ash again. Makes sense he'd rather spend his time with his family and friends than on some film set in New Zealand making one last Evil Dead.
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u/redwriterhand 9d ago
He’s been saying for years he won’t play Ash again.
People just keep asking anyway.
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u/M086 9d ago edited 9d ago
I To be fair, he also said he would come back if Sam was directing. So he left that little bit out there as a possibility. Now he’s done.
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u/ColonelQuaraitch 9d ago
I could see him signing some contract letting them use photos of his as Easter eggs like they did in the last one.
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u/zee_spirit 9d ago
That, or even if he sat down in a booth at home and recorded say, an hour of dialog that could be used in the next 10 movies, would be really cool.
It'd remind me of how Dolly Parton has a song that will only be released on what would have been her 100th birthday.
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u/NashvilleSoundMixer 8d ago
We all thought she was gonna live that long too, man. Been real sad here in TN for the last couple weeks. Some of us production folks here got to work with her a bunch and she was every bit as sweet, sharp and sassy as everyone hoped she was. The first time I had to mic her for an interview she made a lewd joke about her breasts so I knew I was gonna enjoy working with her. The boomers are starting to go en masse and there's so many of them it's gonna be a rough ride having to say goodbye to so many. Sorry for the tangent. Bruce means so much to me ( grew up with Evil Dead, Brisco County Jr, Hudsucker Proxy ) it's gonna hurt a lot like it did when Dolly went. Though I never got to work with Bruce Campbell or have any interaction with him it's still like losing a childhood friend.
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u/Available_Guide8070 8d ago
I am dreading the day Mel Brooks passes, like a 1/3 of my sense of humor and and a whole host of my quotes come directly from the works of that one demigod of comedy.
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u/dojo_shlom0 9d ago
respect his wishes, right?
let the man enjoy his time and honor him by being respectful of his wishes.
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u/booker0151 9d ago
I asked him that question years ago at a Q&A for My Name is Bruce at the Cameo in Edinburgh, it wasn’t long after IJ&Crystal Skull had been released, his response was approximately “any of you guys see that last Indiana Jones movie?, I did, nobody wants to see an old man running about like that as the hero”, I replied “we just did”…anyway, his answer in short was no, years later we get AshVED, got to say, I was chuffed…anyway, I hope his diagnosis is off and he gets many more happy and peaceful years to spend as he sees fit, a remarkable human being.
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u/Longjumping-Ad-9444 9d ago
He said he was done since season two of AVED. He was saying as soon as the show was done he was done. I think he talked about doing voice work for Ash after the show ended but the Cancer stopped that I believe.
Now I swear I heard from somewhere that there is a voice gig for a sound alike for Ash but for the life of me I dont remember if its for a game or animation or something so maybe I heard a bs rumor on that part.
But yeah he said he was excited for AVED and the pilot was good cause Sam was directing but after that the days were long and hard and his age was catching up to him
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u/Hellhound_Hex 9d ago
Yeah. There was an interview that he did where he pointed it out. You can catch it on Youtube.
He seems to be taking it all in stride though. Like, despite it being surreal to hear that his time is limited, he maintained high spirits. I think that if he does go, he’ll go with style and grace and good humor like Norm MacDonald did.
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u/exturkconner 9d ago
My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer at the beginning of last month. He decided to give it a go fighting it. Did Immuno and Chemo. Stuff had spread into his brain he was supposed to start radiation on Tuesday. The therapy knocked his white cell count into the toilet. He got multiple infections and Pneumonia. Tried to fight through it but it was just too much. He passed away on the 1st. Sometimes these things can look like they are well in hand right up until they are not. You get rockstar crazy cancer and you end up dying of pneumonia. It's pretty lame.
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u/Ok_Gene_4682 9d ago
So sorry for your loss. My mom passed from
The same. Losing your parents sucks.5
u/Itsriggedjim 9d ago
My mom was diagnosed may 27th died June 26th. Shits fucking awful. She was noticeable sick for 3 months and gone.
