Part One: 50 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had an Autoimmune Health Condition

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It is both a painful and debilitating disease and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.

Different people can experience inflammation in different areas of the digestive tract but the most common location is at the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. However, inflammation usually spreads to deeper layers of the bowel. Crohn’s can also impact multiple sections of the digestive tract, or be continuous.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease may come on suddenly, but typically develop gradually. Individuals with Crohn’s may also go a period of time with no symptoms, known as remission. Common symptoms include:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Mouth sores
• Blood in the stool
• Pain or drainage near or around the anus due to the presence of a fistula (an abnormal passageway from inside the anus to the skin outside)

For those with severe Crohn’s disease, symptoms may occur outside of the digestive tract, including:

• Inflammation of the skin, eyes, joints, liver, or bile ducts
• Kidney stones
• Iron deficiency, known as anemia
• Delays in growth or sexual development in children

Causes

The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. While stress and diet were previously believed to be the cause, healthcare professionals have since found that these only aggravate, but do not cause, Crohn’s disease. However, certain factors may play a role in the development of Crohn’s, including:

• Genes – Researchers have identified over 200 genes that are associated with Crohn’s disease. While they are unsure what role each plays, it is believed that having one or more of these genes makes someone more susceptible to developing the disease.
• Immune system – It is possible that the presence of bacteria or viruses in the gut may trigger Crohn’s disease, but this theory is not yet supported by research. Certain bacteria have been found to be associated with Crohn’s, but researchers have not been able to prove that they cause the disease to develop.

Treating Crohn’s Disease

There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease and no single medication that works for all cases. Treatments can also vary depending on the objective, which can range from reducing inflammation to improving the long-term outcomes. These treatments can involve:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Immunosuppressants
• Antibiotics
• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors
• Biologics
• Nutrition therapy
• Surgery

Administered intravenously, some biologic medications used to treat Crohn’s include: infliximab (Renflexis, Avsola, Remicade, Inflectra, or Ixifi); adalimumab (Humira); certolizumab pegol (Cimzia); risankizumab (Skyrizi); vedolizumab (Entyvio); natalizumab (Tysabri); and ustekinumab (Stelara).

4 Celebrities with Crohn’s Disease

Kevin Dineen

Former professional ice hockey player and coach Kevin Dineen initially thought his Crohn’s diagnosis wasn’t a big deal. He knew it was common for athletes to go through some physical setbacks and injuries, but hadn’t realized how debilitating Crohn’s disease can be until he was hospitalized during the NHL season.

“It was a real eye-opening experience because that [a quick fix] is just not the way it works. This is a chronic, debilitating disease that’s with you for life. It took me a couple of years to come to grips with that,” Dineen said in an interview with USA Hockey Magazine.

Regardless of his diagnosis, Dineen continued to play hockey for a total of 18 years, and coached for 19 more. His most recent position was as Head Coach of the Utica Comets, but he was relieved of his position in November 2024.

Nevertheless, Dineen refuses to let Crohn’s keep him from the sport he loves, saying, “No matter how ugly things can be at the rink, or you feel they are at the rink, there’s this whole other world that’s functioning around you and you’ve got to get on board.”

Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson, best known for his sketches as a former Saturday Night Live cast member, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease as a teenager. He’s been open about his diagnosis, as well as the fact that he has used marijuana to help cope and relieve his symptoms. 

One of these symptoms includes Davidson’s characteristic dark eyes, something that has been mentioned in the media quite a bit. In 2018, Barstool Sports tweeted an article titled Does Pete Davidson have butthole eyes? which immediately received backlash from Davidson’s then-fiancé Ariana Grande.

In combination with Crohn’s disease, Davidson also has borderline personality disorder, which contributes to the discoloration of the skin around his eyes. But Davidson doesn’t seem to mind, saying on the stand-up comedy series Netflix is a Joke, “People say I have butthole eyes because I don’t sleep very much, and I have Crohn’s, so my eyes turn different colors. But I like it. I like my eyes. I like looking like a raccoon. No, seriously. Everybody else’s eyes are regular as fu**, and I look sick and scary.”

