"The Walking Dead" actor diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Show creators rally support

An actor from the popular series "The Walking Dead" has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer, prompting his colleagues and the show's creators to call upon fans for support.

Scott M. Gimple, who served as the showrunner for seasons 4–8 and currently oversees the entirety of "The Walking Dead" universe, relayed the unsettling news to the series' fans. The affected actor is Erik Jensen who played the character of Dr. Steven Edwards in the show’s fifth season. Jensen is battling stage IV colon cancer and requires assistance.

Gimple shared the unfortunate situation of his co-star on his X service profile, including a link to a fundraiser where all proceeds will go towards Jensen's treatment.

The showrunner writes, "One of our cast members from 'The Walking Dead', Erik Jensen, who played Dr. Steven Edwards in the fifth season, has been diagnosed with cancer. This is a deeply uncertain time for him and his family. If you would like to lend a helping hand, here is the link to the fundraiser:

Support for Jensen is not confined to Gimple alone. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays the character Negan in "The Walking Dead", also expressed his support. Morgan commented on his profile, "Although I never had the chance to work with Erik, I always heard about what a great guy he is. I acknowledge that he is in need of help now... assistance of every kind", and subsequently shared Gimple's post.

The fundraiser's description on the GoFundMe page contains a heartfelt message from the actor's family. "A year and a half ago, our dear Erik Jensen overcame a brain aneurysm. Now, he has been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. The cancer has spread to his liver. However, Erik's youth, strength, and resilience (evidenced by his ongoing work in a film, his full-time job as a director and writer, and his undergoing chemotherapy) give his doctors hope that if they can sufficiently reduce the tumors, two serious surgeries to remove them might be possible. We need your support in this fight for Erik's life."

Entertainment Weekly states that due to the ongoing writers and actors strike in Hollywood, and considering Jensen's past health issues, his family – including his wife Jessica and 13-year-old daughter Sadie – aims to raise $300,000. This amount will cover medical treatments, help them sustain their home, and maintain a stable life, most especially for Sadie, during this tough time.

Jensen's diagnosis comes as the franchise prepares for its next spin-off, titled "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live", set to release early next year.