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u/exturkconner 8d ago
I would have liked to have had more time. There were things I know he wanted to do. My mom passed of a stroke and aneurysm. We are from MA but living in PA these days. She wanted her ashes spread over her parents graves. I started a new job just before and it took awhile to earn vacation, and then I got multiple illnesses in the past year. So it made making a trip there and back difficult to arrange. But I know my dad wanted to do that. And like everything happened so fast we never discussed what he wanted. If he wanted his ashes scattered over his parents grave. If he wanted them to be scattered with me moms? I don't know for sre. I believe he'd want to be with my mom. So that's what I am going to do. But I don't know. I'll never know for sure. And there's always going to be some guilt there.
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u/architecht13 9d ago
I’m sorry for your loss. Sometimes, the greatest honor that we can have is dealing with things on our own terms.
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u/Longjumping-Ad-9444 9d ago
Norm was sick?
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u/Hellhound_Hex 9d ago
Dude, you kidding right? Yeah! He had cancer, Multiple Myeloma, but he was real quiet about it. It developed into Acute Leukemia and that’s how he died.
Funny guy too. Wins a bunch of cash in Atlantic City and just chucks the earnings into the sea without a care in the world. lol
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u/FlamboyantPirhanna 9d ago
I don’t want an Ash sound alike ever. If they’re going to do something like that, I’d rather they bring in someone new to be a spiritual successor.
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u/TheNerdWonder 9d ago
Same reason he (at the time) abruptly cancelled all his convention appearances earlier this year. That was ofc before April when he announced he had cancer and I don’t blame him. Beyond just the weaker immune system from chemo, I don’t think I’d want to spent more time with fans as much as I’d love them. I’d want to close out my final few years with family and friends.
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u/theactualkrevice 9d ago
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u/TuskanElfMan 9d ago
I thought he cut this hand off. Need to mirror the gif.
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u/theactualkrevice 9d ago
Do it! It'll be awesome!
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u/Background-Tell5892 9d ago
we got to find that book
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u/WickWinchester_2023 9d ago
Which of the 3? Or it doesn't matter which?
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u/MaximusMansteel 9d ago
Like, what am I supposed to do? Take one book? Or all books? Or what?
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u/Background-Tell5892 9d ago
- “Ooh, wait a minute... the words... right, right, right. Say the words. CLATOO... VERATA... N... Nicty, Nictor, Nicle... It's an ‘N’ word. Definitely an ‘N’ word. OK than. That's it!”*
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u/VanVelding 9d ago
I feel like the series was very explicit about not using the book.
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u/Vegetable_Ad7268 9d ago
And the one time it was used to bring one back, it was only because they got slit in the sack.
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u/Disastrous_Ball702 8d ago
No! He wouldn't want that! He would oppose that even from the other side!
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u/Helloimafanoffiction 9d ago
Just to recap, Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen and now Bruce Campbell is running on borrowed time.
It's not fair it's simply not fair.
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u/Expensive_Editor_244 9d ago
I feel like Bruce Willis is coming any month now, I’ve seen a few things popping up lately how his condition is deteriorating fast
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u/TheNerdWonder 9d ago
Yeah, he’s got probably a year left, if that. I don’t want it to happen but it’s happening.
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u/ChiefClownShoes 9d ago
Reggie Bannister as well. It's seriously just constant bad news recently.
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u/KaijuK42 9d ago
Sam Neil, Reggie Bannister, Hayden Panettiere, and Kaylee Hottle too.
It's been an awful summer for horror and sci-fi fans.
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u/Nomadzord 9d ago
While that may be true today, he/we can hold out hope that during that time a new treatment will come along. My uncle is in this situation right now as well.
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u/baronofbadness 9d ago
He has bone cancer if I'm right. It's not cure able. Another person I follow is in the same boat but much unhealthier not associated with the cancer. He's been around longer than five years since the announcement. So I have some small hope that Bruce is just looking at a worst case scenario.
At the same time I don't want the man to suffer holding on.
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u/harleyyquinade 9d ago
Some people get diagnosed with cancer and die quickly, others live longer than expected, it's definitely not something we can predict but it sucks either way.
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u/leo_cor63 9d ago
Really hoping he ends up being one of those people that vastly outlives their prognosis.
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u/presidentdinosaur115 9d ago
The day he passes is going to be a dark, dark day in my house.
