Michael Gross on Beating Prostate Cancer - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-06-2013, 10:54 PM

MIPCOM: "Family Ties" Michael Gross on Beating Back Prostate Cancer
10/6/2013
by Etan Vlessing

After successfully battling prostate cancer, "Family Ties'" Michael Gross is ready to look back on 2012 as his annus horribilis.

"We're great," Gross told The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday while at MIPCOM to tub-thump for the Canadian dramedy "Call Me Fitz", which stars Jason Priestley.

A year ago, he was diagnosed with cancer, his wife had her own cancer scare and his daughter suffered through complications from surgery. As if that wasn't enough, Gross' father and his wife's mother passed away.

"People kept dying. Friends kept dying," he recalled.

But despite his cancer struggle, Gross never stopped battling, and working. Eight days after surgery to successfully remove his prostate cancer, the actor was on the set of Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike.

Gross was also due to fly to Canada in late 2012 to perform a five-episode arc on "Call Me Fitz", where he was to play an eco-industrialist looking to destroy the used-car industry as part of a Fitzpatrick family smackdown.

"I was in need of an adventure," he recalled telling Sheri Elwood, creator and showrunner of the Canadian series, who had written the part for Gross after seeing him perform a villainous, guest-starring role on "Parks and Recreation".

Elwood remembers turning to Gross, a veteran stage actor long before he lucked into the role of nice-guy Steven Keaton on "Family Ties", because she needed someone to stand out in a comedy about endless Fitz family dysfunction.

"It's a challenge creating interesting villains for a villainous family," she said.

But with Gross cleared to fly to Halifax to shoot the HBO Canada and DirecTV Audience Network dramedy, panic set in over his family's health.

Afraid to leave his wife's side, Gross overcame his worst fears to board the transcontinental flight to Atlantic Canada.

"Then I got up there and was welcomed like family," he recalled.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...l-gross-643967

Marvo301 · 10-06-2013, 11:48 PM

I'm glad he survived cancer and continues to work!

Family Ties Forever! · 10-07-2013, 01:49 AM

I didn't know he had cancer. It's great that he beat it.

glickmam · 10-07-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I didn't know he had cancer. It's great that he beat it.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

MacLeaper · 10-16-2013, 05:02 PM

Wow- didn't know this about Michael Gross, but I'm certainly glad to hear that his cancer has been eradicated. I trust and pray God will continue to bless him and his family, especially after all the struggles they've been through.

Dunkin Donuts · 10-27-2013, 10:39 AM

Great to hear he beat it.

10-06-2013, 10:54 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Michael Gross on Beating Prostate Cancer *MIPCOM: "Family Ties" Michael Gross on Beating Back Prostate Cancer* 10/6/2013 by Etan Vlessing After successfully battling prostate cancer, "Family Ties'" Michael Gross is ready to look back on 2012 as his annus horribilis. "We're great," Gross told The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday while at MIPCOM to tub-thump for the Canadian dramedy "Call Me Fitz", which stars Jason Priestley. A year ago, he was diagnosed with cancer, his wife had her own cancer scare and his daughter suffered through complications from surgery. As if that wasn't enough, Gross' father and his wife's mother passed away. "People kept dying. Friends kept dying," he recalled. But despite his cancer struggle, Gross never stopped battling, and working. Eight days after surgery to successfully remove his prostate cancer, the actor was on the set of Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike. Gross was also due to fly to Canada in late 2012 to perform a five-episode arc on "Call Me Fitz", where he was to play an eco-industrialist looking to destroy the used-car industry as part of a Fitzpatrick family smackdown. "I was in need of an adventure," he recalled telling Sheri Elwood, creator and showrunner of the Canadian series, who had written the part for Gross after seeing him perform a villainous, guest-starring role on "Parks and Recreation". Elwood remembers turning to Gross, a veteran stage actor long before he lucked into the role of nice-guy Steven Keaton on "Family Ties", because she needed someone to stand out in a comedy about endless Fitz family dysfunction. "It's a challenge creating interesting villains for a villainous family," she said. But with Gross cleared to fly to Halifax to shoot the HBO Canada and DirecTV Audience Network dramedy, panic set in over his family's health. Afraid to leave his wife's side, Gross overcame his worst fears to board the transcontinental flight to Atlantic Canada. "Then I got up there and was welcomed like family," he recalled. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...l-gross-643967 Attached Images

10-06-2013, 11:48 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I'm glad he survived cancer and continues to work!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-07-2013, 01:49 AM	#3
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I didn't know he had cancer. It's great that he beat it.
	__________________ Jenny

10-16-2013, 05:02 PM	#5
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Wow- didn't know this about Michael Gross, but I'm certainly glad to hear that his cancer has been eradicated. I trust and pray God will continue to bless him and his family, especially after all the struggles they've been through.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

10-27-2013, 10:39 AM	#6
Dunkin Donuts Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 02, 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 41	Great to hear he beat it.