‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Shares Major Health Update Amid Cancer News
Key Points
- James Pickens Jr. announced he is now cancer-free after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
- He credited early testing: “We were able to catch it so early because you were being tested.”
- Pickens encourages regular health checks, noting prostate cancer’s prevalence in his family.
Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr. recently opened up about being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Now, the original ShondaLand actor revealed he’s cancer-free.

“Hi Friends, I’m blessed and grateful to be cancer-free,” the 71-year-old actor — who stars as Dr. Richard Webber in the long-running series — captioned a Friday, November 15, Instagram post. “Thanks so much for all the love and support! Get checked!”
Pickens opened up about his diagnosis in a recent interview with Black Health Matters, saying, “It’s not the kind of news anyone wants to hear, but to be honest, prostate cancer has run through my family.”
“My father had it. He had a lot of brothers; several of them had it. I would have been surprised if I hadn’t gotten it,” he added. “I’ve got a 90-year-old first cousin, who’s still alive, actually, [and] he had it. His son has it, a couple of his brothers had it. No one, as far as I know, has succumbed to it.”
The beloved actor’s diagnosis mirrors his character’s recent cancer diagnosis, which was revealed during the season 22 fall finale.
“I started getting my annual physical 34 years ago, and I started my PSA testing when I was 41. I’m 73 now,” Pickens told the outlet. “My urologist said, ‘Because you were so diligent in that piece of your health, it was to your advantage. We were able to catch it so early because you were being tested.’”
He went on to reveal that he underwent a prostatectomy following his January diagnosis, explaining, “We caught it really early, and so they thought that would be the best route to take.”