Three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker announced today that she’s been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, drawing a wave of support on social media from the Broadway community.
The 58-year-old Luker, whose husband, actor Danny Burstein, currently stars in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, posted the news on Twitter today. “Hello friends,” she wrote. “I have some tough news. Late last year I was diagnosed with ALS. I have the best medical care in the world and the greatest support. My dear husband Danny has been an angel. I will get well. In the meantime, we fight and go forward. Keep us in your thoughts.”
See the tweets, and others, below.
Luker has been a strong and consistent presence on the Broadway musical stage since her 1988 debut in The Phantom of the Opera. In 1995 she was nominated for her first Tony Award for Show Boat, and was nominated again in 2000 for her starring in The Music Man.
Her third Tony nomination was in 2007 for Mary Poppins. In 2013 she appeared in an Off Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion. In addition to many stage credits, Luker has appeared on TV in Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and in the 2012 film Not Fade Away.
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ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, atrophy, and muscle spasms, leading to paralysis. There is no known cure. Earlier this month, before she revealed her diagnosis, Luker tweeted, “Hi friends. Please visit this website (www.prosetin2020.org) and donate what you can to a promising ALS drug called Prosetin. It’s sponsored by #projectALS and needs to get to as many ALS patients as possible. Please help.”
Today, numerous Broadway stars tweeted their love and support, includding Betty Buckley, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelly O’Hara, Patti Murin, LaChanze, Young Sheldon‘s Iain Armitage and Jason Danieley, the Pretty Woman star who lost his actress wife, Marin Mazzie, to ovarian cancer in 2018.
Here is Luker’s tweet, followed by a sampling of the response from Broadway.
Beloved beauty Rebecca—You are such a gift to and light in this World. I love you so much, and I’m so grateful for the inspiration of your voice and presence. I’m sending you all of my love and many prayers. XOXO
— Betty Buckley (@BettyBuckley) February 9, 2020
This organization is making a difference and this new drug is worth the energy and money needed to research it. #ProjectALS
Wishing Rebecca Luker all the best and thank you for sharing your situation, which helps so many. That is true bravery and strength. https://t.co/rtGwKatJo9
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/RuthieAnnMiles/status/1226572540815933442
All my best wishes to you.
— Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National Board Member (@albinokid) February 10, 2020
Dear Rebecca. I am so sorry to hear this news. I send you love and strength.
— Annette O'Toole (@creamofwool) February 10, 2020
Sending you so much love and lifting you and your family in my prayers.
— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) February 10, 2020
DONE! Love you.
— Max von Essen (@MaxizPad) February 10, 2020
Oh Becca. Sending you so much love. Am here for you always.
— Judy Kuhn (@JudyKuhn1) February 9, 2020
Love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Iain Armitage (@IainLoveTheatre) February 9, 2020
I am sending up a prayer for you lady. And sending you love, peace and comfort. 🙏🏾💕
— LaChanze (@laChanze) February 9, 2020
Thinking of you and Danny. Be strong! Sending you much love from @Jen__Cody and I. #fightALS
— Hunter Foster (@Hunter_Foster) February 9, 2020
Sending all my love to you and Danny.
— Liz Callaway (@LizGoesOn) February 9, 2020
Love you dearly Rebecca!!! ❤️
— Sierra Boggess (@sierraboggess) February 9, 2020
We love you and have your back in any way, shape and form you may need.
— Jason Danieley (@JasonDanieley) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/tkirdahy/status/1226591302428614657
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Michael Urie (@michaelurie) February 9, 2020
sending waves of love
— J. Smith-Cameron💙 (@j_smithcameron) February 9, 2020
We all love you Rebecca! Your fire and strength has always been SUCH an inspiration!
— Will Swenson (@thewillswenson) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/CaissieLevy/status/1226626452243783687
Colin and I are sending you and Danny all the positive energy and vibes and love we have. You’re a superhero.
— Patti Murin (@PattiMurin) February 9, 2020
Sending love to both of you.
— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheresaRebeck/status/1226575901007196162
We are all here for you dear Rebecca and Danny
— Julie Halston (@JulieHalston) February 9, 2020
Sending you love sister, always.🙏🏻💙
— Bebe Neuwirth (she/her) (@BebeNeuwirth) February 9, 2020
Strength, healing, light and love to you and your family as you tackle this.
— Jason SweetTooth (@jasonsweettooth) February 9, 2020
Thinking of you everyday, Becca. And loving you.
— Kelli O'Hara (@kelliohara) February 9, 2020
Thou art mighty.
Lotsa love.
⚡️♥️⚡️— Bill Heck (@BillHeckyes) February 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/JasonGraae/status/1226548155040223232