Veteran actor Edward James Olmos revealed he expected to die from throat cancer, speaking about the devastating disease, the harrowing treatment and how he has a new lease on life with a miraculous recovery, in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
Olmos, 77, said that in 2022 he wasn’t sure if he would wake up every morning feeling like his body was giving up after being devastated by cancer and harsh radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
“That entered my mind many, many times throughout the whole process, because you can’t swallow, you can’t talk, you can’t eat, you can’t drink, you can’t do anything,” he said.
The Blade Runner star, who appeared in TV hits such as Miami Vice, Battlestar Galactica and The Mayans MC, said he went through cancer treatment so severe it “usually kills you.”
Edward James Olmos revealed that his throat and lymph nodes were “burned” while undergoing harsh cancer treatments in 2022.
Olmos gave an exclusive interview to DailyMail.com at the 17th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic in Burbank, California
But the actor managed to move forward and now has a “new chance at life” and is “very grateful” to be able to enjoy his five-decade acting career again.
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner said his work in film and television is “the essence of life” for him now.
Olmos gave an exclusive interview to DailyMail.com at the 17th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic, a charity tournament in Burbank, California, in aid of children with kidney disease, held in April.
Olmos said the most difficult moment for him came at the end of his treatment.
“Basically 16 months ago, I had my last treatment on December 20, 2022, and the next two or three months were the hardest of the entire journey,” he said.
‘Once they stopped all the chemo, all the radiation and all the treatment, that’s when the body gave up… And that’s when it really became difficult.
‘But after that, within 90 days, a hundred days, I was in much better shape. And today I feel very strong and I do a lot of physical exercise.’
He said the medical treatments “burned” his throat and lymph nodes, and he had to be fed via an intravenous drip.
Pointing to his throat, the Angeleno added: ‘This area was completely annihilated.
‘I was told before starting the treatments that we have no idea what you are going to sound like.
The Battlestar Galactica actor revealed his diagnosis last year, months after his final treatment in December 2022. He is pictured attending the George Lopez golf event that year.
Olmos first spoke about his health battle on an episode of the Mando & Friends podcast in May 2023 in which he revealed that doctors told him they were unclear how the treatment would affect his ability to speak.
The actor told DailyMail.com that the near-death experience has changed his perspective on life.
“Usually it’s the treatment that kills you, because what ends up happening is it weakens your body because of the chemotherapy, it kills all your white blood cells.
‘And what ends up happening is that you don’t have an immune system. So if I had bad kidneys, bad heart, bad lungs, anything bad, I wouldn’t be here right now.
“Thank God my body was fine.”
Olmos, who achieved worldwide fame as Detective Gaff opposite Harrison Ford in the sci-fi classic Blade Runner, says the near-death experience has adjusted his perspective on life.
“It makes you think in every way,” he told DailyMail.com.
‘There is no other way. You definitely have a new lease on life, so you definitely reevaluate everything. So I’m very grateful.”
Olmos said his secret to staying healthy and recovering is to stay active.
“I’m close to 80, so I know I look good, but I’m old,” he said.
‘You are what you eat and you are what you do… So if you don’t do anything, you won’t be here for long.
‘But if you do things, keep your body moving and keep stretching, you keep doing things that most people give up.
Olmos has since made a miraculous recovery and was seen attending the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award tribute for Nicole Kidman on April 27.
Olmos, pictured left in the ’80s, rose to fame as Detective Gaff alongside Harrison Ford in the sci-fi classic Blade Runner and Admiral William Adama in Battlestar Galactica (right).
“The way you eat, the way you exercise, the way you sleep, are basic fundamentals,” he added. ‘You have to really understand them. That is the key to your life.
And at the center of his recovery is his commitment to work, he said.
‘That is the essence of life. What is your purpose? And I am very grateful to continue working and to be able to do films, television, plays and theatre,’ he stated.
Olmos was playing in the April 29 charity golf tournament run by his close friend, comedian George Lopez.
The tournament raises money for 200 children with kidney disease to attend a summer camp on kidney disease and transplants.
Lopez mocked his friend before teeing off in front of other stars including Cedric The Entertainer, DL Hughley, Smokey Robinson and Tim Allen.
‘He can tell me whatever he wants. He has done a lot for a lot of people. That’s why I’m here,’ Olmos said.
‘And I’ve been here for 17 years and I’ll continue to be here until the day I’m no longer here.’
Lopez has raised millions for charities for children, adults, and military families facing education and health challenges, as well as raising community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.
For more details visit GeorgeLopez.org Foundation.