Baskets star Louie Anderson hospitalized as he battles cancer

LOUIE Anderson has been hospitalized amid a battle with cancer.

The comedian seen on TV's Baskets was diagnosed with Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and he is "resting" in a Las Vegas hospital.

Louie - best known for his role as Mom Baskets on Zach Galifianakis' comedy series Baskets - was hospitalized as he is battling cancer.

He is being treated for Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

DLBCL is the most frequent kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the US and across the world, accounting for around 22% of newly diagnosed B-cell lymphoma cases in the US.

While Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is aggressive, it is also treatable especially when spotted early.

Louie's rep, Glenn Schwartz, told TMZ the comedian is "resting comfortably" in his hospital bed in Las Vegas.

It's unclear when the stand-up, 67, was diagnosed with cancer.

INTERMITTENT FASTING

Louie - who also starred in Coming To America as a fast food worker alongside Eddie Murphy - began intermittent fasting during the pandemic to lose wieght.

"I started the pandemic at about 370 or 380 pounds depending on what I was leaning on," Anderson told Conan O'Brien during a talk show appearance.  

"And now I'm 340. I'm trying to get 275 so I can get into some of my mom's actual clothes," he added, alluding to his female character on Baskets.

"Im on the intermittent fast - one minute I'm eating, the next minute I'm not."

He added more seriously: "No, it's a wonderful thing, the intermittent fasting," he said.

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating and is used to quickly shed weight.

Conan pressed the star on how rapid weight loss may affect his comedy brand, which relies greatly on weight jokes.

"You've spent a career telling really funny jokes about being heavy," Conan said.

"You're losing weight, you're going to get down to this goal weight of 275 — are you going to retire those jokes?"

Louie replied: "Yes, I'm going to retire my fat jokes," he said. "I think I'll always be funny."

LOUIE'S LIST OF ACCOLADES

As "Christine Baskets" or "Mom Baskets" - the comedian played the matriarch of the Baskets clan on the circus-themed absurdist show.

But the iconic comedian's resume spans three decades.

Born on March 24, 1953, he has toured the nation as a stand-up and was named by Comedy Central as "One of 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time." 

Louie won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and for his role as "Christine" in 2016 - Baskets ran for four seasons until 2019.

"I’m not as nice in the character as my mom was as a person. It really is an extension of my mom," Louie - who grew up in Minnesota - once said.

"It felt like it was divine intervention when I got the call to be on the show… that somehow my mom, from the great beyond, was finally getting herself into show business where she truly belonged in the first place."

Louie made his national television debut on The Tonight Show in 1984.

Appearances with Jay Leno, David Letterman and HBO specials soon followed.

He also took a turn hosting Family Feud for three years.

'A LIFELONG STRUGGLE'

Louie has been open about his recent weight loss.

"I got a trainer. I worked out. I swam. This has been a lifelong struggle for me: food addiction,” he told Daily Blast Live.

“I learned a lot and feel good. I’m no longer compulsively eating like I was and that was the big thing for me.”

Anderson also underwent two heart procedures in 2003 for an unspecified heart issue, per DESERET.

FAMILY FIRST

Louie grew up the youngest of 10 siblings in Minnesota and a late mother and father who clearly made an impression on him.

The star has published best-selling books including: Dear Dad: Letters From An Adult Child, which was a collection of touching yet absurd letters from Anderson to his late father.

Anderson has described his father as "abusive" and an alcoholic.

He also published Hey Mom, which explored the lessons he gained from his late and clearly beloved mother.

Louie has been vocal about his mother's inspiration on his comedy - and how she inspired his Baskets character.

"Happy Birthday Ora Zella Anderson who would of turned 104 years old Today, thanks Mom for all the love, care & kindness you gave all of us!!" Louie wrote on Instagram in 2016.

"Thank you for the inspiration to bring Christine Baskets to life!"