Kim Zimmer announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago during an appearance on a Facing cancer streaming event on Thursday.
The Guiding Light alum, 69, became emotional when she briefly spoke about the illness amid a discussion on the Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer – We All Have a Story segment.
On the CBS soap opera, her character Reva Shayne, which earned her four Daytime Emmy Awards, was also diagnosed with breast cancer during episodes that aired in 2006.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 6th,” Zimmer said, and her co-star Tina Sloan was also part of the chat, according to TMZ.
She then gave credit to the love and support she has received, expressing: ‘What if it weren’t for a wonderful circle of friends that I have, and not to mention my husband, AC Weary.’
Kim Zimmer, 69, announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago during an appearance on a Stand Up To Cancer streaming event on Thursday; seen in 2014 in New York
On the CBS soap opera, her character Reva Shayne, which earned her four Daytime Emmy Awards, was also diagnosed with breast cancer during episodes that aired in 2006; seen in 1986 in New York
“And my family… Rachel, Max and Jake, who call me every day, I would have broken down,” he continued, referring to his children.
He married AC in 1981 and the couple shares their three children. Jake has followed in his parents’ acting footsteps and has also starred in projects such as Animal Kingdom and It Chapter Two.
“But because of that circle that I have, great doctors, early detection… I had a mastectomy,” Kim revealed during the broadcast.
However, he gave a positive update and explained that he was going to receive his “last” chemotherapy infusion later this month, on Tuesday, May 21.
Zimmer also jokingly talked about reducing her breast size after surgery, saying, “Now I have really nice C’s instead of saggy D’s.”
Elsewhere in the broadcast, the star spoke more about the support of her family and close friends, according to People.
‘It is very important that you find a support system. Find someone you can talk to honestly and sincerely (who) will listen to you.’
“I’m a tough girl and I handled this the way anyone expected me to,” the Bleeding Love actress added.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 6th,” an emotional Zimmer declared, with his co-star Tina Sloan also in the chat, according to TMZ; seen in 2015 in Los Angeles
“And without mentioning my husband, AC Weary, and my family Rachel, Max and Jake, who call me every day, I would have collapsed,” she continued, also referring to her children; seen with tired above
He also encouraged screening, saying, “I’m here to say early detection, early detection, early detection, early detection.” Get your mammograms, get them soon.’
While Kim shared the news of her diagnosis, her character on Guiding Light kept the illness hidden.
‘I can’t imagine getting a diagnosis like that and not wanting the person you love most in the world to be by your side. The fans reacted to that too… It was a great drama.”
In early February of this year, both Zimmer and his son Jake sat down for a joint interview with People to talk about their latest project they co-starred in, titled Bleeding Love.
The film also starred Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara McGregor, and initially premiered in March 2023 at the SXSW Film Festival under the title You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder.
However, during their joint discussion a few months ago, Kim did not mention her breast cancer diagnosis at the time.
Instead, he gushed about working with his son, Jake, on the same project, although they didn’t share much screen time together. In one of her scenes, she could be seen in the background at a party while making balloons.
“I just remember watching him work with a group of little kids in the background of our shot, and he was very involved and very good with those kids and stayed in every shot.”
She added: “And I remember being very proud of the fact that he was in it and supported the background of that scene without asking questions.”
‘I can’t imagine getting a diagnosis like that and not wanting the person you love most in the world to be by your side. The fans reacted too… It was a great drama,” he said; seen in 1990 in New York
Earlier this year in February, both Zimmer and his son Jake sat down for a joint interview with People to talk about their latest project they co-starred in, titled Bleeding Love; son Jake seen above in 2019 in Beverly Hills
Kim took on the role of Reva Shayne on the soap opera series from 1983 to 1990. After a five-year hiatus, she notably returned in 1995 until the show’s end in 2009; seen in 1988 in the series
The premise of Bleeding Love is: ‘A father takes his estranged daughter on a road trip in an effort to get her out of trouble. Along the way they meet all kinds of strangers, as their tense relationship is tested,” according to IMDB.
Before appearing in bigger film projects, Jake made his acting debut starring in Guiding Light with his mother when he was just a teenager.
“It was the first time I was going to be in front of a camera, in front of the lights, and I’m going to be on my own mother’s show,” she recalled of the special moment.
Weary continued, ‘I remember walking on set and seeing my mom, and I felt so comfortable because she created this really comforting space for me. I’ll always remember that.’
Kim took on the role of Reva Shayne on the soap opera series from 1983 to 1990. After a five-year hiatus, she returned in 1995 until the show’s end in 2009.