Mike McCready

Mike McCready, the founding member and lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, says that while he was living his musical dreams opening for the Rolling Stones in 1997, he was also struggling with his IBD diagnosis behind the scenes. It wasn’t until years later that McCready was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease following months of abdominal pain and bloody discharge.

And his journey hasn’t been easy. “You always have to know where a bathroom is. There’s a level of anxiety and depression with that, along with shame, anger, and fear.  Sometimes you might [just go], and you can’t do anything about it, because it’s completely painful, and you have to go in two to three seconds. Psychologically, it can be quite damaging in terms of going out in public or going on a date,” said McCready in an interview with Fox News.

But despite his celebrity, McCready has kept his diagnosis a secret from the public for almost two decades. It wasn’t until a 2012 issue of Crohn’s Advocate magazine and deciding to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America that McCready opened up.

“Crohn’s doesn’t define who you are. You are a human being, you are special and a great addition to society. Crohn’s is just a part of your life. Try to be positive and pro active – therein lies the solution.”

David Garrard

Former NFL quarterback David Garrard was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2004. After only a few months with his diagnosis, his medication began to fail and he was hospitalized. Rather than undergo surgery, Garrard decided to try out the new-at-the-time medication Remicade to help with inflammation.

A few years later, Garrard helped organize a fund for Crohn’s disease research that raised $180,000. “Since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease several years ago, it has been my goal to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to help inspire other people who are living with Crohn’s disease. I want people to know that if I can overcome this condition and still live a happy and healthy life, they can too,” said Garrard.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage, primarily to the joints and bones. However, RA can also damage other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, and blood vessels.

Symptoms

Early RA typically affects the lining of the smaller joints first, like those connecting the fingers and toes, and can cause painful swelling, bone erosion, and joint deformity. As it progresses, RA can also spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders.

Depending on the individual, symptoms can vary in severity and may occur in flares, alternating with periods of remission. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often occur on both sides of the body and can include:

• Tender, warm, and/or swollen joints
• Joint stiffness that may worsen after inactivity
• Fatigue, fever, and/or loss of appetite

Causes

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not certain, but researchers suspect the following are involved:

• Genetics – While genes do not directly cause RA, it is likely that there is a genetic component involved in its development that works hand-in-hand with environmental factors.
• Environment – Certain factors, such as infection or bacteria, may trigger the development of RA.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

When treating rheumatoid arthritis, the earlier treatment begins, the more effective it can be in leading to remission. Treatments can involve therapy, surgery, or medications like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroids
• Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Targeted synthetic DMARDs
• Biologics 

Administered intravenously, some biologic medications used to treat RA include: abatacept (Orencia); adalimumab (Humira); anakinra (Kineret); certolizumab (Cimzia); etanercept (Enbrel); golimumab (Simponi); infliximab (Remicade); rituximab (Rituxan); sarilumab (Kevzara); and tocilizumab (Actemra).

3 Celebrities with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Megan Park

Actress and singer Megan Park, best known for her role as Grace Bowman in the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, had the classic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when she was diagnosed as a child with juvenile RA.

Her mother also has RA, so Park knew the signs and was encouraged to advocate for herself when it came to doctors’ appointments. “It’s important that each of us be the lead character in our own lives, arming ourselves with information that will help us be our own health advocates.”

While rheumatoid is usually associated with the elderly, Park wants people to know that it can affect all ages and at different severities. Years ago, she underwent surgery on her knee due to joint damage, but some problems still remained. Fortunately, RA hasn’t interfered with Park’s work, as she’s been careful to rest and care for her body.

“But I actually think in a lot of ways, it’s helped me understand that everybody has plights, and it’s made me more empathetic, which I think has helped me as an artist, when I’m acting,” Park said in an interview with People. “I think it’s opened my eyes to, everybody has a story, essentially. You may not know about it, but everybody has something.”

