Christina Applegate’s Ex-Husband Praises Her for Being ‘the Toughest Human Being I’ve Ever Met’

Actor Johnathon Schaech, married to Applegate for four years, talks about her battle with MS.

Christina Applegate.Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Johnathon Schaech is more than a friendly ex.

On the heels of his former wife, Christina Applegate, opening Monday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards, he praised her bravery while battling multiple sclerosis (MS). Dressed in a deep red velvet suit by Christian Siriano and using a cane for mobility, Applegate was welcomed with a rousing standing ovation. Emotional, she still managed to crack a joke.

“Oh my God! You're totally shaming me [and my] disability by standing up," the comedic actress exclaimed. Applegate was also nominated for a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Dead to Me.

Two days later, Schaech showed unwavering support for her on X, writing: "she’s the toughest human being I’ve ever met! So proud of her! Go Christina!” 

Actor Anthony Anderson and US actress Christina Applegate speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Valerie Macon / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

VALERIE MACON/Getty Images

Applegate and Schaech were married from 2001-05. In what appeared to be an amicable split, they quietly divided their finances and property before finalizing their divorce in 2007.

Applegate announced her diagnosis in 2021 and has continued to share parts of her journey, including the symptoms that led up to it.

Since wrapping Dead to Me in 2022, Applegate has admitted the scheduling demands of an actor are probably too physically difficult at this point, but told the Los Angeles Times, she is interested in behind-the-scenes work like producing or voiceover roles.

All of Hollywood is undoubtedly behind her. “I love seeing her nominated,”James Marsden, one of Applegate’s Dead to Me co-stars, told ET on the red carpet. “She deserves everything. It just makes me so happy to see her here."