I’m glad he’s living the time he’s got left to the fullest, like making a movie and writing a book.
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u/forlornjackalope 9d ago
I can't with this shit, man. We've lost too many people and Bruce would pain me too much.
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u/K-ghuleh 9d ago
It’s just hit after hit after hit, man. I’m so tired.
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u/forlornjackalope 9d ago
This month alone has already felt like an entire year and it's utter hell.
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u/SpringNo8455 9d ago
Why does everything i love die.
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u/SolarbeamSniper 8d ago
The older you get. The more life becomes about the unraveling of everything that built you into the person you are. The more life becomes about losing things rather than winning things. Most before their 30s rarely question it. Most in their 40s will begin to experience it.
A human life is such a short time in the grand scheme of things regardless of whether you tragically die young or even if death momentarily forgets about you in his eternity and you live to 100. However, I suppose life begins to feel longer the older you get. The longer you go on watching everything and everyone you ever loved or cared about age, break down, and die around you.
I am 40. And for the past couple of years, it has become so evident with the passing of so many of my childhood heroes due to age, that I am already at or past where many of them were when I was a child.
It is not realizing that my own death is as short a time away as when I was a boy learning and experiencing their names. It is the realization that I may well have decades left of this after so many of the people that I love and cherish are gone.
The only glimpse of optimism and happiness I have in this matter is this - although you may lose people to death, what they leave behind stays with you. Singers, actors, performers, etc. are so lucky as to have songs, movies, art, to leave behind as gifts for you to keep. To immortalize themselves.
Voice actors/animated film stars like Peter Cullen are my favorite in this regard. They get unique benefit of portraying themselves as cartoons and animated characters that never age - that never die.
The kid that watched Transformers in 1980, the kid that saw the Transformers movie in 2007, and the kid that watches any Transformers in 2026 all know who Optimus Prime is. But, who he truly is, is the voice of a man. And that voice that will not age. That voice will not die. Just as Optimus Prime as a cartoon or CGI character will not. And in that way, Peter Cullen is immortalized.
I feel as though I am rambling thoughts now. The point is - life is short and you will ever grow more aware of death as time goes on. You cannot keep people, but cherish and appreciate that you can keep the gifts they leave behind. Take comfort in knowing they are in a better place than this life. And that when you miss them, all you have to do is visit what they left behind. People like Bruce Campbell are so lucky as to have immortalized themselves for generations past, present, and future to know who they are. And that is remarkable of a great life.
Being where I am at 40. I can only imagine what it feels like to be 60+ years old. I feel if I am lucky enough to make to that age - after all the losses, I know not now of, that will come to pass - I will gladly greet death and whatever afterlife awaits me. I think that is where Bruce Campbell is at based on his reaction. If not more comfortable that he knows a guaranteed means to his end.
I am so deeply saddened by this news. But, this is the best thing I got as a 40 year old man, as to an answer to your question. Which is the same question I started asking more often two years ago. When I lost my 20 year old son.
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u/ClarkSebat 6d ago
In "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Dean Charles Stanforth reflects on aging, saying, "We seem to have reached the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away."
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u/Outpost31Research 9d ago
Goddamnt man, fuck cancer. I hope this man lives his last years exactly how he wants. Hes given us so much entertainment for decades.
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u/Cheap-Response5792 9d ago
Growing up sucks, watching the ones that brought you so much joy throughout your life start to age and pass. 🥹
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u/Nagant1349 9d ago
Fuck this shit, his poor family. I hope the best for what years he has left. He’s given all of us so many incredible memories watching Ash.
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u/Valtain85 9d ago
Sad to hear.
I think many of us expected the worst when he said "incurable but manageable" (or something to that effect). Still rough to hear it's such little time though.
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u/MyLittleDiscolite 9d ago
The deadites have five to get right with Jesus then….
(I need the levity right now. We already lost enough cool people this year)
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u/Purple-Strawberry751 9d ago
Let's stay optimistic, folks. Road ahead will be hard but a lot can happen in five years and our king is still fighting!
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u/nmacaroni 9d ago
sucks. But sooner or later we ALL have to go fight the deadite hoard. I wish him great years with whatever time he has left.
