Can't smile without you
Barry Manilow Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
In a statement shared with fans, Manilow, 82, said the diagnosis followed a prolonged bout of bronchitis that led his doctor to order additional imaging as a precaution. An MRI revealed a cancerous spot on his left lung that now needs to be surgically removed.
Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow revealed on Monday that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer, saying the disease was detected early and is expected to be treated with surgery alone.
In a statement shared with fans, Manilow, 82, said the diagnosis followed a prolonged bout of bronchitis that led his doctor to order additional imaging as a precaution. An MRI revealed a cancerous spot on his left lung that now needs to be surgically removed.
“It’s pure luck and a great doctor that it was found so early,” Manilow said, adding that physicians do not believe the cancer has spread. He said further tests are underway to confirm the assessment, but that doctors do not expect chemotherapy or radiation to be necessary.
Manilow said he will undergo surgery and then take approximately a month to recover, forcing him to reschedule his January concert dates. Shows originally planned as part of his Christmas: A Gift of Love tour will now be moved to February, March, and April. He said he expects to return to the stage for Valentine’s Day weekend performances in Las Vegas and to continue performing throughout 2026.
“No chemo. No radiation,” Manilow said. “Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
Born Barry Alan Pincus to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, Manilow rose to fame in the 1970s and became one of the most successful pop artists of his generation. He is best known for hits such as Copacabana, Mandy, Can’t Smile Without You, and I Write the Songs. Over his career, he has sold more than 85 million records worldwide and earned multiple Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Awards.
In addition to his pop success, Manilow has written and produced music for film, television, and Broadway, including the musical Harmony, which opened in New York in 2023. He has also been a longtime presence in Las Vegas, where he maintains a residency at the Westgate.
Manilow apologized to fans for the inconvenience caused by the rescheduled shows and expressed optimism about returning to performing soon. “Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party,” he said.
He did not indicate that the diagnosis would lead to any long-term changes in his touring plans.