When Michael C. Hall, star of the hit TV show “Dexter,” revealed he had lymphoma, a wave of empathy and validation washed over the lymphoma community. “Wow. Even him, too?”

When a celebrity opens up about a diagnosis and shares their chronic illness, three things happen for us:

• Destigmatizing the disease — The condition becomes more visible and relatable. Suddenly, we see our friends and family changing their attitudes toward our condition, and even toward us.
• Driving hope and inspiration — Knowing that a celebrity is facing the same day-to-day struggles we do, all while under the glare of stardom, we feel more endeared toward them. We especially feel a connection when they use their voice to raise awareness about lymphoma.
• Making us feel empowered — Celebrities step forward and take control of the narrative about their condition under intense media scrutiny. When they show the world what it means to live with lymphoma, they offer a roadmap and inspire confidence for how we might do the same.

Whether famous or not, the public acknowledgment of one’s disease is a brave act in the face of the stigma of chronic disease. As lymphoma awareness spreads, acceptance soon follows.

Who Is Michael C. Hall?

Actor Michael C. Hall is best known for his role as Dexter Morgan, the character the show is named after. “Dexter” was a serial killer drama that originally aired from 2006 to 2013. He has since starred in the show’s sequel series, “Dexter: New Blood,” and “Dexter: Original Sin.”

Hall is a graduate of the New York University (NYU) Master of Fine Arts program with a degree in acting. He’s originally from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Now 54 years old, Michael C. Hall also starred in the TV series “Six Feet Under.” He’s played supporting roles and voiced characters in other TV shows throughout his career, and also appeared in Broadway productions.

Hall has won 13 awards in his acting career and has been nominated for a total of 64, including several Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2010, he won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Drama.

Navigating a Lymphoma Diagnosis

Michael C. Hall was initially diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009 when he was just 38 years old. At the time, Hall was in the middle of shooting the fourth season of “Dexter.” He didn’t tell anyone about his Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at first, but began chemotherapy the day after he stopped filming.

What Type of Lymphoma Does Michael C. Hall Have?

Hodgkin lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkin disease, is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes play an important role in your immune system by helping fight diseases that can harm you, including infections and cancer.

Hodgkin lymphoma usually starts in lymph nodes, most often in your neck or chest. It can then spread to other lymph nodes and organs through your lymphatic system. Swollen lymph nodes are often the first sign people notice.

Hodgkin lymphoma is less common than non-Hodgkin lymphoma, affecting just 3 in 100,000 people each year. Comparatively, non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects about 18.7 per 100,000 people per year.

Hodgkin lymphoma is more common among younger people. You’re more likely to develop it between ages 20 and 39, as Michael C. Hall did.

What Is the Prognosis for Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer?

With advancements in lymphoma treatment, Hodgkin lymphoma is often curable with treatment, and many people go into remission. In fact, death rates from Hodgkin lymphoma have dropped faster than any other cancer type in the last five decades.

The five-year survival rate depends on the stage of cancer at your diagnosis. With an early-stage diagnosis, the Hodgkin lymphoma five-year survival rate can be as high as 92 percent to 95 percent.

Despite its high survival rates, Hodgkin lymphoma can recur (come back). Scientists continue to study new treatments for recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma, such as targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These are drugs that either attack cancer cells directly or help the immune system find and destroy them.

Thoughts on His Diagnosis

The lymphoma diagnosis shook Hall, as his own father had died of prostate cancer at 39. When Hall was diagnosed, he was nearly the same age his father had been — just one year younger.

Shortly after, Hall told the New York Times, “I think I’ve been preoccupied since I was 11, and my father died, with the idea of the age 39: ‘Would I live that long? What would that be like?’”

Hall continued, “To discover that I had Hodgkin’s was alarming, but at the same time, I felt kind of bemused, like: ‘Wow. Huh. How interesting.’”

Announcing the News

Michael C. Hall continued to keep his lymphoma diagnosis under wraps for some time, but decided to open up about his condition after attending the 2010 Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild award ceremonies while wearing a knit cap to hide his hair loss, a cancer treatment side effect. He originally planned on keeping the diagnosis hidden and wearing a wig if his hair fell out, but had second thoughts when he realized his missing eyebrows might raise suspicion.

Ultimately, Hall was glad he opened up about his lymphoma diagnosis. “I really underestimated how much that would be a source of inspiration or strength to other people. Just to see someone who you know and spend time watching, who goes through the treatment process successfully, is of value,” he shared in a 2014 interview with The Guardian.

Life During Lymphoma Treatment

Michael C. Hall’s lymphoma has been in remission since 2010 after receiving chemotherapy. He reported feeling extra energy after the effects of chemotherapy wore off, which he channeled into the filming of the fifth season of “Dexter.”

For Hall, lymphoma treatment didn’t change much about his lifestyle. While “Dexter” was on hiatus, Michael C. Hall shot a movie called “East Fifth Bliss.”

Typical treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation.

Activism After Recovery

Since his successful lymphoma treatment with chemotherapy, Hall has been a spokesman for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In 2013, he narrated an ad campaign for the organization with the theme, “Someday Is Today,” calling for people to join the organization in funding new research toward a lymphoma cure.

“This day has never been closer,” he said in the campaign, regarding hope for a future cure. “Today, thanks to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, hundreds of thousands with blood cancer are living a normal life.”

A Hopeful Future

Fifteen years after his diagnosis, Michael C. Hall is now a Hodgkin lymphoma cancer survivor and is thriving in his career. He now says his experience with lymphoma “enriched his sense of gratitude for life” and that being able to “play pretend for a living” is one of the keys to his sense of gratitude.

Hall recently reprised his role as Dexter in “Dexter: Resurrection,” which premiered in July 2025. He’s also an executive producer for the show.

The new series follows Dexter during his recovery after a near-death experience. Hall looks forward to expanding upon the character he has played for almost 20 years and allowing Dexter to navigate a second chance at life.

Join the Conversation

On MyLymphomaTeam, people share their experiences with lymphoma, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Has Michael C. Hall’s journey with Hodgkin lymphoma reminded you of your own experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.