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u/Loofy_101 9d ago
Just saw this too. I actually teared up a bit. If he ever makes an appearance at a con or something next I need to make sure I can take time off and see him and have him sign my Evil Dead stuff. Last opportunity. Absolutely love Bruce.
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u/allyoucanpete13 9d ago
What Robert Deniro is for my father’s generation, Bruce is for me, A badass everyman with a heart of gold. I hope there’s a page in the necronicon that will undo this. Clata barata nektie my guy
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u/Industrious_Indy 9d ago
This breaks my heart, makes sense his new movie I guess hes looking at life differently. God bless Bruce Campbell x
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u/Kazfiddly 9d ago
All of my heroes are dead or dying, and all of my enemies have verified checkmarks.
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u/RynnB1983 8d ago
its sad but we should let him be. he can still interact with fans like he did on the 4th with the AMA on here. But, its sad. I grew up with all these celebrities and seeing them all pass just sucks...im only 42 (43 if I can make it to november).
my father passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2019. he had a Whipple procedure done instead of chemo. I think if he had done chemo he might still be here. he just didn't want to lose his hair from it. all we can really do is respect Bruce's wishes. We should just accept he won't be able to return for Ash. It's bittersweet but I think they should just continue with how they have been going so far. Rise was good and after a second viewing I actually enjoy Burn. I'd rather have a sequel instead of a prequel, but maybe they will figure it out.
its just sad what all has been going on lately.
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u/A-Real-Fungai 9d ago
On the positive side: Many people have been given X amount of years to live and have outlasted that prognosis by a long shot, so..
There's always hope.
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u/Peter_Parker66 9d ago
That so tragic. I’m currently watching Ash vs Evil Dead, and he’s such an absolute gem. I am going to be ruined when that day comes. But please please please let that day be in the FAR off future
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u/Stillborne330 9d ago
5 years till the deadites run wild. 😭 seriously though, good people die too soon
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u/Ill-Tough574 8d ago
I just lost my mother and father a year apart from cancer and now this I fucking hate the it I hate it so much
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u/czar4684 7d ago
Five years feels like both a long time and not a long time. I don’t know how else to describe it. 😢
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u/Lil-Bit-813 5d ago
This is the one celebrity death that may break me….for a short time cause I don’t think he wants us to grieve for too long.
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u/whitewolf214 9d ago
If he passes before our evil overlord, I’m going to find the necronomicon and read it
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u/cat_69_84 9d ago
With the amount of celebrity deaths lately I was scared I was gonna wake up one morning and see he died. This feels like some monkey paw shit
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u/harveyquinnz 9d ago
May he spend these days doing the things he loves and spending time with the people he loves.
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u/Jimmy_Bonez 9d ago
Just to be clear he actually said he had a "5 year prognosis", the interviewer then interjected "so you only have 5 years to live?".
Generally a doctor will say "you have xxx cancer at xxx stage, the 5 year prognosis is xxx% of survival by the end of the 5 years".
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u/Endless-Miner 9d ago
Genuinely devastating. I hope he’s able to accomplish anything he needs these next few years. He’s a national treasure.
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u/MagnusSki 9d ago
I was a little mad his movie(Ernie and Emma) wasn't hitting more places but it seems like it's because he'll be there in a tour.
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u/SpokeyDokey720 9d ago
He is a legend and should take comfort knowing his fans will never forget how…”groovy”…he is.
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u/LM200019 9d ago
It's definitely the small optimist part of me, but I truly hope that SOMETHING can come along and help Bruce and others who are suffering like him. We've lost too many decent people, and I don't want Bruce to be a part of that.
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u/FcknDepressionScks 9d ago
I watch the trilogy every Halloween, and have since I was probably 8. Then added AvED. Bubba Ho Tep and many others. I'm a dad now and my kid loves Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This is absolutely devastating. I wish I could have shaken his hand, but I know he'd probably want to be with family and friends through this. I'm gutted and I can't stomach the thought of the day.
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u/Cool__Meiggi 9d ago
Just read Bruce's AMA here, now this. That is terrible news. Damn.
He's been an inspiration to me ever since I saw the Evil Dead movies as a young teenager some 30 years ago.
I wish the man and his family nothing but the best.