Selma Blair, the stylish and gifted actress, has been experiencing a personal health struggle for several years now. Although she believed her leg pain was due to a pinched nerve, it was later discovered that her condition was more severe than expected. Despite experiencing a range of minor health issues, it wasn’t until 2018 that Blair was officially diagnosed. Continue to discover more about Blair’s journey up to this significant revelation, as well as a reflective glimpse into her professional career.
It Was More Than Just “a Pinched Nerve”
A lot of individuals with undisclosed medical conditions go through years experiencing symptoms before recognizing the cause of their problems. Selma Blair, for instance, had been sensing a pinched nerve of some kind in her body for a period of 15 years.
At last, Selma Blair visited a doctor with the intention of determining the cause of her discomfort. In 2018, she ultimately received confirmation of what had been causing her issues all along.
Selma Blair’s Early Years
Selma Blair has been present in the entertainment industry for quite a while, however, prior to her MS diagnosis and thriving profession, where did she originate? The youngest of four sisters, Selma Blair Beitner, was born in Michigan.
The artist grew up in a Jewish household and received her education from a Jewish day school. During her time in school, Blair developed a passion for acting and spent some time studying the craft in New York. She later completed her studies at the University of Michigan before returning to her hometown in New York.
Cut to Cruel Intentions
Selma Blair acted in multiple movies during the 1990s. Nevertheless, she was not ultimately cast for Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Dawson’s Creek, as those roles went to Sarah Michelle Geller and Katie Holmes respectively. Nonetheless, Selma Blair eventually achieved her breakthrough performance in the coming of age drama Cruel Intentions, which received positive reception from movie-goers and has since attained a cult classic status.
Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Geller have maintained a close friendship since working on the movie together. Geller has publicly talked about her support for Blair following Blair’s recent diagnosis.
Down to You
Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Geller received the Best Kiss award at the MTV Movie Awards in 2000 for their performance in Cruel Intentions. In that same year, Blair was part of the cast of Down to You, a romantic comedy which featured Freddie Prinze Jr., Julia Stiles and Ashton Kutcher. However, the movie did not perform well at the box office and had a low Rotten Tomatoes rating of only 3%.
Blair starred alongside Paul Giamatti and John Goodman in the comedy drama Storytelling, which was released a year after Down to You. While the movie received better reception than her previous project, Down to You, it still only earned an average rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reuniting With Reese Witherspoon
In 2001, Selma Blair acted alongside Reese Witherspoon once again after their collaboration on Cruel Intentions. The film they worked on together was a comedy called Legally Blonde. Blair played Vivian Kensington, a conceited law student and the current girlfriend of Witherspoon’s former high school sweetheart.
Amanda Brown’s personal experiences at law school inspired the successful movie, “Legally Blonde.” Film critic Roger Ebert praised the movie, stating that it was highly likable, and it remains a popular choice among audiences from the 2000s decade. Excitingly, a third installment of the series is currently being developed in 2021.
The Sweetest Thing
Following a few minor appearances, Selma Blair joined the cast of a successful romantic comedy, The Sweetest Thing, in which she starred with Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate. Although the film received mixed reviews, it is undoubtedly enjoyable and entertaining.
Selma Blair received a nomination for “Best Actress in a Comedy” at the Teen Choice Awards for her performance in the movie, but unfortunately, the movie was also included in the list of “Big Stars in Big Bombs” that year.
Becoming Liz Sherman
Selma Blair took on the role of a superhero in 2004 when she played Liz Sherman, a character with the ability to manipulate fire using her mind, in the movie Hellboy. This film was helmed by renowned Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, and also featured Ron Perlman in the lead role.
Hellboy performed admirably, and the originator of the comic book expressed immense satisfaction with the cinematic adaptations. The fantasy film holds an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Introducing Mrs. Zappa
Let’s not overlook the other parts of Selma Blair’s life, such as her romantic involvement. Back in 2004, the actress tied the knot with Ahmet Zappa who works as a writer and producer, and also happens to be the son of well-known musician Frank Zappa. They exchanged their wedding vows at the residence of actress Carrie Fisher located in Beverly Hills.
It is unfortunate that the couple’s marriage ended after just two years. In 2006, they made a public announcement about their separation. However, as per their spokesperson, despite the split, they still have deep affection for each other and intend to maintain a close friendship.
Selma the Stunt Woman
Converting! Wait…
Blair revisited her role as Hellboy in two animated sequels that were released straight to video, which were titled Hellboy: Sword of Storms and Hellboy: Blood and Iron, in the following years.
