Edward James Olmos Reveals Battle With Throat Cancer

Edward James Olmos is opening up about a recent health struggle, calling it “an experience that changed” him.

“This would be the first time publicly I’ll be coming out and saying it, but I had throat cancer,” Olmos, 76, said on the Mando & Friends podcast.

“I just finished getting through it. December 20 was my last radiation. The week before, I’d finished my chemo and [for] months and months I was on radiation and chemo as it attacked my throat.”

The “Selena” actor explained he had five doctors advising him ahead of his treatment who warned him, “There’s only one thing we have to tell you: We do not know what you’re gonna sound like” after they were done.

“I said, ‘What?!’” Olmos recalled.

He described the illness as “a very strong disease,” saying doctors had to “shoot” his vocal cords with radiation.

“We’re shooting your vocal cords, we’re shooting your throat; where you eat, where you swallow, where you talk, breathe, everything goes through here,” he said, later adding, “A lot of my friends have passed because of this.”

He said the experience “took a lot” out of him, and he lost 55 pounds and all of his muscle tone.

In reflecting on his ordeal, Olmos said on the podcast it “was an experience that changed me, the understanding of how wonderful this life is.”

“I’ve been through some experiences that have gotten me close to death, but that was close,” he added.

Olmos is an actor most known for his Oscar-nominated performance in 1988’s “Stand and Deliver,” which told the real-life story of high school teacher Jaime Escalante, who served as an inspiration to his disenfranchised students. More recently, he was a series regular on “Mayans M.C.” on FX.

2023 High Noon Concert Series

The 2023 High Noon Concert Series is generously presented by Lubbock County. The High Noon Concerts are an outdoor event that has performances by the best local talent around! We will also have various food trucks on site during the concerts.

Concerts are every Wednesday from June to August from 12 pm (noon) to 1 pm at the Lubbock County Courthouse Gazebo! This is a FREE concert for everyone.

Make sure to register for a chance to win a $50 cash prize

ADELANTE AWARDS GALA: Los Hermanos Familia proudly held their Adelante Award Gala on May 5, 2023 recognizing an outstanding group of recipients in various categories! The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Monsignor David Cruz who has been a trailblazer in the city of Lubbock's faith community. The Adelante Award also recognized individuals in various categories for their contribution in their field including: Arts & Culture – Calistro "Junior" Vasquez; Business - Steven Aguirre; Civic/Volunteer – Adam Hernandez; Church – Thomas Lara; Corporate Contributor ~ Pete Cantu; Education – Robert Nuñez; First Responder ~ Steven Diaz; Legal – Noe Valles; Military/ Veteran – Jose Salinas III; Medical – Michael Montañez; Professional – Roger Cardenas; Up-and-Comer – Richard Garcia; Silver Eagle Award – Epifanio Aguirre Sr.; Athletics - J.R. Castilleja (Posthumously) accepted by his wife Becky Castilleja; and Soaring Eagle Awards for 2023 - Velinda Betancur. Congratulations to all of these awesome recipients! To learn more about the Adelante Awards and the programs by Los Hermanos Familia please visit www.loshermanosfamilia.org

(Photo by Lillie Zapata Luna) drawings during each concert. (Only 1 ticket per person and you must be present to win).

For the most up to date requirements, please check our website at www.lubbockcounty.gov

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2023

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