Tony Nominee Marin Mazzie Undergoes Treatment for Ovarian Cancer; Husband Jason Danieley Shares Their Journey

Three-time Tony nominee Marin Mazzie has been battling ovarian cancer. Her husband, fellow Broadway star Jason Danieley, revealed the news and shared their journey from her diagnosis through treatment in a blog entry titled "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!" on September 27.

Mazzie began to feel discomfort in her stomach in May, during rehearsals for the Encores! presentation of Zorba!, in which she played The Leader. After some tests, she received the upsetting news that the doctors had found a growth on both ovaries. The pain had been caused by ascites, a fluid produced by cancerous cells.

Still, Mazzie powered through rehearsals and performances, drawing inspiration from two of Danieley’s co-stars who took to the stage while undergoing cancer treatments: the late Kathleen Freeman during The Full Monty and Roger Rees during The Visit. Rees passed away on July 10; a memorial was held at the New Amsterdam Theater for him last week.

Mazzie has been receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering hospital in what Danieley describes as a “hell of a journey in three acts.” After undergoing 12 weeks of chemotherapy, she faced a complete hysterectomy and bowel resection, and despite a scare after a post-surgery infection, she was soon back to doing laps around the hospital floor, recalls Danieley.

The Tony nominee is currently going through another 12 weeks of chemotherapy, which the pair embraces with the term “healing therapy.” Her cancer is expected to be in remission following the treatment.

Mazzie last appeared on the Great White Way in Bullets Over Broadway; she has received Tony nominations for her performances in Kiss Me, Kate, Ragtime and Passion. Her additional credits include Next to Normal opposite her husband, Spamalot, Man of La Mancha and the off-Broadway revival of Carrie.

“I hope she can buoy someone up or give strength to a person who is just starting their journey with cancer,” writes Danieley, who is set to return to Broadway in Chicago next month. He assures his readers that there’s “no grass growing under her ass,” as she remains active during her treatment.

Broadway.com wishes Marin and Jason all the best as she continues on her path to a full and safe recovery.