In Part Two of 50 Celebs You Didn’t Known Had a Health Condition, Bailey Klingaman walks through the remaining of the 50 celebrities with health conditions. This includes a breakdown of the conditions they face (the symptoms, causes, and treatment options) and which celebrities have the condition.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read Part 1 of this post (now or later) to learn about all of the celebrities with immune-specific conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and more. Even though some of these celebs are household names, you might be surprised about what you don’t know about them and what they’ve got going on in their personal lives. Read on to learn about the 50 celebs dealing with health conditions today, what their condition is, and how they’re pushing through.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows in other locations in the body. Most often, it affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. However, in rare instances, endometrial tissue can be found beyond the pelvic organs.
Endometriosis is typically a painful condition, as the tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds along with the uterine tissue during the menstrual cycle. But because the tissue grows in places it shouldn’t, it cannot leave the body like uterine tissue does.
When located on the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form, the surrounding tissue can become irritated and form scar tissue, and adhesions can appear, which cause pelvic organs to stick to each other.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, particularly linked to menstrual cycles. Other symptoms may include:
- Painful periods, often involving lower back and stomach pain
- Painful sex
- Painful bowel movements or urination
- Excessive bleeding during or between periods
- Infertility
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Nausea
However, some individuals with endometriosis have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition until they encounter fertility issues or undergo surgery.
For individuals with symptoms, endometriosis can be confused with other conditions that cause pelvic pain, such as ovarian cysts or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This makes endometriosis difficult for healthcare teams to diagnose.
Causes
The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but possible causes include:
- Retrograde menstruation – When menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes, carrying endometrial cells from the uterine lining to the pelvic organs.
- Hormones – Hormones like estrogen can transform embryonic cells into endometrial-adjacent cells during puberty. It is also possible for hormones to transform peritoneal cells in the lining of the abdomen into endometrial-adjacent cells.
- Immune System Factors – Immune conditions can impact the body’s ability to recognize and fight endometriosis tissue.
Treating Endometriosis
Endometriosis treatment typically involves surgery or medication, including:
- Pain medicines – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Hormone therapies – hormonal contraceptives, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists, progestin therapy, aromatase inhibitors
- Conservative surgery
- Fertility treatment
- Hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries
While there are not any specific intravenous medications for treating endometriosis, Gn-RH agonists like leuprolide acetate (Lupron) are given as injections and can be effective in lowering estrogen levels and alleviating symptoms.
6 Celebrities with Endometriosis
Daisy Ridley
In a now-deleted Instagram post from 2016, actress Daisy Ridley, best known for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and her latest project as Trudy Ederie in Young Woman and the Sea, opened up about her journey with endometriosis.
“At 15 I was diagnosed with endometriosis. One laparoscopy, many consultations and 8 years down the line, pain was back (more mild this time!) and my skin was THE WORST. I’ve tried everything: products, antibiotics, more products, more antibiotics) and all that did was left my body in a bit of a mess. Finally found out I have polycystic ovaries and that’s why it’s bad….My point is, to any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don’t worry about sounding like a hypochondriac. From your head to the tips of your toes we only have one body, let us all make sure ours [are] working in tip top condition, and take help if it’s needed.”
Daisy Ridley also has Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition impacting the thyroid gland. Learn more about Graves’ disease and Ridley’s journey in 50 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had a Health Condition – Part 1.
Lena Dunham
Writer, actress, director, and creator of the hit HBO television show Girls, Lena Dunham has dealt with endometriosis for over 15 years. She’s undergone more than 10 surgeries, one of which was a total hysterectomy in 2017.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan UK in 2020, Dunham said, “Having endometriosis has had a really interesting effect on my relationship with my body. Pain does not inherently make you feel sexy; pain doesn’t make you feel beautiful, but in another way it’s forced me to really take ownership of my body and express my needs.”
Padma Lakshmi
At 36 years old, author, model, producer, former television host of Top Chef, and current host of Taste the Nation, Padma Lakshmi was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis. Having undergone five procedures and being told she would not be able to have children, Lakshmi considers her daughter a miracle, she told the New York Post in a recent interview.
