EVIL Dead actor Bruce Campbell has revealed he has cancer in an emotional Instagram statement.
The 67-year-old screen star told fans in the message “sorry if it’s a shock – it was to me too”.
Yet the Michigan-born horror actor was then quick to reassure them “fear not, I am a tough old son of a b***h”.
Bruce has revealed he has a “treatable but not curable” form of the disease and will need to take time away from work to recover.
The Hysteria! star wrote in a text post uploaded to his Instagram grid: “Hi folks these days when someone is having a health issue its referred to as an ‘opportunity’ so let’s go with that – I’m having one of those.
“It’s also called a type of cancer that’s ‘treatable not curable’.
“I apologize if that’s a shock, it was to me too.”
Bruce who was in cult flicks Crimewave and Maniac Cop added: “The good news is, I’m not going to go into any more detail.
“I’m posting this, because professionally, a few things will have to change – appearances and cons and work in general need to take [a] back seat to treatment.
“There are several cons this year summer [sic] that I have to cancel. Big regrets on my part.
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“Treatment needs and professional obligations don’t always go hand-in-hand.
“That’s about it. I’m not trying to enlist sympathy – or advice – I just want to get ahead of this information in case false information gets out (which it will).
“Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-b***h and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while.
“As always, you’re the greatest fans in the world and I hope to see you soon!”
Fans were also quick to offer words of support for the science fiction TV star.
One insisted: “Cancer doesn’t stand a chance. Hail to the king, baby. We love you Bruce.”
A second put: “Sending you all the best, Bruce!”
A third posted: “You are loved and must feel the terrific support flooding your direction! You definitely have this!”
One then added: “Hail to the King, baby.”
Bruce is best-known for his role in the Evil Dead franchise, playing Ash Williams.
He is the only character to appear in each instalment of the series and battles a series of possessed creatures called Deadites, who have been taken over by the Kandarian Demon.
His stints in the Evil Dead movies saw him voted as the greatest horror movie character ever back in 2013.
His personal profile has rocketed thanks to his movie status, with many hailing Bruce a cultural icon.
In 2007, he featured in a parody of his movie career in My Name Is Bruce.
He previously told dvdtalk.com of filming the gory Evil Dead instalment and said: “In retrospect, it’s funny as hell.
“The last three days of shooting Evil Dead we never fell asleep. At the time we were just zombies.
“Various people would fall asleep in the middle of the woods and we’d find each other randomly.”
He added: “We didn’t even think we’d finish the movie, so there was none of this, ‘Wow, I hope we make a hit!’
“We were just hoping we’d get the hell out of Tennessee in one piece. We were wrecking rental cars, rental trucks, cameras, wrecking actresses and ourselves. Everything.
“We were getting poked, bitten, scrapped, and my brother fell off a cliff.
“It was a comedy of terror. That was the most terrifying part: making the movie.”