Kathleen Turner

Two-time Golden Globes-winning actress Kathleen Turner is known not only for her iconic roles in movies like Body Heat and Romancing the Stone, but also as a staunch advocate for people with rheumatoid arthritis. 

In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Turner touched on her experience with RA and how it impacted her image and her work. “At that time there was very little public knowledge about autoimmune diseases, so my illness was a source of bad mystery,” Turner said. “And the only real effective treatment back then was massive doses of steroids, which has massive side effects. If I went to pick up a bottle, for example, I couldn’t grip it, and people would assume I was inebriated.”

But Turner is a self-proclaimed stubborn woman and refused to let the press take advantage of her illness or give in to her diagnosis. “I got back to full strength, as full as I would ever be again. They told me I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Now, that was almost 30 years ago. And I look at what I’ve done in 30 years and I think: ‘Well, go to hell!’”

Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki, professional tennis player and formerly ranked No. 1 in singles, started to feel the first signs of RA in 2018. But it wasn’t until she woke up completely unable to move that she knew more was going on than just exhaustion.

Despite numerous doctors brushing her off and assuring her she was just sore, Wozniacki persisted until she was finally diagnosed in the fall of 2018. As a largely invisible condition, Wozniacki relied on the support of family to be understanding about her unseen pain while she worked on getting better.

For her, tracking her symptoms and potential triggers helps Wozniacki feel more in control of her health, saying in an interview with MedLine Plus Magazine, “What has been really helpful is to write down what makes me feel good and what makes me feel bad. So, for example, I will write down what I ate the day before and how it made me feel the next day. This helps me to know what might trigger a flare-up of my arthritis.”

Still’s Disease

Still’s disease, or adult-onset Still disease (AOSD), is a rare type of arthritis that may surface once, continuously, or as a returning condition. It is characterized by the daily fevers, joint pain, and fleeting rashes.

Symptoms

In addition to the frequent fevers, accompanying rashes, and achy joints, individuals with AOSD can also experience:

• Sore throat due to the lymph nodes in the neck being swollen
• Muscle pain that can accompany the fever and rash

As a rare condition, AOSD can be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms often mimic those of other autoimmune conditions and can vary depending on the individual.

Causes

The cause of AOSD is unknown, as only about 1 in 100,000 develop the disease. Researchers suspect it to be triggered by some kind of infection.

Treating Still’s Disease

The treatment used for AOSD depends on the potential symptoms and severity of the disease, but can involve:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Steroids
• Methotrexate
• Biologics 

Administered intravenously, some biologic medications used to treat AOSD include: anakinra (Kineret); canakinumab (Ilaris) ; tocilizumab (Actemra); etanercept (Enbrel); infliximab (Remicade); adalimumab (Humira); and rituximab (Rituxan).

1 Celebrity with Still’s Disease

Emily V. Gordon

Writer, producer, and podcast host Emily V. Gordon’s most popular production is actually a movie based on her own life. The Big Sick is a romantic comedy that follows the relationship between Gordon and her now husband, Kumail Nanjiani. 

(Spoiler Alert!) The movie details Emily and Kumail meeting and falling in love, but throws in a twist when it is revealed that Emily has a serious illness and she falls into a coma. Thankfully, Gordon/Emily’s condition improves and she wakes up from the coma, and we know in real life that Gordon and Nanjiani marry and fight her condition together.

In reality, Gordon’s condition of Still’s disease doesn’t always have a happy ending and can make everyday life difficult. Especially in addition to her diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), Gordon gets sick more often than most.

“I get all kinds of illnesses all the time,” Gordon said in an interview with People. “And that was all before the pandemic, which then became a lot scarier because if I was at risk for all of those, obviously I was at much higher risk for contracting COVID 19 as well.”

But she doesn’t want to live in fear of her condition, also saying, “The only way for me to be completely sure of my health is to stay inside and never leave the house. And I’m not interested in leading that kind of life.” Instead, she partnered up with AstraZeneca’s “Up The Antibodies” campaign to increase education and awareness about ways to prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of arthritis that can affect some individuals with psoriasis. The majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis are diagnosed with psoriasis years before being diagnosed with PsA. Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic conditions that worsen over time, but may have periods of remission.

Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis is the result of the body’s response to the immune attacks on the healthy tissue, causing inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. While psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have many similar symptoms, such as painful, swollen, or warm joints, PsA can also cause:

• Swelling of the fingers and toes
• Foot pain, specifically at the back of the heel or in the sole of the foot where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone
• Lower back pain, known as spondylitis
• Changes in the nail, such as dents or separation from the nail bed
• Inflammation of the eyes, eye pain, eye redness, and/or blurry vision
• Red, scaly patches of skin

Causes

Researchers believe that psoriatic arthritis is caused by a combination of:

• Genetic factors – Many people with PsA have a family history of either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. There are certain genetic markers that are associated with PsA.
• Environment – Viruses or bacterial infections may serve as triggers for psoriatic arthritis in people with an inherited predisposition.
• Physical trauma – Evidence suggests that a deep injury to the bone or joints can increase the likelihood of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

The main objective in treating psoriatic arthritis is inflammation control. Depending on how severe the condition is and the areas affected, treatment may involve therapy, surgery, or medications like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Targeted synthetic DMARDs
• Oral medication
• Biologics 

Administered intravenously, some biologic medications used to treat PsA include: adalimumab (Humira); certolizumab (Cimzia); etanercept (Enbrel); golimumab (Simponi); infliximab (Remicade); ustekinumab (Stelara); secukinumab (Cosentyx); ixekizumab (Taltz); guselkumab (Tremfya); and abatacept (Orencia).

3 Celebrities with Psoriatic Arthritis

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian, television personality and entrepreneur, revealed in 2022 that her diet for the recent Met Gala, where she appeared in Marilyn Monroe’s bedazzled gown, triggered psoriatic arthritis. 

Her first encounter with psoriasis occurred when she was 25 after suffering from a cold. After seeing a dermatologist, she was in remission until her 30s, when her psoriasis flared up and covered her face and the majority of her body. In her sister Kourtney’s blog, Kardashian said, “I was freaking out—I couldn’t even pick up a toothbrush, my hands hurt so badly….As the day went on, I got a bit more movement in my hands, but they really hurt from the inside—I felt it in my bones. Everyone assumed it was just my workout, but I knew this felt different.”

After seeing a doctor, Kardashian’s tests came back positive for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. However, these were false positives, and she was finally diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. No matter her diagnosis, Kardashian was determined to get through it. 

And even though she still struggles with flare-ups, she doesn’t let it keep her from living her life, saying, “If you have psoriasis, you can’t let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over.”

Ted Danson

Actor and activist Ted Danson, known for his portrayal of Sam Malone in the television series Cheers and Michael in The Good Place, was prescribed topical medication after noticing his psoriatic symptoms at the age of 25. At the time, topical medication was the best available treatment, but Danson’s condition worsened and eventually progressed into psoriatic arthritis.

“It was embarrassing, and it made me angry and scared,” he told Verywell. “I felt victimized by my body, and I didn’t know what to do about it….I was never comfortable, and my condition was always something that I had to manage. It impacted my self-worth, and I always felt, to some degree, like I was faking it.”

It wasn’t until about 20 years ago when Danson was prescribed an immune-targeting medication that he finally began to feel relief. He also went on to make dietary changes, improving his symptoms even more. “You can’t cure psoriasis through diet, but it can have a huge impact on your overall physical and mental health.”

Phil Mickelson

In 2010, professional golfer Phil Mickelson entered into a partnership with Amgen and Pfizer to share his experience with psoriatic arthritis and treatment using the medication Enbrel. With the goal of helping other individuals advocate for themselves, Mickelson hoped to “encourage other patients to work with their doctors, learn about their condition and take action so that they have an opportunity to get back to some of the things that matter most to them.”

