Actors Who Kept Making Movies Despite Knowing They Were Terminally Ill

Some Hollywood actors can’t be stopped even when they’re running around with terminal illnesses behind the scenes. Their uncanny commitment adds an emotional depth to their final roles, turning them into generational legacies. From Alan Rickman’s quiet but powerful showstopper in Alice Through the Looking Glass to Chadwick Boseman’s fantastic depiction of the Wakandan king in Black Panther, these brave actors remained unbroken and left an indelible mark.

Let’s honor the actors who kept making movies despite being on death’s door, proving that if you’re passionate about your craft, nothing can stop you from achieving greatness.

1. John Cazale

Did you know that each of Cazale’s 5 movies was nominated for an Oscar? Famous for roles in The Godfather series and Dog Day Afternoon, Cazale was among Hollywood’s most respected. Cazale was battling terminal lung cancer while working on The Deer Hunter. His dedication led to a powerful final performance, though he passed before seeing the fruits of his labor.

2. Raul Julia

Julia was known for his outstanding acting chops, so seeing him in a campy and, honestly, really bad live-action Street Fighter movie was kind of a surprise. Living with stomach cancer, he accepted the role of General M. Bison as a tribute to his kids, who loved the video game. Though weakened by his illness, Julia threw himself into the role, delivering a pretty decent main villain performance that fans still appreciate. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after the movie wrapped.

3. Alan Rickman

Best known for playing Severus Snape in Harry Potter, Alan Rickman was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 and had to make the hardest decision of his life. He could have stepped away from acting to focus on recovery but instead chose to finish the saga. In 2015, Rickman received a second diagnosis – pancreatic cancer. The actor kept the bad news to himself while still working on Eye in the Sky and Alice Through the Looking Glass. The latter one was released after Rickman’s passing, with a tribute honoring his legacy.