Along with Dr. Tamer Seckin, the doctor who identified, treated, and excised her endometrial tissue, Lakshmi co-founded EndoFound to raise awareness and fund research for endometriosis.
In a post on Instagram from March 2024, Lakshmi highlighted EndoFound’s success and said, “These days I rarely feel the pain from endometriosis that I felt monthly from the age of 13 to 36, and I wish the same relief for all who are suffering from it. No one should be held back from reaching their full potential by chronic pain. Endometriosis isn’t a woman’s disease. It’s a family disease.”
Bindi Irwin
Bindi Irwin, zookeeper, actress, and daughter of the late television personality Steven Irwin (known worldwide as “The Crocodile Hunter”), took to Instagram in March 2023 to share her experience with endometriosis.
Having lived with unimaginable pain for over 10 years, Irwin sought diagnosis and treatment, only to be told, “It was simply something you deal with as a woman.” With the help of a friend, Irwin finally underwent surgery for endometriosis, where they found 37 lesions and an ovarian cyst.
In her post, she says, “I’m aware of millions of women struggling with a similar story. There’s stigma around this awful disease. I’m sharing my story for anyone who reads this & is quietly dealing with pain & no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real & you deserve help. Keep searching for answers.”
Tia Mowry
Another celebrity, Tia Mowry, also opened up about her journey on social media. Best known for her role as Tia Landry in the comedy series Sister, Sister, Mowry shared an Instagram post for Endometriosis Awareness Month in March 2022, saying she is “thankful everyday” for her children.
“I learned that having endo doesn’t necessarily mean that a person’s dream of having a child won’t come true. And after making dietary changes, focusing on my health, and a lot of prayer came my beautiful children. So for others out there with endometriosis, I see you – and send you love, strength, encouragement and healing. #endometrosisawarenessmonth”
Halsey
Singer and songwriter Halsey has known that she had endometriosis for most of her life, but experienced more severe symptoms after giving birth to her first child, Ender, in July 2022. In an Instagram story, she revealed her diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, and POTS.
“I’ve known I’ve had autoimmune issues for most of my life, especially having endometriosis, but it’s kind of been exacerbated since I had Ender,” Halsey said. “[I’m] feeling like my body is rebelling against me a little bit and that started with being pregnant and now has evolved into something totally beyond pregnancy, beyond postpartum. I have a lot of angst and I have a lot of energy and I have a lot of confusion that I want to get out on that stage.”
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that is believed to amplify pain by affecting the way the brain and spinal cord process signals. Characterized by widespread pain, which requires pain to occur on both sides of the body and both above and below the waist, fibromyalgia can be accompanied by fatigue, memory problems, and mood issues.
Fibromyalgia is more commonly found in women and people who also experience tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, IBS, and anxiety and depression.
Symptoms
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Widespread pain – Often described as a constant, dull ache that lasts for at least three months.
- Fatigue – Sleep may be disrupted by pain, and many fibromyalgia patients also have other sleep disorders, like restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.
- Cognitive issues – Often referred to as “fibro fog,” this symptom causes difficulty focusing on mental tasks.
In some cases, symptoms begin after a triggering event, such as physical trauma, surgery, or infection. However, individuals have also reported that symptoms accumulate over time, despite not being prompted by an event.
Causes
Researchers believe that consistent nerve stimulation causes abnormal increases of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain. It is also believed that pain receptors develop a memory of the pain and become overly sensitized, causing the receptors to overreact to both painful and nonpainful signals.
Potential causes for these changes in brain and spinal cord function include:
- Genetics – Fibromyalgia tends to appear in families, so researchers believe there may be genetic mutations that make individuals more susceptible to developing the disorder.
- Infections or other conditions – Certain illnesses and conditions appear to trigger the development of fibromyalgia, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Physical or emotional events – Trauma caused by physical events, such as surgery or a car crash, can sometimes trigger fibromyalgia. Long-term psychological stress may also be a cause of the disorder.