Returning to Hellboy
Following the sustained triumph of the Hellboy film series, a sequel in the form of a live-action movie premiered in 2008. In Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Selma Blair returned to play her character, with a more extensive plotline in comparison to the previous installment. Guillermo del Toro once again served as both the writer and director, and the sequel was met with enthusiastic reviews.
The ratings of the second Hellboy movie are actually higher than the first one, and as a result, several connected items were published. These include a comic book, a brief narrative, a book, and an art book, all of which were released simultaneously with the film.
Selma on the Small Screen
Apart from being a movie star, Selma Blair has also made appearances in different television programs. She played a major role in Xena: Warrior Princess in the year 2000 and appeared in the Christmas episode of Friends titled “The One with Christmas in Tulsa” in 2002. In 2008, Blair was selected to act in Kath & Kim alongside Molly Shannon (who is pictured).
In addition to performing in television shows, the celebrity has also served as a guest judge on Project Runway and provided the narration for the definitive edition audiobook of The Diary of a Young Girl.
Anger Management With Charlie Sheen
In 2012, Selma Blair got the top female role in Anger Management, alongside the controversial Charlie Sheen. Although the series had the highest-rated premiere in cable history, it received mixed reviews. In the show, Blair portrays Sheen’s love interest and therapist.
Nonetheless, Selma Blair expressed her displeasure with Sheen’s unprofessionalism, and as a result, Sheen terminated her employment. Sheen threatened to resign if his co-star Selma Blair was not replaced, and consequently, after the completion of 43 episodes, Selma Blair was dismissed.
Welcoming Arthur Saint Bleick
After Selma Blair’s separation from her initial spouse Ahmet Zappa, she commenced a romantic relationship with the fashion designer Jason Bleick, and after a year, they disclosed that they were going to have a baby. Following this announcement, Arthur Saint Bleick was born.
Blair and Bleick’s romantic relationship eventually failed, and they ended things officially in the year of 2012. Arthur’s birth was arduous for the actress, who disclosed how the process of inducing her labor was dreadful. However, in recent times, she often posts pictures of herself and her son on social media.
American Crime Story
The news of Ryan Murphy’s 2016 miniseries American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson brought great excitement among fans of pop culture. The selection of actors for the show, such as David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian and Cuba Gooding Jr. as the former professional athlete, was especially enjoyable.
Selma Blair portrayed the role of a manager and mother figure for famous personalities, including Kris Jenner, a friend of Nicole Brown. The show received immense acclaim and was honored with nine Emmy awards. Selma Blair and Kris Jenner graced many stunning photographs together.
Mothers and Daughters
Selma Blair not only achieved success on TV but also appeared in various films in 2016. In one such film, coming-of-age drama Ordinary World, she played the role of Billie Joe Armstrong’s diligent wife. However, the movie received a tepid response upon its release.
Blair’s subsequent venture was the independent movie Mothers and Daughters, which boasted a cast full of top-tier actors. Courteney Cox, Susan Sarandon, and Sharon Stone were the stars, but it did not achieve commercial success. It received a rather meager rating of 18% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Mom and Dad
Hey, it’s important to understand that not every movie can be a success both critically and commercially. Selma Blair deserves recognition for shining in many enjoyable projects. One of her endeavors was teaming up with the famously unconventional Nicolas Cage for the comedy horror flick, Mom and Dad, in 2017. The movie features the duo as a married couple who suddenly become hostile towards their children.
The movie ‘Mom and Dad’ was successful, and Selma Blair caught the attention of Nic Cage. He expressed his admiration for her, saying “I can’t stop watching her. It’s a fact.”
Ready for the Reboot
In our opinion, Selma Blair is not given enough credit as an actress, but we are glad to see that she is still getting good acting opportunities such as her recent appearance as a guest star in the 2018 revival of Heathers. The TV show was intended to be a series of connected stories but unfortunately, it was cancelled after only one season.
The TV series is a revival of the 1989 film with the same title and focuses on an exclusive group of high school students. Selma Blair had a role as Jade Duke in four episodes of the show.
Lost in Space
We admire Selma Blair for her versatile work in various genres on both television and in films. Specifically in 2018, she joined the cast of the sci-fi series “Lost in Space,” which is a modern take on the classic novel “The Swiss Family Robinson.” In the show, Selma Blair made a guest appearance as the wealthy younger sister of Parker Posey’s character.
We enjoy watching Selma Blair portray a snobbish, fashionably dressed, and heavily expressive character, and she fully embraces each role she takes on. The last season of Lost in Space will be released in 2021.
