Christina Applegate Reflects on Late Boyfriend Lee Grivas’ Death and the Lingering Pain of Loss

Actress Christina Applegate is opening up about one of the most painful chapters of her life — the loss of her former boyfriend Lee Grivas, who died from a drug overdose in 2008.

In the latest episode of her MeSsy podcast, which she co-hosts with Sopranos alum Jamie-Lynn Sigler, the Dead to Me star spoke candidly about grief, addiction, and the emotional aftermath of losing someone she deeply loved. The conversation arose during a heartfelt discussion with their guest, actor Robert Iler, about his past struggles with addiction.

“I kind of don’t understand sometimes, like with Lee — which people know about. You could Google it, whatever,” Applegate said. “My boyfriend who passed away, it was like I tried everything, right? And he still wanted to escape.”

Her voice breaking slightly, the 53-year-old actress continued, “When he passed away, it was just like, ‘F---, man.’”

According to People, Applegate has rarely spoken publicly about Grivas’ death in the years since it happened. The actor and aspiring photographer, who was only 26 years old, was found dead of an overdose in his Hollywood apartment in July 2008.

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A Relationship Marked by Love and Struggle

Grivas and Applegate met in 2006, when she was starring in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity. At the time, Applegate was recently divorced from actor Johnathon Schaech, and the relationship with Grivas represented a new chapter — though it was not without challenges.

Following his death, Applegate released a moving statement to The Los Angeles Times, saying:

“I am profoundly saddened. Lee was an incredible human being who was an extremely important and beautiful part of my life. He is missed beyond words. He touched so many and I feel much sadness for his mother, brother, and all of his family and friends.”

As Variety reported at the time, friends close to the couple said Applegate had tried to support Grivas through his addiction but was ultimately powerless to change the outcome. Her comments on MeSsy this week marked one of the few times she has revisited the tragedy publicly.

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Applegate’s Journey Through Grief

Over the years, Applegate has faced a number of personal hardships. Earlier this year, she revealed on her podcast that her father, Robert Applegate, had passed away in April at the age of 82. Reflecting on that loss, she shared an emotional insight about how she experiences grief.

“I lost my dad, and someone asked me, ‘Which part of the stages of grief are you on?’” she recalled. “And I had to tell one of my dearest friends, like, ‘No, I don’t do stages of grief. There are no rules for how I grieve.’”

Applegate went on to say that she’s learned to release guilt over not grieving “the right way.”

“There are no set rules, and you have to forgive yourself for that,” she explained. “When she said that, I thought, ‘Oh f---, maybe I should be doing anger or denial until I get to acceptance.’ But that’s not how it works.”

Her openness about grief and healing has resonated with listeners, particularly because both she and Sigler have been public about their shared battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).

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Finding Strength Through Shared Vulnerability

Applegate and Sigler launched MeSsy in 2024 as a space to speak honestly about illness, mental health, and the complexities of everyday life. The Married… With Children alum was diagnosed with MS in 2021 and has since become an outspoken advocate for others living with chronic conditions.

“There are days where it feels unbearable,” she said during an earlier episode, “but being able to talk about it with someone who understands — like Jamie — has saved me.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the MeSsy podcast has been praised for its rare mix of humor, candor, and vulnerability — offering listeners a glimpse into how two women in Hollywood are coping with invisible struggles while trying to keep laughter alive.

Applegate is now married to Dutch musician Martyn LeNoble, whom she wed in 2013. The couple share a 14-year-old daughter, Sadie, whom Applegate has often described as her “reason for fighting” through MS and loss.

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A Continuing Conversation About Love, Loss, and Resilience

In recent years, Applegate has largely stepped back from acting due to her health, but her words continue to reach millions. From her emotional appearance at the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards to her podcast reflections on grief, she has shown an unwavering willingness to confront pain with honesty.

As she reflected on her past and her late boyfriend’s struggles, Applegate’s message was both raw and universal: love, no matter how deep, cannot always save someone — but it can teach empathy and strength.

“You can try everything,” she said softly, “and sometimes, it’s just not enough. But you keep loving them, and you keep going.”