Treating Fibromyalgia
Treatments for fibromyalgia typically include a combination of self-care strategies and medications, such as:
- Pain relievers
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure drugs
- Physical and occupational therapies
The most common intravenous medications for treatment of fibromyalgia include: lidocaine; ketamine; and nutritional infusions (Vitamins B and C, magnesium, calcium).
3 Celebrities with Fibromyalgia
Lady Gaga
Singer, songwriter, and actress Lady Gaga began her journey with fibromyalgia in 2013 when she fractured her hip. In September 2017, she postponed the European leg of her tour to focus on her health, saying in a Facebook post, “I’m a fighter. I use the word suffer not only because trauma and chronic pain have changed my life, but because they are keeping me from living a normal life. They are also keeping me from what I love the most in the world: performing for my fans.”
Since the beginning of her journey, Gaga has been open about her experience with the painful disorder, including self-medicating with marijuana. She shared that during her tour in 2022 was “the first time I’ve performed not in pain in…I don’t even remember,” and she is now pain-free after struggling for years.
Morgan Freeman
Unlike Gaga, Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, and Driving Miss Daisy actor Morgan Freeman is still working through his pain thanks to fibromyalgia. Following a car accident in 2008 that flipped the vehicle and injured both Freeman and his passenger, Freeman was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Despite undergoing surgery on his left hand to repair nerve damage, Freeman has found that the pain in his arm and hand is so debilitating that he requires a compression glove on the paralyzed limb to increase blood flow and can no longer participate in some of his favorite activities, like sailing.
However, in an interview with Esquire Magazine in 2012, Freeman made it clear that even though he can’t do everything he used to, his diagnosis does not keep him from enjoying life. “There is a point to changes like these. I have to move on to other things, to other conceptions of myself. I play golf. I still work. And I can be pretty happy just walking the land.”
Kyle Richards
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards opened up about her struggle with fibromyalgia on an episode of The Healer.
In the episode, Richards recalls that she first started feeling sick when her mother was battling breast cancer. Despite seeing numerous doctors about her mysterious condition and being repeatedly told that it was just her reaction to her mother’s death, she persisted until she found a specialist who validated her pain and told her about fibromyalgia.
While she shared about her condition on the show, Richards is not typically forthcoming about her struggle, saying in an interview with CBS, “That’s one thing I don’t really talk about usually. I talk about it right now because it’s been really bad lately so it’s been more of a focus. It comes and goes in my life….Sometimes it gets so bad that I can barely function, so I’m like ok, I have to figure out a way to physically take care of myself.”
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder and part of the group of disorders known as sickle cell disease that affect the shape of the body’s red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen through the body.
Healthy red blood cells are round and flexible to assist them in maneuvering through blood vessels. However, sickle cell anemia causes the blood cells to be shaped like sickles, or crescent moons, and makes them rigid and sticky. This slows and blocks blood flow, also impacting the oxygen distribution through the blood.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sickle cell anemia can vary depending on the individual and may change over time, but typically begin to appear around 6 months of age. These symptoms can include:
- Anemia – Healthy red blood cells usually live for approximately 120 days before being replaced, but sickle cells break apart easily and usually die within 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells.
- Painful episodes caused by blockages in the blood vessels of the chest, abdomen, and joints. It is also possible for some individuals to experience pain from bone and joint damage or ulcers.
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Frequent infections – Sickle cells damage the spleen, which is a vital organ in protecting the body from infections.
- Delays in growth or puberty
- Vision issues
Causes
Sickle cell anemia is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells. In order for someone to have sickle cell anemia, both of their parents had to have the sickle cell gene and pass it on to their child.
If only one parent carries the sickle cell gene, then the child will have the trait and become a carrier, but will not have sickle cell anemia. Their body will produce both typical hemoglobin and sickle cell hemoglobin, meaning that while they may have some sickle cells, they likely will not have any symptoms. However, they can pass the trait on to their children.
Treating Sickle Cell Anemia
Management of sickle cell anemia is usually aimed at avoiding pain episodes, relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Treatments might include medicines and blood transfusions. For some children and teenagers, a stem cell transplant might cure the disease. Gene therapies are also being developed that may offer cures for people with sickle cell disease.
