SEINFELD star Michael Richards has opened up about his battle with prostate cancer that nearly ended his life.
The actor shared his diagnosis in an interview with People, revealing it changed everything for him six years ago.
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“I thought, well, this is my time. I’m ready to go,” Michael, 74, told the outlet about receiving the news.
“But then my son came to mind just a few seconds later and I heard myself saying, ‘I’ve got a 9-year-old and I’d like to be around for him. Is there any way I can get a little more life going?’ the TV star confessed.
He also shared that he underwent surgery to remove his entire prostate after a concerning biopsy.
“It had to be contained quickly,” Michael explained. “I had to go for the full surgery. If I hadn’t, I probably would have been dead in about eight months.”
Michael further discusses the health scare in his new memoir, Entrances and Exits, dropping June 4.
“I had over 40 journals I’d kept over the years and wanted to do a full review of my life,” the TV personality said about his decision to write the book.
“I’m turning 75, so maybe wanting to do that is something that comes with being my age. I wanted to connect with feelings and memory. I’m surprised at how much I was able to remember,” he added.
Michael has primarily stayed out of the limelight for the last 17 years, though he was spotted in October seemingly in good spirits during a family outing.
The U.S. Sun exclusively obtained photos of the comedian out with his wife, Beth Skipp, and their son, Antonio, at a local park and grabbing food at In-N-Out burger.
It was a rare sighting of the Problem Child star, as he’s kept to himself following his widely-heard tirade during a stand-up performance at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, California.
Michael repeatedly said the n-word in front of the large crowd, which quickly spread throughout Hollywood.
The comic immediately apologized for his rant and hasn’t performed stand-up in 17 years.
Michael has expressed his regret numerous time since the incident.
One time was when his former co-star, Jerry Seinfeld, invited him on The David Letterman Show, where he apologized for his actions.
Another was during a 2012 appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
“I busted up after that event seven years ago,” the California native admitted. “It broke me down. It still kicks me around.”
Jerry offered encouraging words for his old friend, saying, “That’s up to you, to say, ‘I’ve been carrying this bag long enough. I’m going to put it down.'”
Last year, Seinfeld celebrated its 25-year anniversary of when the hit NBC show ended its nearly a decade-long run.
The main cast included Jerry, Michael, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Jason Alexander.
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