Disclaimer: This article refers to the diagnosis of ALS. Reader discretion is advised.Russell Andrews has shared his ALS diagnosis publicly for the first time, revealing that he lives with the fatal neurodegenerative disease Lou Gehrig’s disease. The 64-year-old actor, known for his work on ‘Straight Outta Compton’, ‘Better Call Saul’ and ‘Insecure’, opened up about his condition on Saturday (May 16) while appearing alongside his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel. He said he still wants to marry her, as he stepped into the role of caretaker.
Russell Andrews confirms ALS diagnosis on CNN
On CNN’s ‘The Story Is with Elex Michaelson,’ Andrews said, “I’m a person living with ALS.” CNN reports that Tazel will now take on the role of caregiver while the couple deals with his diagnosis. Andrews said he learned of the situation late last fall. “And it has been humbling, but there is… Elex, there is also something when I joined a family of very supportive people that I did not know a year ago: a clichéd family, but they have not lost a step for us in terms of care, attention, awareness and the ability to get me here today.“ALS destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. According to the Mayo Clinic, it causes muscle weakness, slurred speech, and eventually paralysis. The Muscular Dystrophy Association says there is no cure, and many people live three to four years after diagnosis, although some live for decades.
Erica Tazel says she still wants to marry Russell Andrews
Andrews said she first thought she had suffered a stroke during the COVID pandemic. He also associated this period with stress, lack of work and back-to-back strikes. “It was a stressful time. We didn’t work for about three years and then we had the strike back to back so there was a lot going on,” he said.He noticed the “turks” and thought that “the nerves in my neck were pinching”. Later, he said, “I wasn’t able to do the things I normally do.” He added: “I was dropping glasses and glasses at night. I could feel things going up and down my arm at different times and it was nerve-wracking.”Tazel also noticed small changes. “It took longer to clear the pool,” he said. “The way he was walking, there were subtle little things like that and I had questions. I was like, ‘There’s definitely something wrong.'”Andrews said he lost his insurance while he was out of work during the strike. Once he had coverage again, he saw a doctor. “After 15 minutes, first class care [physician] He said he would like to see a neurologist,” she said. “One thing led to another.”Tazel said he felt “normally calm” when doctors confirmed the diagnosis. “At least now we know what it is, and I still want to be your wife,” he told her. He said the trip taught him that “there are cases without conditions.”
More about Russell Andrews
Russell Andrews is an actor, director and producer. He is also a founding member of StageWalkers Productions, a stage company based in Los Angeles. Screen credits include ‘Insecure’, ‘Better Call Saul’, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘NCIS: New Orleans’, ‘Shameless’, ‘CSI: Miami’, ‘Boston Legal’, ‘The Bernie Mac Show’ and ‘Sports Night’.In film, Andrews has appeared in ‘Straight Outta Compton’, ‘The Punisher’, ‘The In-Laws’, ‘Runaway Island’, ‘Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland’, ‘Deadly Sibling Rivalry’ and ‘Peppermint’. His official bio states that he received 2016 Emmy recognition for his role in TV One’s “Runaway Island” and appeared in Season 2 of HBO’s “Insecure.” He also played Deputy Director Charles Gaines in ‘Insecure’.Disclaimer: The medical information and health-related details in this article come from public interviews and reputable health organizations such as the Mayo Clinic and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
