Canadian-born actor and retired wrestler Tyler Mane, whose real name is Daryl Karolat, announced his “super rare” breast cancer diagnosis via social media on Monday. He uploaded a 36-second video of himself and said:
“I have some bad news. I start chemo today. One in 750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and I am one of them. Because it’s less talked about, it’s usually found in later stages and has worse outcomes. I want to change that. Follow, like, and share, and come along for my journey to kick this thing in the *ss.”
Tyler Mane, 59, urged his followers to ask ten people to follow him as “people need to hear this.” He ended his video whispering, “F**k cancer,” and showing his middle finger, as he was seen undergoing chemotherapy in a hospital room.
The X-Men star further wrote in the Facebook caption:
“Yep. I have breast cancer. And yep, it’s super rare. Only 1% of breast cancers are men. I’ll be honest, my first reaction was to keep it secret. I mean, it’s kind of embarrassing. But then I found out that men are more likely to be diagnosed in advanced stages BECAUSE it’s not talked about and not looked for. In fact, my doctors all dismissed it and it was only because my wife pushed me to get the lump removed that I got in early.”
Tyler Mane is married to actress, singer, writer, film producer, and comics editor Renae Geerlings, 51. He continued his caption:
“So, let’s start talking about it! 1 in 755 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and if caught early, it’s VERY treatable. Time to answer the Wake-Up Call! Like, Save, Share, Comment, let’s spread the word! #malebreastcancer #f**kcancer #rarebird.”
Tyler Mane: All about wife and children
Tyler Mane’s first wife was Jean Goertz. They were married from 1988 to 2003. The couple welcomed two children, daughter Shania in 1995, and son Lysander in 1997.
Shania Karolat is married to Kyle Fults (@bigbertsecurity on Instagram) and has two cats and a dog. It remains unclear what she does for a living. In June 2015, she shared a throwback picture with Tyler Mane from her childhood and wrote:
“Happy Father’s Day, and a rad throwback to when you still had your mane @maneentertain.”
Meanwhile, her brother Lysander Mane is an actor and bartender. His IG bio also states:
“CoD and OW time-waster. Son of a serial killer.”
In January 2022, Tyler Mane shared pictures with his only son on his 25th birthday. The caption read:
“Happy #michaelmyersmonday Birthday to my son Lysander. Mini Myers is all grown up and he IS a giant!”
Tyler Mane tied the knot with Renae Geerlings in September 2007. She hails from Zeeland, Michigan. Her parents are Jon Geerlings and Janet Van Haitsma. She attended Zeeland High School before graduating from Hope College in 1996.
During a July 2024 interview with Rogue Matter, Geerlings shared her background:
“I’m a Michigan-born theater major who, after relocating to L.A., became immersed in the world of comics, which led me to meet my husband, who brought me back full circle into the world of film.”
About what inspired her to pursue acting, Renae Geerlings said:
“I love storytelling. Growing up, film and TV became a way for me to share in experiences that I hadn’t had the opportunity to have yet. It made me feel hopeful, inspired, and like I was never alone. Now, these outlets have become a way for me to leave breadcrumbs for others. Whether you love a story or hate it, odds are that it affects you in some way and leaves you a little different than before you heard it.”
Geerlings famously shared the screen with her husband in the 2009 horror movie Halloween II. She is also known for starring in the supernatural thriller Compound Fracture, which she also co-wrote and co-produced. She also lent her voice to the 2014 adult animated action-adventure fantasy movie Heavenly Sword.
Over the years, she has also worked on documentaries, music videos, drone racing events, and short films. Tyler Mane’s wife was the host and lead producer for Mountain Dew’s Twitch channel and produced live events in collaboration with Buffalo Wild Wings.
Renae Geerlings also spent years with several comics studios like Marvel, DC, Image, TDW Publishing, Top Cow Productions, Darby Pop Publishing, and Radical Publishing as an editor. Some of her notable projects include Battle of the Planets, Tomb Raider, Witchblade and Fathom.
When comics like Wanted, The Darkness, Hercules, and Oblivion were adapted into feature films or video games, Tyler Mane’s wife also led from the front.
“Midnight Nation with J. Michael Straczynski was a particularly satisfying project to be a part of. Also, Fathom with Michael Turner. And, more recently, the Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises series with Bruce’s daughter, Shannon Lee, was published by Darby Pop,” Renae Geerlings revealed about her favorite comics projects.
In 2010, Renae and Tyler launched their own production company, Mane Entertainment, which produced Compound Fracture as its debut, followed by the 2020 horror-action film, Penance Lane.
Geerlings appear to be close to her stepchildren. Last September, she celebrated Shania’s birthday on Instagram with throwback pictures. The caption said:
“Happy big 3-0 Birthday to this kid!!! How time flies!!!”
During the Rogue Matter interview, Renae also shared her interest in creating podcasts, prose and audiobooks.
Geerlings has yet to address Tyler Mane’s breast cancer diagnosis. Four days ago, she and the Gunless star were at a basketball tournament followed by a comics convention.
Edited by Pallavi K