'Charlie's Angels' star Cheryl Ladd reveals breast cancer battle
"It was a humbling experience," Cheryl Ladd said, sitting next to "Angels" costars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. "I had wonderful doctors. But I was bald for quite a while."
Bryan AlexanderLOS ANGELES — Cheryl Ladd got personal speaking about her battle with breast cancer publicly for the first time on Monday night, April 6.
During the PaleyFest 50th anniversary celebration of the classic TV series "Charlie's Angels," Ladd, 74, opened up about her bout with cancer.
"Mine was an aggressive form," Ladd said from the Dolby Theatre stage, sitting next to "Charlie's Angels" costars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. "I had wonderful doctors. But I was bald for quite a while. It was a humbling experience."
Ladd gave thanks to her music producer husband Brian Russell, to whom she's been married since 1981, for helping to pull her through the difficult time.
"I have a wonderful husband. All through it, he was there for me at every turn, and that makes a difference," said Ladd. "Eventually, I started to get little sprouts of hair. It was like, 'Oh, I'm getting hair!' It was a long, long, hard road. But you just get through. You just get on with it."
After Ladd spoke, Smith, 80, who starred as Kelly Garrett on "Charlie's Angels," shared how she immediately helped her friend.
"The first thing I did was send her my wigs," said Smith, also a breast cancer survivor. "She was so brave. She did have a very aggressive form [of cancer]."
Smith was diagnosed and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment after a routine mammogram detected the breast cancer early in 2002.
"Early detection is the key," said Smith. "Every minute is important."
The actress credited “the power of girlfriends,” including the "Charlie's Angels" alums, and her family, for helping her emotionally during the time. Smith was at Jackson’s bedside during her co-star's cancer battle.
Jackson, 77, who played Sabrina on "Charlie's Angels," is a two-time breast cancer survivor who has become a strong advocate for early detection.
Ladd famously took over the role of Kris Munroe in "Charlie's Angels" from Farrah Fawcett, who was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006 and died from the disease three years later at age 62 in 2009.
"If you find a little something in either of your breasts, don't ignore it," said Ladd. "It might be nothing. But go quickly and find out for yourself."
In addition to the PaleyFest event, the Paley Center will pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of "Charlie's Angels" with a celebration on May 14 in New York City.