Busy Philipps has revealed she was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor and underwent two brain surgeries during what she called the “weirdest six months of [her] life.”
The “Dawson’s Creek” alum, 47, said in a cover story published Wednesday that she is “grateful to be alive.” Her grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare slow-growing tumor, was discovered during a Prenuvo full-body MRI scan on Feb. 12 — the day after her former co-star James Van Der Beek died of cancer.
Philipps had actually been talked out of getting the scan in 2025 by her primary care doctor. She scheduled it anyway after a conversation with her cousin-in-law, Dr. Justin Donlan, an internist who told her “knowledge is power,” which “really resonated with” her. Her January appointment was pushed to February, and she considered canceling before her ex-husband, Marc Silverstein, convinced her to keep it.
When the lesion was found on her brain, Philipps immediately texted Silverstein. She recalled the exchange to People: “The texts to my ex-husband are comical. While I was on the phone with Dr. Donlan, I texted Marc, ‘OMG I have a brain tumor.’ And he wrote back, ‘Busy, what? What are you saying? What are you talking about?’ I was like, ‘It looks fine. It’s probably benign. I don’t know.'”
A follow-up MRI brought more sobering news. A neurologist subsequently told her, “This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. And Busy, it’s got to come out.”
The confirmation left Philipps “hyperventilating and trying to breathe” — and feeling she had no choice but to tell her two children: Birdie, 18, and Cricket, 13. The actress has not publicly shared further details about the two surgeries she underwent, though the cover story marks her first extensive comments on the experience.
Philipps and Silverstein, a screenwriter and director, split in 2021 after nearly 15 years of marriage. The ex-couple has maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship, with Silverstein’s encouragement proving pivotal in her decision to keep the appointment that led to her diagnosis.
The timing of Philipps’ Feb. 12 scan carried extra emotional weight given Van Der Beek’s death the previous day. The “Dawson’s Creek” star, 47, had publicly shared his own colorectal cancer journey before his passing. Philipps and Van Der Beek had remained connected through their shared experience as young actors on the WB drama that launched both of their careers in the late 1990s.
Oligodendrogliomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that typically develop in the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes. Grade 2 classification indicates a relatively slow growth rate compared to higher-grade brain tumors, though they remain serious and typically require surgical intervention. The tumors are more common in adults between ages 35 and 44, according to medical literature.
Philipps has built a varied career since her breakout role as Kim Kelly on “Freaks and Geeks” in 1999, followed by her four-season run as Audrey Liddell on “Dawson’s Creek.” She has appeared in films including “White Chicks” and “He’s Just Not That Into You,” and hosted her own talk show, “Busy Tonight,” on E! In 2018-2019. She currently co-hosts the podcast “Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best” with Caissie St. Onge and Shantira Jackson.
In the viral moment that preceded her diagnosis, Philipps had been open about various health and personal matters throughout her career, including her daughter Birdie’s coming out as gay in 2021 and her own experiences with anxiety. Her decision to pursue the Prenuvo scan despite her doctor’s initial dismissal reflects a broader trend of patients advocating for their own preventive care, particularly as full-body MRI services have become increasingly marketed to consumers seeking early detection of potential health issues.
The actress said she is now focused on moving forward with her life and career while processing the gravity of her experience. Her revelation joins a growing number of celebrities who have spoken publicly about unexpected health diagnoses discovered through preventive screening.
Philipps is scheduled to continue her podcast and upcoming live shows, with her next live “Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best” event set for Los Angeles.