Christina Applegate Shares Family Death That Brought Her to ‘Tears’ Amid MS Battle

This version maintains the core elements (her disclosure, the emotional impact, and her health struggle) while streamlining phrasing for clarity and concision.

Christina Applegate Shares Emotional Tribute After Father’s Death Amid MS Battle
By Heidi Parker | Updated: April 29, 2025

Christina Applegate has revealed the heartbreaking news of her father, Robert “Bobby” Applegate’s, passing at age 82. The Married… with Children star, who has been battling multiple sclerosis (MS), shared her grief during an emotional episode of her podcast MeSsy with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Christina Applegate in Los Angeles, April 2023.

Applegate, 53, broke down while discussing her father’s death, explaining it was the first time she had allowed herself to cry since his passing. “We knew he was going to die. Is that an excuse for not feeling? You’ve said your goodbyes, but it still hits you,” she told guest JoAnna Garcia Swisher. The actress emphasized the complexity of grief, reflecting on how her father’s death brought a mix of sorrow and numbness.

MS Diagnosis and Career Challenges
Applegate’s health struggles have been a focal point in recent years. She was diagnosed with MS in 2021, though she now recalls early symptoms during the filming of her Netflix series Dead to Me (2019–2022). In a poignant moment on her podcast, she recalled a scene where her character ran across a field: “I remember falling that day. Hi, first sign of MS!”

Applegate with the cast of Married… with Children (1990).

Director Liz Feldman noted how Applegate’s balance issues during filming were initially puzzling. “We’d been shooting 14 hours… It seemed reasonable anyone would be exhausted,” Feldman said. Applegate later confirmed the falls were linked to her MS.

Finding Strength Through Art and Advocacy
Despite her diagnosis, Applegate continued working, using her craft to process her emotions. “Dead to Me let me fall apart in a scene. It was my soul crumbling in front of the world, but it was cathartic,” she told Kelly Clarkson in 2022.

She and Sigler launched MeSsy to create a space for raw conversations about living with chronic illness. “Sharing our despair takes away its power. We’re here to remind people they’re not alone,” Applegate said.

Applegate with Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).

A Tribute to Family and Resilience
Applegate’s tribute to her father underscores her resilience. While grieving, she continues to advocate for MS awareness, using her platform to connect with others facing similar battles. Her journey—from sitcom stardom to health advocacy—remains a testament to her strength.

As she navigates loss and illness, Applegate’s message is clear: “Never feel alone. There’s always an ear somewhere.”

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Images placed to highlight key moments in Applegate’s career and personal journey.