Kate Beckinsale is quietly caring for her beloved mother and stepfather as they battle a host of serious health problems, DailyMail.com can reveal. Insiders claim those close to her have expressed concern for her own well-being amid the 'relentless tension'.
In exclusive new images, the British actress, 50, is seen comforting her stepfather Roy Battersby – who, it can be revealed, was diagnosed with two types of cancer this summer – as the 87-year-old was taken out on a stretcher transported to a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday.
An insider revealed that he had been hospitalized in recent weeks due to a 'major stroke'.
The latest health scare comes amid her mother Judy Loe's private battle. The 76-year-old was diagnosed with a long-term illness six years ago – something Kate has alluded to in several emotional Instagram posts over the past year.
Kate Beckinsale is quietly caring for her beloved stepfather, Roy Battersby, and her mother Judy Loe, amid the couple's ongoing health issues
An insider revealed to DailyMail.com that the actress – whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 – has felt the toll in recent weeks. In the photo in 2021
The Underworld actress flew her parents to the US from their home in Britain so she could care for them full-time at her Los Angeles home.
“Kate spends most of the year caring for her parents, who are both battling serious illnesses,” a source exclusively told DailyMail.com. “She brought them to her home in LA and made caring for them her first priority.”
The insider revealed that the Snow Angels star – whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died of a heart attack in his sleep in 1979 at the age of 31 – has felt the emotional toll in recent weeks.
“She was seen crying in the hallways of UCLA hospital several times this week,” the source added. 'Her friends are very concerned that she has been under constant pressure for months and barely sleeps or eats.
'Kate seems very strong but this has been incredibly difficult and, considering she lost her father so young, it affects her very deeply. Her friends are concerned about her own health.”
A second source explained that her mother Judy has chosen to keep her health struggles private, saying: “She is extraordinary, you wouldn't even know it by looking at her. She has kept a very positive attitude through it all.”
Kate's biological father was the late British actor Richard Beckinsale, best known for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge, and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp.
He also had daughter Samantha, 55 – his only child from his marriage to Margaret Bradley.
Kate, who debuted her new blonde hair on Wednesday night during dinner with Roger Vivier, has hinted at her parents' poor health online in recent months, sharing images of her mother being treated in hospital.
Roy, 87, was hospitalized in recent weeks after suffering a “major stroke,” a source confirmed
The insider revealed Roy was diagnosed with two types of cancer over the summer – pictured in November 2023
Kate has hinted at recent issues in emotional Instagram posts about her parents over the past year – pictured in November 2023
The actress is reportedly determined to put on a brave face and do everything she can to continue supporting her loved ones during this difficult time – pictured in November 2023
In August, she encouraged fans to do what makes them happy with the Instagram caption: “Embrace joy. Accept sadness. Wear feathers. To sing. Do what makes you feel equally happy. Combine sadness, illness and fear with as much life, laughter and celebration as you can.
“It doesn't mean you have some kind of crisis. It means that you fiercely choose life. Be brave, and if you don't feel brave, listen. Laugh hard, dance hard, cry hard, love hard with those you trust.”
She continued, “Spread love when you can. Read. Stay in bed and cry as it comes from all sides and feels like an avalanche. Don't try to be mean or copy the meanness of others. People can break.
'Be nice. Fight with everything you have for your loved ones, and for your own spirit x.”
A source said: 'Kate has tried to maintain a positive public and professional presence and remain optimistic for her family'
Meanwhile, her 76-year-old mother has been privately battling her own illness for six years
Kate shared updates about her mother's treatments with fans on Instagram
In one caption, she wrote, “Do whatever makes you happy. Combine sadness, illness and fear with as much life, laughter and celebration as possible.'
However, the Much Ado About Nothing actress is determined to put on a brave face and do everything she can to continue supporting her loved ones during this difficult time.
“Kate has tried to maintain a positive public and professional presence and remain optimistic for her family,” the source added.
Kate's mother, who is also an actress, married Roy in 1997, 18 years after Kate's father died.
Over the years, Kate's close bond with her stepfather has been a source of joy for social media fans, who often share glowing posts about the family's visible love for each other.
Kate has also been dealing with the grief of her beloved cat Clive, who died in June aged 19.
Kate's close bond with her parents is a source of joy for social media fans, who often share glowing posts about the family's visible love for each other
Meanwhile, Kate has spoken of being 'absolutely heartbroken' when her beloved cat Clive died in June aged 19
She recently admitted that she misses her late cat Clive so much that she sleeps with his ashes every night
Earlier this month, the actress revealed that she misses her cat so much that she sleeps with his ashes every night.
After a fan asked on Instagram if Clive had been cremated or buried, Kate replied: “Cremated and call me weird but I sleep with his coffin in my bed every night.”
She also posted a montage of photos of 'Things and people that have given me comfort or uplifted me', including a portrait of Clive surrounded by candles.
When he died she wrote: 'My heart is absolutely and completely broken. Every part of my house feels like it belongs.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Kate's representatives for comment.