Sarah Paulson Supports BFF Amanda Peet After Cancer Diagnosis

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Sarah Paulson is sending love to pal Amanda Peet amid a difficult life chapter. 

Following her public announcement of a breast cancer diagnosis in an essay for The New Yorker, the actress known for American Horror Story expressed deep admiration for a close friend.

Sarah shared on Instagram on March 22nd that her best friend, Amanda Peet—whom she usually calls Bird, a nickname her parents gave her—recently wrote a beautiful and moving essay about losing her parents while also battling breast cancer. Sarah found it strange to say Amanda’s full name aloud, as she’s more accustomed to calling her Bird.

You know, even though the essay dealt with a tough topic, I immediately focused on how amazing it was that my friend wrote it! I was genuinely thrilled – I felt like I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! It was such a big accomplishment, and that’s what I wanted to celebrate.

She added, hoping everyone would read it. For those who are busy, she also made an audio recording so they could listen to her performance instead.

Sarah, who strongly emphasized her love for her friend, excitedly shared that her friend is an essayist for The New Yorker. She thought it was incredibly cool.

Amanda’s essay described the challenges she faced after being diagnosed with breast cancer, especially because her parents were also seriously ill and nearing the end of their lives.

Amanda, a mother of three – Frances (19), Molly (15), and Henry (11) – and wife of David Benioff, shared in an essay that she greatly respects people who can calmly face life’s big unknowns, especially when dealing with serious issues. She admits, however, that she personally struggles with this. She finds it difficult to practice mindfulness and often finds herself worrying and imagining different outcomes, even for things that don’t directly concern her and are hard to foresee.

After experiencing the loss of her father and facing the potential loss of her mother, the 54-year-old received a breast cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, tests showed it was hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-negative, which meant it was less aggressive than she had worried.

Losing both her parents was incredibly painful for Amanda, but the good news about her health offered some comfort.

Amanda said receiving the news felt incredible. ‘It was like I was on top of the world,’ she explained. ‘I was actually happier than I’d been before I was diagnosed with cancer, when life felt normal.’

For more stars who have opened up their cancer journeys, keep reading… 

The former All My Children actor revealed in January 2025 that he has prostate cancer, making this his third time battling the disease.

I was absolutely thrilled to hear that, after everything he’d been through, he announced in February 2025 – for the third time, thankfully – that his cancer was finally gone! The surgery and treatments had worked, and it was such a relief to everyone.

In a February 2025 Instagram post, he reminded his followers that difficulties don’t define who they are. He emphasized that everyone is capable of more than their struggles. He personally shared that while he experiences fear, anxiety, and carries past wounds, he accepts them all as a necessary part of growth and healing – believing that acknowledging these things is the key to overcoming them.

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Gerry told People magazine that there’s no cure for his condition, which has deeply affected every choice he makes. He described feeling completely overwhelmed when he first learned about it, like a huge weight had fallen on him, and admitted he initially struggled to accept the diagnosis.

The Vanderpump Rules star shared with fans at the end of 2018 that she had some cancer removed and underwent biopsies of her lymph nodes. She happily added that she was now cancer-free.

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The actor, famous for his work in The Boys and Supernatural, announced on February 3, 2023, that he had successfully fought prostate cancer and was now in remission.

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In April 2023, Hugh received two biopsies after discovering more basal cell carcinoma. He used the opportunity to remind everyone in the northern hemisphere that summer was approaching and to protect their skin by wearing sunscreen.

The former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills marked a year of being cancer-free in January. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2013 and had a hysterectomy as part of her treatment.

Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. 

The British celebrity chef revealed he had skin cancer treated with a procedure, sharing photos of stitches – a line running from below his ear to his jaw – which he later covered with a bandage.

Gordon shared on Instagram in August 2025 that he was thankful for the amazing team at The Skin Associates who quickly removed his Basal Cell Carcinoma. He also reminded everyone to wear sunscreen this weekend.

“I promise you it’s not a face lift,” he added. “I’d need a refund…”

The actress known for her role in Avengers: Age of Ultron fought ovarian cancer at 25 and later happily welcomed two children with her husband, Taran Killam.

A television personality shared that he had surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has been cancer-free ever since.

The cohost of Dancing with the Stars recently had successful surgery to treat thyroid cancer. The mother of four shared on Twitter, “Thank you for all the well wishes! I’m home, recovering and resting.”

The actress shared some incredible news on Twitter: her doctor called her on a Saturday morning to say she was cancer-free! She celebrated with a joyful post, exclaiming, ‘#wootothemotherfkinhoo!’

The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In October 2011, the Australian actress shared that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf. She explained that her husband had encouraged her to get the mark checked by a doctor because it looked suspicious.

A man from Scotland is doing well after doctors successfully removed a cancerous mole from under his right eye.

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

After having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008, the CNN journalist likely protects his skin with sunscreen when he’s outside.

The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

The actor from 7th Heaven received a Hodgkin’s disease diagnosis at just 28 years old. Now 50, he’s doing well!

The popular actress, known for her role on ER, stepped away from Parenthood in 2009 to battle breast cancer. Thankfully, her treatment worked, and she quickly returned to public events.

The America’s Got Talent judge received a colon cancer diagnosis in 2002 while filming The Osbournes. She bravely used this experience to highlight how important regular check-ups are, and fought the disease with chemotherapy. Thankfully, she was given a clean bill of health the next year.

The Academy Award-winning actor overcame prostate cancer in 2003 and has appeared in roughly 400 films since then.

In 2007, the Good Morning America cohost bravely showed off her shaved head while receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

After overcoming testicular cancer diagnosed in stage four, the cyclist went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France championships.

After successfully battling breast cancer with a lumpectomy and chemotherapy in 2005, the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist became a dedicated activist.

The comedian, known for her work on Saturday Night Live, bravely turned her experience with breast cancer into humor, which became the basis for her acclaimed one-woman show, God Said Ha!, that ultimately reached Broadway.

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2026-03-23 16:18