"Will & Grace" star Shelley Morrison learned she may be facing her SIXTH bout with deadly cancer, The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively. And the news was so devastating it drove Morrison beyond the breaking point right before her apprehension for shoplifting a few days later.
That's what friends of Morrison told The ENQUIRER following the shocking April 23 arrest of the actress who plays Rosario on the hit NBC sitcom.
Morrison, 66, was taken into custody at the Robinsons-May department store in West Los Angeles, and charged with misdemeanor theft for allegedly stealing designer jewelry valued at $446.
The actress battled breast and lung cancer four times in the '90s and had one-third of her right lung removed. In May 2002, tumors were found on her ovaries and she had a hysterectomy. Then in April 2003, cancer may have struck again -- and doctors broke the news to her that she may have another malignancy, a source close to the star revealed.
"She was understandably devastated when she learned about her new health crisis," the source said. "She had an X-ray done on her right breast and a shadow on the X-ray indicated a new tumor."
Days after the shocking diagnosis, Morrison was allegedly caught taking designer jewelry from the department store where she had been a frequent customer.
The ailing actress was booked at the Van Nuys jail and held for over an hour until bail was posted. She initially faced a felony charge, but prosecutors reduced the charge to a misdemeanor, citing Morrison's lack of a prior record in their decision. Morrison's attorney Donald Etra said his client is innocent. She faces a maximum penalty of one year in county jail if convicted.
The arrest follows another celebrity shoplifting case involving actress Winona Ryder, who was convicted last year of swiping more than $5,500 in merchandise from a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills.
A spokesman for NBC said Morrison's legal troubles would have no effect on filming for "Will & Grace," which has already wrapped its fifth season production. A show insider said NBC brass and Morrison's colleagues had been shocked by news of the popular star's arrest.
"I have never met a kinder, nicer lady in show business, so I'm convinced there is more to the entire incident than we currently know," said the insider. "I don't think anyone should automatically jump to conclusions and compare her to Winona Ryder.
"Shelley's an earth mother to everyone on the 'Will & Grace' set. She listens to our problems and gives us advice. Now she needs love and kindness from her co-stars and co-workers -- and I hope they don't let her down."
The source close to Morrison said the star's life had been difficult even before doctors broke the bad news that she may have cancer again.
"A close family member is in very poor health and a close friend recently died," the source said. "So Shelley's life has been stressful lately.
"Shelley is hoping that this doesn't get blown out of proportion. There IS another side to the story. She'll explain everything when she has her day in court -- but not until then.
"Meanwhile, Shelley is a strong lady and I know she will come through this latest health problem the best she can. She's not afraid -- she's already been through it many times before."
