Felicity Blunt, the wife of Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, has opened up about her delight when her husband became an unexpected online sensation during his battle with cancer.
A Viral Sensation Amid Recovery
In a candid interview with Tatler magazine for its January issue, the 43-year-old literary agent discussed the now-famous lockdown cocktail videos that captivated the internet five years ago. The suave masterclasses, set to classical music and showcasing Tucci's biceps, turned the 65-year-old actor into a viral 'thirst meme'.
Felicity, who married Tucci in 2012, stated she had no issue with her husband becoming 'clickbait', provided she benefited from the results. 'As long as I’m on the receiving end of the actual cocktail, I've got no problem with my husband being clickbait on the internet. It was hilarious,' she told the publication.
A Triumph After a 'Horrific' Health Battle
The positive reaction to the videos held deeper meaning as Tucci was in recovery from a brutal cancer diagnosis. In 2017, doctors discovered a tumour at the base of his tongue, diagnosing him with oral cancer. The actor, now cancer-free, endured 35 days of treatment, including six rounds of chemotherapy.
He lost 35 pounds, was unable to eat, and relied on a feeding tube for six months. Felicity described this period as one where he felt 'less than himself', adding that the treatment was 'pretty horrific'.
She reflected on the stark contrast, saying: 'He would never have imagined being a thirst meme at that point, lying in a hospital bed, and suddenly, a couple of years later, the world is talking about his biceps. I was thrilled for him – honestly, it was owed.'
Transforming Life After Loss and Illness
The actor's diagnosis came years after the tragic death of his first wife, Kathryn, from breast cancer in 2009 at age 47. Tucci admitted that facing cancer after her loss was 'awful', but said the experience ultimately helped him transform his life.
He now takes his health extremely seriously, telling The Times: 'I really can't go more than 24 hours without [exercising], I'm in much better shape than I was before I got sick.' He added that he has a stronger sense of self and many goals he wants to achieve.
Felicity and Stanley, who were introduced by her actress sister Emily Blunt, have two children together: Matteo, born in 2015, and Emilia, born in 2018. Felicity is also stepmother to Tucci's three children from his first marriage.
The full interview is available in Tatler's January Issue, on digital download and newsstands from Thursday, December 4.