Starring in Another Life
It seems that Ms. Selma Blair has an inclination towards science fiction, as she not only acted in a sci-fi drama named Another Life in 2019 but also played the role of Harper Glass, an influencer attempting to expose the invasion of alien life on our planet. This series is currently available on Netflix and will have a second season airing in 2021.
On the other hand, the feedback for Another Life is not very good. The website Rotten Tomatoes has given it a low rating of 6%, describing the show as a mixture of sci-fi references.
After We Collided
Selma Blair made a recent appearance in the romantic drama sequel to 2019’s “After” called “After We Collided” in 2020. As expected, critics had negative reviews, but the fans highly enjoyed it leading to it becoming the top-grossing drama of 2020. Two more sequels are now in the works.
In this flick, Selma Blair plays Carol, the lead character’s mom. According to Rotten Tomatoes, critics only gave this movie 14%. However, it was also the most rented movie on Google Play and Apple TV. You decide!
“I Am Disabled”
In her heartfelt post, Selma Blair spoke about her diagnosis, and identified as disabled. She said, “I have #multiplesclerosis. I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix, I have a job.”
She continued, “I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. […] But we are doing it. And I laugh and I don’t know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best.””
Selma’s Support System
In her emotional Instagram post about her MS, Selma Blair thanked her costumer for Another Life, Allisa Swanson. The actress thanked Swanson for dressing her and buttoning her coats while she worked on the show.
In the heartfelt post, Selma Blair revealed that she saw a Doctor and was diagnosed with MS due to lesions on an MRI. Repeating what many disabled people have said before, she said, “I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously.”
Numbness at New York Fashion Week
While Selma Blair was experiencing symptoms of MS for years, there was one particular incident that drew her attention. In 2018 the actress walked in Christian Siriano’s fashion show during New York Fashion Week. However, when she stepped on the runway she couldn’t feel the ground or her leg.
Blair and Siriano are close friends, and have discussed creating an accessible fashion line for disabled people. Blair has commented that she would like to create chic and comfortable clothing.
Selma’s Symptoms of MS
Over the years, Selma Blair has had a range of symptoms, including falling, dropping things, a foggy memory and weakness on her left side. In general, MS patients can experience fatigue, numbness, tingling, and balance issues, as well as other symptoms.
MS is difficult to diagnose, especially because there isn’t one obvious symptom. The condition appears differently in people and can come on in episodes. These episodes can last from a few weeks to a few months, and can occur between once a year, and once a decade.
Brain Scans and Spinal Cords
Apparently, the most useful test for MS is an MRI scan to check for lesions on the spinal cord and brain. These lesions are signs of nerve damage and in some cases can heal, but in others will scar. As this damage builds up, symptoms can become more long-lasting and severe.
Interestingly, Selma Blair has undergone chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant for her MS, despite not having cancer. Blair explained that she felt out of options and started with a micro-dose of chemo that gave her immediate relief.
Makeup and Multiple Sclerosis
Selma Blair hasn’t let her MS prevent her from looking great. The actress has appeared with canes and her beloved Alinker standing bicycle, and spoke about her love for makeup – “Makeup is not trivial to me. If anything moves the needle for me in my life—even before my diagnosis or challenges—it is my gorgeous war paint.”
She continued, “I don’t mind if my muscles get caught at the intersection of a slow brain signal. I just want those words to come from lips covered in Chanel gloss.”
Introducing, Selma Blair
Thankfully, for those of us that are obsessed with the wonderful Selma Blair, there’s a whole documentary about her. That’s right, in 2021, Introducing, Selma Blair will take viewers through the actress’s life with multiple sclerosis. The movie is directed by Rachel Fleit and has already picked up a film festival award.
So far, the movie has rave reviews, with an impressive rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, Blair adapts to new ways of living.
Don’t Forget Selma’s Style!
Whilst we’ve been talking about Selma Blair’s diagnosis and career, we mustn’t forget her fashion credentials. Over the years, the star has radically changed her hair multiple times, and posed for high fashion houses. The actress is regularly seen at New York Fashion Week, and has been the face of Chanel, Miu Miu and GAP.
Not just a red carpet queen, Selma Blair is also a professional at street style cool. With her tailored layers and flat shoes, she always looks cool, comfy and on trend.
Making Canes Cool
Amazingly, Selma Blair’s MS diagnosis hasn’t stopped her having fun with fashion. The star made headlines with her first appearance after announcing her diagnosis at the Vanity Fair Oscars party. The actress wore a striking Ralph & Russo gown with a matching customized cane.
