Famous People with disabilities

Wow--it'll take me awhile to go through all the listings...I was surprised to find out how many people suffered from depression, ones I would never imagine would have like Richard Dryfuss, Jim Carrey or Billy Joel...I mean they always seem so..uh, "perky"..LOL I was surprised that site didn't list those celebrities who have had panic disorder problems..so went to this site...I've listed a few people here not all The reason I was interested in finding about famous folk with anxiety disorder problems since that's what I've been dealing with all these years. I was surprised to find some people on this list, like Johnny Depp as he always comes across rather laid back....LOL. And Oprah Winfrey??? Wow..would never have guessed it Carly Simon (singer) Aretha Franklin (singer) Sir Laurence Olivier (actor) Emily Dickinson (poet) Nicholas Cage (actor) Roseanne Barr (comedian) Michael Jackson (singer) Naomi Judd (singer) Sissy Spacek (actress) Johnny Depp (actor) Sally Field (actress) Alanis Morisette (singer) Burt Reynolds (actor) Kim Basinger (actress) Olivia Hussey (actress) Oprah Winfrey (host) Isaac Asimov (author) Charles Schultz (cartoonist) Barbra Streisand (singer) Naomi Campbell (model) David Bowie (singer) Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist) Here's the source of the article and gives a lot more who had anxiety problems http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/panic_disorder/15728 {NOT A Referral link but an article listing celebrity with anxiety disorder)

Yes TL I agree that these are the greatest lots but handicapped by something or the other. What after all can we do but to wonder how they are fighting out and trying to see life from the close range. And never to express our sympathy or sympathize with them that they are so and so, Its really a nice link. Thank you very much

That's a very interesting site. It should give other people inspiration that all these people were successful despite their disabilities. We have a really lovely, inspiring children's tv presenter her called Cerri Burnell. There has been a bit of (ridiculous) controversy ever since she started on the UK kids channel CBeebies. There were 9 complaints from the public that she would 'scare' the children as she was born with just one hand. But luckily she has had a lot more support than complaints. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK61ssge600

Hi TLChimes, It is amazing how many famous people have disablities and still carry on with their work and many people don't they have it untill it is reveal, I admire them pass or present. Tamara

Hi TL... This is a wonderful site because it lets people know that just because these people are celebrities they are real! They have problems; they have had problems; they are not perfect like they play on tv or in the movies. Thank you for sharing.

I read once that Van Gogh suffered from Bipolar (guess they didn't call it that back then). He supposedly did his greatest work while manic and that seems to be norm with creative people and Bipolar. I have had it for years but unfortunately I have not one creative bone in my body so I don't get the benefit of doing something beautiful with it.

You love Bruce Willis too? There's a surprise! I got thoroughly immersed in that site and found it very interesting indeed. I have to say that no particular person on those lists surprised me but what did surprise me is that so many people who played a huge role in history had so many health problems! xxx

Thanks for sharing this information and website with us on wonderful My Lot. I very much enjoyed reading the list of and description of the people that have or had spina bifida. My toddler son has spina bifida so it was inspirational to me. Disabled people can make up for a loss in one area with being talented in another way. Things looked bleak at 36 weeks pregnancy with my son but now he is making so much progress. He can use his hands and he is great with musical instruments.

awesome site! i was happy (although it feels wrong to say happy considering) to see the list of famous people with the mental problems.. so many illnesses have stigmas and i just wish some of these famous people with those and other illnesses would be more public so that it would get recognition and understanding

I've used this site with my students and they LOVE it. It really helps to motivate them to know they can do anything they want to in life. For me, I have always liked to the story of Rudy Rutegar who got an education from Notre Dame. I also love hearing about Tom Cruises story and severe dyslexia. Whoopie Goldburg does a wonderful sketch regarding those with learning disorders, because she herself had one. I think we need more role models like these who have overcome, become successful despite disabilities. Namaste-Anora

Gr8 website