For some children and teenagers, sickle cell anemia can be cured by a stem cell transplant. For adults and other individuals, scientists are currently working on gene therapies that may provide a cure for sickle cell disease. In the meantime, treatment is focused on pain management, symptom relief, and preventing further complications.
These treatments can involve:
- Blood transfusions
- Stem cell transplants
- Stem cell gene addition therapy
- Gene editing therapy
- Medications – crizanlizumab (Adakveo)
2 Celebrities with Sickle Cell Anemia
Billy Garrett Jr.
While Billy Garrett Jr. is a former NBA player, he is more commonly known as the first NBA player with sickle cell anemia. Diagnosed at birth, Garrett Jr. was discouraged from participating in sports. However, he chose to ignore the warnings, playing basketball in high school, committing to DePaul University, and later becoming a shooting guard for the New York Knicks.
He also participated in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) for 2021, hoping to spread awareness about sickle cell disease. “I thought what better way to try to spread awareness for sickle cell through the TBT, something that is nationally televised and it’s basketball—something I have been doing my entire life.”
Since then, Garrett Jr. has written and released a book titled “Ode to the Warrior,” documenting his experience with sickle cell while being a basketball player, and it is available on Amazon.
Tionne Watkins
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, founding member of the girl group TLC, also released a book about her journey with sickle cell disease, titled “A Sick Life: TLC ‘n Me: Stories from On and Off the Stage.”
In an interview with Good Morning America, Watkins shared that she was never expected to live past the age of 30, told she would be disabled her entire life, and that she would never have children. But at 54 years old and mother to a now 24-year-old daughter, Watkins defied her diagnosis.
But it didn’t come without its struggles, including difficulty performing and touring, as well as a life-threatening event after giving birth to her daughter Chase. “On the first night, the nurses told me I needed to breastfeed her….But sickle-cell patients need every drop of fluid they can get, and losing that much breast milk almost stopped my heart. Eventually, my body shut down, and I fell into a coma. I spent three days unconscious in the ICU.”
Still, Watkins pushes through the hard times, saying that despite the pain and challenges, her daughter gives her a reason to keep fighting. “Some days I wake up consumed by pain. It’s like knives stabbing me over and over again in my joints. Chase gave me a reason to keep pushing through.”
Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus. Depending on the individual, asthma can be a simple nuisance or a life-threatening condition.
Symptoms
The symptoms of asthma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing when exhaling
- Coughing or wheezing, which can be aggravated by respiratory viruses
- Chest tightness and/or pain
- Difficulty sleeping due to shortness of breath, coughing, or discomfort
Causes
Asthma is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and inherited susceptibility. Some asthmatics only experience symptoms at certain times, called asthma attacks, while others experience symptoms constantly. Triggering circumstances and environments can include:
- During exercise
- Occupationally – Asthma potentially triggered by workplace irritants.
- Allergies – Airborne allergens may trigger asthma, such as pollen, dust, mold spores, or pet dander.
- Respiratory infections
- Certain medications
- Sulfites and preservatives added to food
- Reflux
- Stress
Treating Asthma
For most individuals with asthma, quick-relief inhalers and medications help keep symptoms under control during flare-ups. These can include:
- Short-acting beta agonists
- Anticholinergic agents
- Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
For individuals with more severe asthma, looking for long-term solutions, or in cases where quick-relief treatments are not effective enough, asthmatics may turn to:
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
- Biologics
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Theophylline
- Bronchial thermoplasty
Intravenous medications, corticosteroids and biologics, that may help with asthma include: methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol); omalizumab (Xolair); mepolizumab (Nucala); dupilumab (Dupixent); reslizumab (Cinqair); and benralizumab (Fasenra).
3 Celebrities with Asthma
Pink
Pop star Pink has had asthma for her entire life but hadn’t experienced serious symptoms for decades until she contracted COVID-19. Pink’s symptoms would get so severe she would be rushed to the hospital.
When she had the coronavirus, it was the first time in 30 years she needed her nebulizer, a device that turns liquid medication into a mist that can be easily inhaled. In an interview with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Pink said, “I woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn’t breathe….That’s when I started to get really scared.”
