Actor David Ramsey recently opened up about a private battle with cancer earlier in his career.
During an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, the 54-year-old Arrow star revealed that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer years ago. Ramsey shared that he underwent surgery and chemotherapy, ultimately losing one of his testicles to the disease.
Explaining why he kept his diagnosis private for so long, Ramsey said it wasn’t in his nature to talk about it. “There’s a part of my personality that’s laid back… as it comes, it comes. I think that’s reflected in me not really sharing the story,” he explained.
However, with the rise in cancer cases in recent years, Ramsey now feels it’s important to speak out.
He recalled first noticing something was wrong when one of his testicles appeared significantly smaller than the other. After years of monitoring a condition called microlithiasis, things took a sudden turn when one testicle unexpectedly swelled up. Doctors advised him to have it removed, and he began chemotherapy soon after.
While chemotherapy was physically challenging, Ramsey said the emotional toll hit harder when he saw young children undergoing the same treatment. “You’re sitting there getting stuff pumped into you, and you look over and see a 12-year-old kid with no hair and his mum sitting next to him… and you’re like, ‘I’m alright,’” he recalled.
The experience profoundly changed his perspective on life and his career. Instead of stressing over roles or his status in Hollywood, Ramsey now approaches his work with gratitude. “This is f***ing awesome, bro. That’s always my perspective,” he said.
David Ramsey is best known for playing Spartan on Arrow and appearing in several other DC series.
