In 2021, Christina Applegate announced that she was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. However, she expressed hope that she could return to the entertainment industry in some capacity in the future. In the first episode of her new podcast, she discussed her thoughts on eventually going back to the job she has loved since childhood. Her co-host, fellow actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has lived with MS for 22 years, encouraged Applegate to not completely close the door on acting opportunities, suggesting that she could play a character with MS in the future.
Applegate shared that she misses acting, as it has been a significant part of her life since she was a child. She talked about how the only thing she has known throughout her life was work, growing up on sets and loving the environment. While she has taken time to focus on herself and her health since stepping away from acting, she acknowledged that she knows she will eventually feel the urge to return to work. Sigler reminded her that many opportunities would likely be available to her when she decides to come back to acting.
The podcast, executive produced by Applegate, Sigler, and Allison Bresnick of Wishbone Production, explores health and other topics with guests, including friends of the hosts. Applegate was diagnosed with MS in 2021 and publicly shared her diagnosis in August of that year. She has discussed the symptoms that led to her diagnosis, such as tingling in her extremities, difficulty walking, and feeling unbalanced. Applegate believes that these symptoms began several years before she received her diagnosis.
Applegate has been candid about her struggles with MS, revealing that her symptoms are particularly severe in the mornings, causing pain, numbness, and balance issues. Despite the challenges she faces, she remains determined not to be defined by her illness and hopes for a future in which she can manage her symptoms effectively. Applegate has previously discussed the uncertainty surrounding her return to acting, contemplating how she can navigate the physical demands of the job while prioritizing her health and well-being.
In previous interviews, Applegate has expressed uncertainty about her future in acting, pondering how she can set boundaries and take care of herself on set. In June 2023, she mentioned that the most recent season of “Dead To Me” might have been her last acting job. While she may be unsure of what the future holds in terms of a return to acting, Applegate remains hopeful and open to the possibility of exploring roles that could align with her experiences with MS. Despite the challenges she faces, she continues to look towards the future with optimism and a desire to remain active in the entertainment industry in some capacity.