His symptoms were already bothering him in the days leading up to the U.S. Open in 2010, but got even worse during the tournament. “I would just lay down and I couldn’t roll over. I was concerned about being able to swing a club and so forth,” Mickelson said in a statement to the press.

At the time of his statement, he had been taking Enbrel for a full year and reported feeling “100 percent.” He was considering stopping the medication and seeing if his PsA would go into remission. “It’s not that it’s cured, but it may never come back. Or if it does come back, I’ll start the treatment again and should be able to live a normal life without having any adverse effects,” Mickelson said.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis, is an inflammatory disease that can cause the bones in the spine to fuse together. Inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body, typically the eyes.

There are two types of axial spondyloarthritis: nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis. Nr-axSpA is when the disease cannot be seen via an X-ray, but is identified through other means, such as blood testing, imaging, or symptoms. Ankylosing spondylitis is when the condition can be found in an X-ray.

Symptoms

Symptoms for ankylosing spondylitis typically begin in early adulthood and may involve back pain and stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity. Depending on the individual, symptoms may worsen, improve, or stop for periods of time. Areas commonly affected include:

• Joint between the base of the spine and the pelvis
• Lower back
• Cartilage between the breastbone and the ribs
• Hip and shoulder joints
• Places where the tendons and ligaments attach to the bones, typically in the spine but also along the back of the heel

Causes

Ankylosing spondylitis has no known cause, but individuals with the HLA-B27 gene are at a higher risk of developing the condition. However, not all individuals with the gene develop ankylosing spondylitis.

Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis

Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is intended to relieve pain and prevent or delay further complications. It is most effective the sooner treatment is started, and can include surgery, therapy, or medications like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitor
• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor
• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker

Examples of TNF blockers include the intravenous medications: adalimumab (Humira); certolizumab pegol (Cimzia); etanercept (Enbrel); golimumab (Simponi); and infliximab (Remicade).

2 Celebrities with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Dan Reynolds

In 2015, during the Imagine Dragons concert in Leeds Arena, lead singer Dan Reynolds came clean about his ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis. He’d been keeping it a secret because he was embarrassed, but finally decided to let his fans know what had been going on with him from as early as high school.

It wasn’t until adulthood that Reynolds pursued a diagnosis, seeing doctor after doctor until age 24. “Right before the band was signed, we played in clubs around LA and Las Vegas. We had one of those airport shuttle buses that we traveled in. Labels started coming to our shows, and I knew I was not putting on the shows I could put on,” Reynolds said in an interview with Everyday Health. 

In a now-deleted post from 2018, Reynold’s took to Instagram to share the progress with his health, which he’d been managing with diet, vitamins, exercise, and medication only when he had a flare-up. His flare-ups, he said, are partially triggered by stress. Reynolds urged anyone with ankylosing spondylitis to dive into proper stress management and make health a priority, since those have worked wonders for him.

“I’ve spent a decade fighting an autoimmune disease that inflamed all my joints (AS). I now live pain-free, am in full remission, and am the healthiest I’ve ever been. Correct diet, vitamins, and exercise. It’s been life-changing for me.”

Mick Mars

Former lead guitarist for Mötley Crüe, Mick Mars says he first felt a sharp pain in his tailbone when he was only 14. Over the years, the pain spread and his symptoms worsened while he was touring with the band. Since he didn’t have the money to see a doctor, he forced himself to push through despite the growing pain.

Unfortunately, Mars’ condition caught up with him, telling Rolling Stone, “It feels like there’s a 40-pound cinder block tied to my forehead with string at all times, pulling it down.”

Today, Mars says his spine is “one solid bone” and that he’s three inches shorter than he used to be. He underwent a hip surgery in 2004 to help with mobility, and he now manages his condition with swimming and other exercises.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes the immune system to attack the protective covering of the nerves, also known as myelin. This interrupts the communication between the brain and the body, causing damage to the nerve fibers.

