#1
Posted: 4/9/07 at 2:25pm
ala Star Magazine, regarding her cancer battle, her new baby! (through surrogate mom) hairspray movie, and her new tv pilot.
http://www.starmagazine.com/marissa_jaret_winokur_cancer_/celebrity_news_gossip/entertainment/11721
How was the cancer detected?
Winokur: I was going in every year for my routine check-up and getting my pap smear. Then I got a call three days later because my doctor said she spotted some abnormal cells and wanted to do a colonoscopy. At that point the cancer had already spread further. I was terrified because I was living alone in Hollywood — my family was not there, I was by myself.
Is there a history of cervical cancer in your family?
Winokur: No.
What went through your mind when you heard your name and cancer used in the same sentence?
Winokur: When you hear cancer you go numb. I got proactive and said I have to get better.
How did you tell your parents you had cancer?
Winokur: I still think my dad doesn't believe that it happened. My mom flew right out to California, as did my brother and sister. I was so worried about them and knowing they have to live with their little girl is sick. I never had a poor me moment. I just knew I had to get better.
What type of treatments did you have to undergo?
Winokur: I had surgery to remove a tumor and then I had to undergo a radical hysterectomy but I still have my ovaries. I did not have to undergo chemo or radiation. By the time I opened in Hairspray it was 8-months past. I never talked about it because I didn't want people to pity me and say, 'Oh, there is the girl with cancer.' I wanted people to think I was [my character] Tracy Turnblad and enjoy the show. The show helped me get better.
Did the show have an impact your illness?
Winokur: Yes. I would sing the Hairspray songs on my way to the doctor's. Or if I had to get an MRI and you have to lie perfectly still, I would recite the show in my head and it would really help me get through each appointment. The show really made me determined to get healthy.
Why did you decide to share your story now?
Winokur: I feel it is important to tell people, so maybe I too can help someone.
You and your husband Judah Miller, a comedy writer for King Of The Hill, are getting ready to come parents. Congratulations!
Winokur: Yes, we meet our surrogate on April 13. I can't wait. I have always wanted to be a mom. I have always wanted to have a baby. I am so excited to be a mom. It is so important to me."
Hairspray is coming to the big screen. What do you think of John Travolta being cast as Edna?
Winokur: I can't wait. I want Hairspray live on forever. I love how the stage has come to the movies and I loved Dreamgirls so much. I have seen pictures of Travolta and I loved him in Grease. He is a musical theatre guy at heart. I am sure he will excel.
Tell us about the pilot you are working on with CBS.
Winokur: It is a new show by Greg Garcia who did My Name Is Earl. It is a great project. The working title is called "Fugly." It is a half-hour single camera comedy. There are three siblings, Michael Rappaport plays my brother and I play identical twins.
And how did you shed the pounds for your new physique?
Winokur: A healthy diet and exercise. I just changed my lifestyle. I have tried every diet and this time I just started to exercise and I eat right. I love to hike and be outdoors. Living in Los Angeles, I can hike anywhere.
http://www.starmagazine.com/marissa_jaret_winokur_cancer_/celebrity_news_gossip/entertainment/11721
How was the cancer detected?
Winokur: I was going in every year for my routine check-up and getting my pap smear. Then I got a call three days later because my doctor said she spotted some abnormal cells and wanted to do a colonoscopy. At that point the cancer had already spread further. I was terrified because I was living alone in Hollywood — my family was not there, I was by myself.
Is there a history of cervical cancer in your family?
Winokur: No.
What went through your mind when you heard your name and cancer used in the same sentence?
Winokur: When you hear cancer you go numb. I got proactive and said I have to get better.
How did you tell your parents you had cancer?
Winokur: I still think my dad doesn't believe that it happened. My mom flew right out to California, as did my brother and sister. I was so worried about them and knowing they have to live with their little girl is sick. I never had a poor me moment. I just knew I had to get better.
What type of treatments did you have to undergo?
Winokur: I had surgery to remove a tumor and then I had to undergo a radical hysterectomy but I still have my ovaries. I did not have to undergo chemo or radiation. By the time I opened in Hairspray it was 8-months past. I never talked about it because I didn't want people to pity me and say, 'Oh, there is the girl with cancer.' I wanted people to think I was [my character] Tracy Turnblad and enjoy the show. The show helped me get better.
Did the show have an impact your illness?
Winokur: Yes. I would sing the Hairspray songs on my way to the doctor's. Or if I had to get an MRI and you have to lie perfectly still, I would recite the show in my head and it would really help me get through each appointment. The show really made me determined to get healthy.
Why did you decide to share your story now?
Winokur: I feel it is important to tell people, so maybe I too can help someone.
You and your husband Judah Miller, a comedy writer for King Of The Hill, are getting ready to come parents. Congratulations!
Winokur: Yes, we meet our surrogate on April 13. I can't wait. I have always wanted to be a mom. I have always wanted to have a baby. I am so excited to be a mom. It is so important to me."
Hairspray is coming to the big screen. What do you think of John Travolta being cast as Edna?
Winokur: I can't wait. I want Hairspray live on forever. I love how the stage has come to the movies and I loved Dreamgirls so much. I have seen pictures of Travolta and I loved him in Grease. He is a musical theatre guy at heart. I am sure he will excel.
Tell us about the pilot you are working on with CBS.
Winokur: It is a new show by Greg Garcia who did My Name Is Earl. It is a great project. The working title is called "Fugly." It is a half-hour single camera comedy. There are three siblings, Michael Rappaport plays my brother and I play identical twins.
And how did you shed the pounds for your new physique?
Winokur: A healthy diet and exercise. I just changed my lifestyle. I have tried every diet and this time I just started to exercise and I eat right. I love to hike and be outdoors. Living in Los Angeles, I can hike anywhere.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
Updated On: 4/12/07 at 02:25 PM
