Actress Olivia Munn has never shied away from taking bold roles — but nothing prepared her for the role life cast her in: breast cancer survivor and now, advocate.

Honored with the Courage Award at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s “An Unforgettable Evening” gala, Munn opened up about her personal battle with bilateral breast cancer, a diagnosis she revealed publicly in March 2024 after undergoing four surgeries, including a double mastectomy.

With husband John Mulaney watching from the audience, Munn, 44, emotionally recounted the day she had to share the devastating news with him. “When the time came for me to say the words, ‘it was cancer,’ I couldn’t get them out,” she said, describing the moment with raw honesty. Mulaney’s quiet response? “Come home.”

Their emotional embrace upon reuniting is a moment Munn won’t forget. “I hugged my son so hard that he said, ‘Mama, too much,’” she told the audience at the Beverly Hilton event. “Then I turned to John, and right then we started planning my way out of this thing.”

From Diagnosis to Advocacy

Munn credits a free breast cancer risk assessment tool with catching her cancer early. Her public endorsement of the tool sparked a 4,000% spike in women using it, according to event chair Jamie Tisch.

“That increase happened just in the first week after Olivia shared her story,” Tisch noted. “She’s directly saving lives.”

Munn says the response from other women has created an unexpected but deeply meaningful connection. “Every time someone comes up to me, it’s a healing process for both of us. It’s a sisterhood,” she shared with Yahoo Entertainment.

Recognition for a Voice That Matters

This year, Time magazine named Olivia Munn one of its 2025 Women of the Year, citing her courage in using her platform to raise awareness. Known for roles in The Newsroom and The Daily Show, she’s now a leading voice in breast cancer awareness and prevention.

Though she is now cancer-free, Munn is undergoing endocrine (hormone) therapy to help ensure long-term health. She and Mulaney, who share two young children, continue to navigate this chapter of life together.

“When celebrities speak out about health, it matters,” Munn said. “And if my story helps even one person catch their cancer earlier — that’s more than enough.”