Steve Bean and wife Caroline
News

Shameless actor Steve Bean dies after battle with rare nose cancer

The actor and comedian passed away on January 21

| Updated:

Comedian and actor Steve Bean Levy has died at the age of 58, after battling a very rare form of nose cancer.

The star of TV shows such as Ray Donovan and Shameless passed away on Monday 21 January, says Variety.

Steve and his son Jake (Credit: Facebook)

Read more: Heartbreaking question Barbara Windsor asked Jake Wood as she battles Alzheimer’s

Steve had kept his fans updated with his health, after being diagnosed with Sino-Nasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma – one of the rarest forms of cancer.

On his Facebook page, he shared numerous posts with his 1189 friends and shared photos of his face after the cancer caused him to lose his nose.

He also opened up about his treatment in an article for Mel Magazine entitled, My Year Without A Nose.

Steve made light of his diagnosis with his Facebook followers (Credit: Facebook)

Read more: Former EastEnders star back on TV after life-or-death battle

The actor, who always tried to make light of his diagnosis, explained how he began suffering with nosebleeds and congestion in 2016.

A biopsy revealed he was suffering with the rare and aggressive form of cancer which, according to his wife Caroline, “was already pushing his nose literally out of joint and he was starting to look like a boxer”.

In an attempt to save his life, the tumour was cut out, leaving Steve without a nose.

Cancer left Steve without a nose (Credit: Facebook)

The surgery was followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

However, tragically, after treatment failed to work, Steve was given no more than a year to live, as the tumour continued to spread across his face.

Concluding his 2018 article, Steve told readers: “If you’re keeping track at home, I’ve now lost my nose, my tear ducts, my upper palate and gums, all but four of my teeth, my appetite, my right cheekbone, much of my right jawbone, much of my right cheek, my eyebrows and moustache (chemo), the feeling in my upper lip (surgery), most of the motor control of the right side of my face (surgery) and some hearing in each ear (chemo). I also lost about 40 pounds, and worst of all, I lost my sense of humour.”

Tributes have flooded in for the actor, who also stared in Days Of Our Lives, Veronica Mars, Charmed and Married With Children.

One spoke for many when he wrote: “RIP Steve ‘Bean’ Levy. What a humourous but very moving piece of writing about his cancer battle.”

He is survived by his wife Caroline, son Jake and Andy the dog.


Helen Fear
TV Editor