Speaking about her cane, she said, “It was a no-brainer, and there was no choice. I hadn’t been on a red carpet for so long, and now I was coming. I knew, since my diagnosis, people might be watching.”
Shining Light and Raising Awareness
Overall, Selma Blair’s journey with MS has helped lots of other people living with the condition. Undeniably, MS is a confusing disease, and one that can be difficult to understand. However, with a Hollywood star openly speaking about the condition, more and more people will learn about it.
Selma Blair supports numerous charities, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Plus, her public use of canes and mobility aids is great in terms of representing disabled people. We love you Selma!
Doris Day’s name precedes her, and her talent is known by those across the world. However, do these fans know just what this woman went through to become the ultimate starlet?
Not A Perfect Life
Known as a singing and dancing legend, there’s no doubt about the fact that Doris Day has lived a hugely impressive career. While it may seem as though she has been able to experience the high life of Hollywood, her life has actually been shrouded in drama, scandal, and rumor.
That’s Not My Age
Doris Day was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff to her mother and father, Alma Sophia and William Joseph Kappelhoff. Up until her 95th birthday, Doris was under the impression that she was born on April 3, 1924. She used this birth date to determine her age, and she added it up each year accordingly. However, it wasn’t until the Associated Press uncovered her birth certificate in 2017 that they realized this was not correct. She was actually born on April 3, 1922. She gained a whole two years!
Dreaming Of Dancing
From a young age, it was clear to see that Doris had talent. She was always moving around the house, and her rhythm was undeniable. As the years went by, her interest in dance seemed to grow exponentially. All she wanted to do was dance, and her parents could see that she was incredibly passionate about performing. They cultivated this talent and inspired her to pursue a career. However, this all changed in 1937 when one moment changed her life…
A Horrific Accident
In October 1937, Doris was traveling in a car when she was involved in an accident. While it was not a fatal collision, her right leg had been badly injured during the event. Although she was told that she would make a full recovery, she would never be able to dance on it the same way again. All hopes of being a professional dancer were quashed, but she had no idea that something much more exciting was on the horizon…
Surrounded By Singing
Sharing a house with her choirmaster and music teacher father meant that Doris spent her early life surrounding my music and singing. While she had never shown an interest in it herself, she enjoyed listening to her father play his own music and direct others. In her eyes, she had not inherited her father’s musical genes. However, as she recovered, she spent a lot of time listening to the radio and started singing along. Her family realized that they did have another songbird in their midst.
Strict Family Rules
As soon as Doris’ mother heard her daughter’s voice, she knew that Doris had to pursue it. Doris was sent to singing lessons, but what she didn’t realize was that this little trip away from her home wasn’t all about her musical talent. Her father was known for enforcing strict Catholic rules in their family home, but it seems as though he didn’t follow these rules himself. In fact, William Joseph Kappelhoff was notorious for breaking these rules…
Having An Affair
Behind the backs of everyone he knew and loved, William Joseph was allegedly having numerous affairs. He was engaging in illicit relationships with many other women, and this also included his wife’s best friend. However, Doris was not as clueless as her father thought. When she returned home from her singing lessons, the young girl would often hear her father and a woman who wasn’t her mother in the next room. Because of this, she would cry herself to sleep.
Kicking Him Out
Although she always loved dancing, Doris had always dreamt of being a housewife. In her eyes, her mom was one of the most wonderful people she had met – and she couldn’t wait for the day that she would get married and be like her. Yet, when William Joseph’s devious ways became common knowledge, Doris put this dream to bed. Her mother kicked her father out of the house, and Doris saw for herself what a doomed relationship was like.
Putting Time Into Singing
As she reeled from the breakdown of her parents’ marriage, Doris decided to put more time into her singing career. The more she sang, the more she fell in love with her talent, and she eventually decided to do something about it. During the late ‘30s, she auditioned alongside 200 singers to become part of Barney Rapp’s band. There was something about Doris that stood out more than most, and she was given the lucky prize of a place in the band.
Day After Day
However, there was something about Doris that didn’t sit well with Barney. He was intent on making his band a success, but he just didn’t think her name had star quality to it. So, he racked his brains to find an alternative name that she could adopt. Amazingly, the answer was right in front of him. During her audition, Doris had blown him away with a rendition of “Day After Day.” From that moment on, she became Doris Day.
Doris And Al
While performing with Barney Rapp’s band, Doris met Al Jorden. As a trombonist within the band, he immediately took a liking to the blonde beauty. Although Doris was not a fan of the “grumpy” musician to start with, she soon became intrigued. He would drive her to and from practice, and they eventually became a couple. They tied the knot in 1941, but it’s largely been alleged that Al was both emotionally and physically abusive during their two-year marriage.