There are different types of MS classified depending on the progression of the disease and frequency of relapses. These include:

• Clinically-Isolated Syndrome – Clinically-isolated syndrome is the first episode of a condition (not necessarily MS) that impacts the myelin. It may be diagnosed as MS or a different condition.
• Radiologically-Isolated Syndrome – Radiologically-isolated syndrome is when MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord present findings that reflect those of MS, but the patient does not exhibit the classic symptoms of MS.
• Relapsing-Remitting MS – Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common type of MS. Individuals with this type experience cyclical periods of relapses and new symptoms, with intervals of remission lasting months to years.
• Secondary-Progressive MS – Approximately 20% to 40% of individuals with relapsing-remitting MS will eventually develop secondary-progressive MS. This is the steady progression of symptoms that may come without remission and typically occurs 10-40 years after the onset of MS. 
• Primary-Progressive MS – Some individuals with MS have primary-progressive MS, a gradual and steady development of symptoms without relapses.

Symptoms

Symptoms of MS vary depending on the individual, the location of the nerve damage, and the severity of the damage. However, common symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling
• Sensations of shock when moving the neck, also known as Lhermitte’s sign
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty or inability to walk
• Partial or complete loss of vision, typically in one eye at a time
• Double vision or blurry vision
• Vertigo and dizziness
• Trouble with sexual, bladder, or bowel function
• Fatigue
• Slurred speech
• Mood changes
• Troubles with memory and comprehension

Causes

The cause of MS is unclear, though a combination of genetics and environmental factors is suspected to increase the likelihood of developing the disease. 

Treating Multiple Sclerosis

While there is no cure for MS, treatment revolves around recovery after attacks, reducing relapses, managing symptoms, and slowing the disease progression. These treatments could involve therapy or medications, such as:

• Corticosteroids
• Plasma exchange
• Injectable, oral, or infusion therapies

Infusion therapies can include medications like: natalizumab (Tysabri); ocrelizumab (Ocrevus); ublituximab (Briumvi); and alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada).

4 Celebrities with Multiple Sclerosis

Selma Blair

Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions actress Selma Blair shared about her MS diagnosis in her 2021 documentary, Introducing, Selma Blair. She showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of her life, including how multiple sclerosis has impacted her life and mental health.

“We have a long time to be dead and I spent so long trying to kill myself, or numb myself, or check out — or figure out how to be alive by being half dead,” Blair said in the documentary. “And now I just want to help other people feel better.”

She’s been in remission since 2021, but says that some of her symptoms might stay with her indefinitely. “I do have things that will probably always be with me, dystonia and things that come and go that are a real phenomenon. But neurology is an interesting thing and it’s fascinating to me.”

To maintain her health, she is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, which infuses her with healthy antibodies from donors, and gets multiple MRIs a year. 

“I don’t think people get how expensive it is to be disabled. Some days are really hard, and I wonder about working — I’m a single mom supporting my kid and want a great life for us. But I know I’m privileged and others struggle so much more,” Blair said.

Christina Applegate

Best known for her role as Kelly Bundy on the sitcom Married…with Children, actress Christina Applegate was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021. Along with fellow actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Applegate started her podcast, MeSsy, to find solidarity in her MS diagnoses. 

In an episode from November 2024, “The Beauty of the Invisible Disease with Rory Kandel,” Applegate opened up about the pain she’s experienced due to her MS. “I can’t even pick up my phone sometimes, ’cause now it’s traveled into my hands. So I’ll, like, try to go get my phone or get my remote to turn on the TV or whatever, and I can’t—sometimes I can’t even hold ’em. I can’t open bottles now.”

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Former The Sopranos actress and co-host of the MeSsy Podcast, Jamie-Lynn Sigler has relapsing-remitting MS and was diagnosed in 2001. Originally worried that her symptoms were due to the return of Lyme disease, which Sigler had had a year prior, she had an MRI and a spinal tap to figure out the issue.

In an interview with TODAY in 2016, Sigler said she was initially embarrassed about her diagnosis. “With something like MS, you lose control over things that you once had, and it’s slowly taken away from you, and that can chip away at your self-worth and you can feel less than and (have) a lot of negative feelings.”