Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens Jr., known to millions as Dr. Richard Webber, has revealed he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, an announcement that echoes a storyline currently unfolding on the long-running medical drama.
Pickens, 73, explained in a discussion with Black Health Matters that his diagnosis followed routine bloodwork earlier this year. Elevated PSA levels prompted additional testing, including an MRI that appeared suspicious. A subsequent biopsy confirmed a tumor, though doctors determined the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate.
He underwent a radical prostatectomy performed through robotic-assisted surgery. Pickens noted that he has a rare variant of the disease, prompting his medical team to proceed with heightened caution.
“We caught it really early,” he said. “I do have a rare variant that you don’t see very often… It was rare enough that they wanted to make sure they were crossing all the T’s and dotting all their I’s.”
Pickens said early detection played a crucial role in his prognosis, crediting a habit of consistent check-ups dating back to his early 40s. His decision to monitor PSA levels was influenced by a strong family history of prostate cancer, his father, several uncles, and a cousin had all battled the disease.
Beyond sharing his personal experience, the actor is leaning into advocacy. In partnership with Black Health Matters, he has been encouraging men, especially Black men and anyone with a family history of the illness to begin screening as early as age 40. Black men remain statistically more likely to develop prostate cancer and to be diagnosed at later stages.
“Where we are and how we view the medical community, especially as African American men… we know the history of that,” Pickens said. “Today, I am living proof that early detection works.”
His real-life diagnosis comes at an emotional moment for Grey’s Anatomy fans. In the season 22 midseason finale, Pickens’ character, Dr. Richard Webber, one of the show’s original and most iconic figures reveals that he too has cancer. The storyline has been widely interpreted as one of the series’ attempts to blend medical realism with deeply personal narrative arcs, especially as the show continues to address issues of preventive healthcare, health disparities, and aging among its longtime characters.
Pickens has portrayed Webber since the show’s premiere in 2005, making him one of the longest-running cast members in the series. His character’s journey, from Chief of Surgery to mentor, recovering alcoholic, and now a patient confronting his own mortality has become central to the emotional fabric of the show. Fans have already drawn parallels between his on-screen struggle and his real-life battle, with many expressing support and admiration on social media.
While Pickens has not detailed the next steps in his treatment or recovery, he emphasized gratitude for early detection and hopes his openness will encourage others to take their health seriously.
