Erik Jensen Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer Following Brain Aneurysm

'The Walking Dead' star Erik Jensen has been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer, and is now fighting for his life.

Stage four means the disease is advanced and has spread to different body areas. The diagnosis comes after Erik survived a brain aneurysm in early 2022.

Erik was part of season five of 'The Walking Dead,' portraying Dr. Steven Edwards. Other credits include 'The Equalizer,' 'The Blacklist,' and 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'

The cancer has currently spread to his liver, with supporters remaining optimistic.

“Erik is young and strong (cutting a film during chemo, working full-time as a director and writer throughout) and his doctors think they have a shot at shrinking the tumors enough to do two very major surgeries and get them all out. He can make it through this. But Erik and his family are in for the fight of their lives, and they need your support.”

Erik has been married to his wife for 23 years, and has a daughter Sadie (13). 

The couple have worked together on multiple occasions. He directed the film 'Almost Home' with his wife, and in 2020, they cowrote two plays, both of which premiered at The Public Theatre in New York. 

A GoFundMe account has been set up and is hoping to raise $300,000 to “make it through the next year, pay for treatment to fight his cancer, keep their home, and maintain some sort of stability for Sadie.”

'The Walking Dead' cast and crew are giving full support to Erik.

Chief content officer, Scott Gimple said, "One of TWD’s own could use a little help. Erik Jensen, who played Dr. Steven Edwards in S5 was just diagnosed with cancer, and it’s a time of great uncertainty for him and his family. If you want to send something his way.”

Jeffrey Dean Morgan said, “Never had the chance to work with Erik… until now anyway. Only have heard many things about what a great guy he is. I do know he and his could use some help…. Of any and all kind."

The account concluded with “Erik has a beloved young family, and has so much more good work to do in the world. Jess is being a warrior–a full time caregiver, full time artist, a mom, and as you can imagine, ‘producing’ the hell out of his care team at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Erik can survive this– but they won’t be able to make it through without support. We are so grateful in advance for whatever you can give.”