Busy Philipps reveals brain tumor diagnosis after two surgeries

Actress Busy Philipps has revealed she underwent two brain surgeries after a rare malignant tumor was discovered in her frontal lobe earlier this year. The 47-year-old star, known for roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Freaks and Geeks," shared her story in an interview with People magazine, describing the past six months as the "weirdest" of her life and expressing gratitude for being alive.

The diagnosis came after Philipps decided to undergo a Prenuvo full-body MRI scan on February 12, 2026, despite her primary care doctor telling her she was young and healthy and did not need one. She felt compelled to get the scan after learning about it on Instagram and discussing it with her cousin's husband, a doctor who encouraged her. The scan unexpectedly detected a lesion on her brain, leading to further testing. A subsequent MRI confirmed the presence of a tumor, which a doctor told her "is a real tumor, and it's inside your brain, and Busy, it's got to come out."

The timing was particularly poignant, as the scan occurred just one day after the death of her former "Dawson's Creek" costar and close friend, James Van Der Beek, who died of colorectal cancer at age 48. Philipps had nearly...