Chris died on June 2 while visiting her son's residence in Los Angeles, according to a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly. The document listed cardiopulmonary arrest as the immediate cause of death and pancreatic adenocarcinoma as another condition that contributed to her death.
Her family said one of her greatest wishes was to see her grandson graduate from high school. She attended the graduation on May 31, just two days before her death.
A Cancer Often Found Too Late
Chris' death has drawn renewed attention to pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to detect early.
The pancreas is located deep inside the abdomen, and tumors can grow for some time without causing obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, changes in stool and loss of appetite. These signs can also be caused by many other conditions, making early detection challenging.
By the time pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the disease has often already spread beyond the pancreas, limiting treatment options and contributing to its poor prognosis. The outlook varies considerably depending on the stage at diagnosis, whether the tumor can be surgically removed and how well the cancer responds to treatment.
Age is also a major risk factor. Other factors associated with pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, a family history of the disease and certain inherited genetic conditions. Chronic pancreatitis and diabetes may also be linked to an increased risk.
Diagnosis Came Months Before Her Death
According to her obituary, Chris received her pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December 2025. Despite the initial six-month prognosis, she lived long enough to attend her grandson's high school graduation with her family, two days before her death.
Her death certificate stated that no autopsy was performed. Her remains were reportedly being transported to Earth Funeral in Las Vegas when the document was filed.
Chris was more than the mother of two Hollywood actors. Born in New York in 1942, she graduated from Harvard University and spent more than three decades working as a public school teacher before retiring in 2008.
She later became involved in political and environmental activism, including volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign and working with organizations focused on water justice and sustainability.
Chris also played an important role in her sons' early careers. Ben previously credited his mother with helping him secure an opportunity that ultimately set him on the path to acting after she introduced him to a former college roommate who worked as a casting director.
The Oscar-winning actor also brought his mother as his guest to the 1998 Academy Awards, where he and Matt Damon won Best Original Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting."
Chris is survived by her sons, Ben and Casey, and five grandchildren.