Moving On
After working for Barney Rapp, Doris Day had built up a sufficient appetite for fame and fortune. She had fallen in love with life in the spotlight, and she wanted to continue her music career. Thankfully, she was given the chance to do so, and she was offered the chance to work with various other band leaders of the decade. During this time, she worked with the likes of Bob Crosby and Les Brown. This led to the legendary recording of “Sentimental Journey.”
An Impressive Career
Before too long, Doris Day had the confidence to leave the band world and go in search of a solo career. This risk paid off, as Doris soon became one of the most famous singers of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. In fact, over the course of a 20-year period, Doris recorded more than a whopping 650 songs. Her songs made their way across the globe, and they even earned her superstar status from those who were fighting the war in Korea.
A Smooth Transition
Like many other singers, Doris made her smooth transition into the world of Hollywood. She landed her first acting role in 1948 when she joined the cast of “Romance on the High Seas,” and she was a complete natural. Over the next few years, she worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Most notably, she worked alongside Rock Hudson, a member of the LGBT community and one of the first men to openly speak about HIV and AIDS. But it wouldn’t all be smooth sailing…
The Late ‘50s And ‘60s
By the time the late ‘50s and early ‘60s came around, Doris Day had become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. Everyone knew her name, everyone had heard her voice, and everyone had seen her on their screens. During this time, she became known for her role with famous romantic comedies. She worked on the likes of Pillow Talk, The Thrill of It All, Send Me No Flowers, and Move Over Darling. However, her success wasn’t to last.
A Changing Society
With her innocent face, her timeless beauty, and her sweet demeanor, Doris Day was perfect for the spirit of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Nevertheless, a changing society stunted her career during the late ‘60s. With an influx of baby boomers, people at home didn’t want to see prim and proper women on their screens any longer. They wanted to explore new themes of love and lust, and these were themes that Doris Day just wasn’t giving them…
Doris In Deb
Unfortunately, her clear schedule wasn’t the only thing bothering Doris Day during the late ‘60s. Over the course of her career, Doris has been married four times. In 1968, her third husband sadly passed away. While the event was a huge shock to the singer, this wasn’t the only shocking discovery. Her late husband, Martin Melcher, had teamed up with his business partner to spend a huge portion of her money behind her back, and this left her in a huge amount of debt.
The Doris Day Show
However, Martin’s lasting impact on the world didn’t end there. Unbeknownst to Doris herself, her late husband had also signed the singer and actress up to take part in a brand new television show. This would later become The Doris Day Show, and the starlet had no option but to honor this contract. She had not been asked if she wanted to take part in this show or various other television specials, but had no choice in the matter.
Hatred For Television
For Doris Day, this was the beginning of the end. She hated the television world, and she tried to avoid it. However, with a contract behind her, she had to put on a brave face for five seasons and give the fans what they wanted. While the show was hugely successful, people at home could sense that Doris wasn’t giving her all. The show came to an end as viewer numbers came crashing down, and Doris largely retired from acting after this.
Animal Welfare
Doris Day disappeared from our screens in the late 1970s, but this wasn’t the end of her career in the limelight. The singer and actress was determined to make a difference in the world, and so she set this plan into motion. As a youngster, she was walking her dog off the leash when it was run over in front of her. From that moment on, she vowed to help animals as much as she could – and this was the perfect opportunity.
Saving The Animals
With money and fame behind her, Doris had the platform to really take a stance on animal welfare. In 1978, she created her very own non-profit organization called the Doris Day Pet Foundation. This charity has since been renamed as the Doris Day Animal Foundation and continues to help animals across the world to this day. However, this wasn’t the end of her charity work. She has since founded even more organizations, and even lobbied for animal rights in Congress.
Always In Second Place
Thankfully, Doris did not have to do all of this alone. In 1976, Doris Day found love for the fourth time in the arms of Barry Comden. This man was not a Hollywood actor or celebrity, but rather a maître d’hôtel who seemed to love the actress for her personality and her charitable nature rather than her money. However, it seems as though Doris spent too much time thinking about the animals, as they later divorced because Doris allegedly spent more time with her “animal friends” than him.
A Horrible Hoax
In December 2018, the internet ran wild after the news of Doris Day’s passing. Fans were quick to mourn her, and they couldn’t believe that a legend had passed. But, the 96-year-old is still remembered as one of the most famous women in the business. Even if she has had a tough time of it.
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