Guiding Light star Kim Zimmer, 69, reveals she was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago and underwent a mastectomy

Kim Zimmer announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago during an appearance for a Stand Up To Cancer streaming event on Thursday.

The Guiding Light alum, 69, became emotional as she briefly opened up about the disease amid a discussion on the Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer – We All Have a Story segment.

In the CBS soap opera, her character of Reva Shayne - which earned her four Daytime Emmy Awards - was also diagnosed with breast cancer during episodes that aired in 2006.

'I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 6,' Zimmer stated, with fellow co-star, Tina Sloan, also part of the chat, per TMZ. 

She then gave credit to the love and support she has received, expressing, 'And if it wasn't for a wonderful circle of friends that I have, and not to mention my husband, A.C. Weary.' 

Kim Zimmer, 69, announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago during an appearance for a Stand Up To Cancer streaming event on Thursday; seen in 2014 in NYC

In the CBS soap opera, her character of Reva Shayne - which earned her four Daytime Emmy Awards - was also diagnosed with breast cancer during episodes that aired in 2006; seen in 1986 in NYC 

'And my family...Rachel, Max and Jake who call me everyday, I would have fallen apart,' she continued, referencing to her children. 

She tied the knot with A.C. back in 1981 and the pair share their three children. Jake has followed in his parents' acting footsteps, and has also starred in projects such as Animal Kingdom and It Chapter Two.  

'But because of that circle that I have, fabulous doctors, early detection...I did have a mastectomy,' Kim then revealed during the stream. 

However, she gave a positive update and explained that she was set to have her 'last' chemotherapy infusion later this month on Tuesday, May 21. 

Zimmer also jokingly talked about dropping down a breast size following surgery and expressed, 'Now I have really nice C's instead of droopy D's.' 

Elsewhere during the stream, the star further talked about the support from her close family and friends, according to People.

'It's so important that you find a support system. Find someone that you can speak honestly and truthfully to [who] will listen to you.' 

'I'm a tough broad and I handled this the way anyone would expect me to,' the Bleeding Love actress added. 

'I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 6,' Zimmer emotionally stated, with fellow co-star, Tina Sloan, also in the chat, per TMZ; seen in 2015 in L.A. 

'And not to mention my husband, A.C. Weary, and my family Rachel, Max and Jake who call me everyday, I would have fallen apart,' she continued, also referencing to her children; seen with Weary above 

She also encouraged getting checks done by stating, 'I'm here to say early detection, early detection, early detection, early detection. Get your mammograms, get them soon.' 

While Kim has shared the news of her diagnosis, her character in Guiding Light notably kept the illness hidden. 

'I can't imagine getting a diagnosis like that and not wanting the person that you love most in the world to be there standing next to you. The fans reacted to that too…It made for great drama.' 

Earlier this year in February, both Zimmer and her son Jake sat down for a joint interview with People to discuss their latest project they co-starred in titled, Bleeding Love. 

The movie also cast Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara McGregor - and initially premiered in March 2023 at the SXSW Film Festival under the title of You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder. 

However, during the joint discussion a few months ago, Kim did not bring up her breast cancer diagnosis at the time.  

Instead, she gushed about working with her son, Jake, on the same project - although they didn't share a lot of screen time together. In one of her scenes, he could be seen in the background at a party while making balloons.

'I just remember watching him work with a bunch of these little kids in the background of our shot, and he was so involved and so good with those kids and stayed in it every take.' 

She added, 'And I just remember being so proud of the fact that he was in it and he was supporting the background of that scene and no questions asked.' 

'I can't imagine getting a diagnosis like that and not wanting the person that you love most in the world to be there standing next to you. The fans reacted to that too…It made for great drama,' she said; seen in 1990 in NYC 

Earlier this year in February, both Zimmer and her son Jake sat down for a joint interview with People to discuss their latest project they co-starred in titled, Bleeding Love; son Jake seen above in 2019 in Beverly Hills 

Kim took on the role of Reva Shayne in the soap opera series from 1983 through 1990. After a five-year hiatus, she notably returned in 1995 until the show's end in 2009; seen in 1988 on the series

The premise of Bleeding Love is: 'A father takes his estranged daughter on a road trip in an effort to get her out of trouble. Along the way they meet all types of strangers, as their strained relationship is put to the test,' per IMDB.   

Before appearing in bigger film projects, Jake made his debut into the acting world by starring in Guiding Light with his mother when he was just a teenager.

'It was the first time I was going to be in front of a camera, in front of the lights and I'll be at my own mother's show,' he recalled of the special moment. 

Weary continued, 'I remember getting on set and seeing my mom, and I felt so comfortable because she created this really comforting space for me. I'll always remember that.' 

Kim took on the role of Reva Shayne in the soap opera series from 1983 through 1990. After a five-year hiatus, she notably returned in 1995 until the show's end in 2009.