When her son had COVID-19, Pink said she was the most scared she’s ever been. “My son was actually the sickest. When your kid is projectile vomiting and screaming and covered in a rash and telling you they can’t breathe. It’s the scariest thing,” she said to Hello Magazine.
The family is doing better now, but Pink knows that her condition makes her at high risk for contracting the virus and other infections, and they’re taking it one week at a time.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Now an Olympic track and field athlete, Jackie Joyner-Kersee originally kept her asthma diagnosis from her coaches, afraid it would impact her athletic standing.
After her diagnosis, she was in denial for a while and wasn’t following the doctor’s recommendations, including taking her medicine. “But once I stopped living in denial, I got my asthma under control, and I realized that it is a disease that can be controlled. But there were things I had to do to get it under control,” Joyner-Kersee said to NIH Medline Plus.
Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba is an actress and entrepreneur, co-founder of The Honest Company. The inspiration for The Honest Company actually came from a life of allergic reactions, hospital visits, and asthma.
At Forbes’ 30/50 Summit in 2023, Alba spoke about her experiences with asthma and why she’s so passionate about non-toxic and eco-friendly products.
“I was 27 years old, pregnant with my first child and my mother recommended that I use a certain laundry detergent that is marketed for baby clothing. I had an allergic reaction and it threw me back to my childhood with breathing machines, my lungs closing, and being terrified that my baby that was in my belly – I was about to pop – was going to have the same issues as me,” Alba said.
So in 2012, she started her brand, which has grown into a million-dollar company and strives to put clean products into the hands of consumers, all because Alba’s health history inspired her to spark change for others like her who may be impacted by the current products available.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak impacts the facial nerve near an individual’s ear. It can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss, as well as a painful shingles rash.
Symptoms
There are two primary symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome:
- A painful rash with fluid-filled blisters around the ear
- Facial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear
However, individuals with Ramsay Hunt syndrome may also experience:
- Ear pain
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty closing one eye
- Vertigo
- Loss or change in taste
- Dry mouth and/or eyes
Causes
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) found in both shingles and chickenpox. Even after recovering from the illness, the virus remains in the body and can become reactivated later on, causing Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
Treating Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Treatment for Ramsay Hunt syndrome is aimed at relieving pain and decreasing long-term complications. These treatments can include:
- Corticosteroids
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Pain relievers
- Antiviral drugs – IV medication acyclovir (Sitavig, Zovirax)
1 Celebrity with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Justin Bieber
Singer and songwriter Justin Bieber, known for his pop hits like “Sorry” and “Baby,” revealed in an Instagram video in June 2022 that he had facial paralysis as a result of his Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
A few days after canceling a few upcoming shows due to illness, he posted his video, saying, “As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move. So there’s full paralysis on this side of my face.
He took a break from his worldwide “Justice” tour, saying in an Instagram story, “As the result of this illness, I was not able to complete the North America leg of the Justice Tour.”
While performing in Brazil the weekend before, Bieber said his illness had caught up with him. “After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me, and I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now. So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being.”
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system where neurons in the brain break down or die. A slow-moving disorder, the symptoms of Parkinson’s tend to develop over time.
These symptoms are caused by the loss of neurons that produce vital chemical messengers in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine (made from dopamine). Decreases in dopamine levels lead to irregular brain activity and movement problems, and decreases in norepinephrine impact blood pressure, mood, memory, and more.
Symptoms
Depending on the current stage of Parkinson’s disease and the individual, symptoms may vary. However, most symptoms begin on one side of the body and spread to the other. Common symptoms include:
- Tremor in the hands, fingers, feet, or jaw
- Slowed movement
- Stiff muscles that may feel tense or painful
- Poor posture and balance
- Loss of automatic movements, such as blinking, smiling, or swinging arms while walking
- Speech changes
- Writing changes
- Nonmotor-related symptoms, including depression, anxiety, constipation, and sleep issues
Causes
While the cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, genes and environmental factors appear to have an impact:
- Genetics – Genetic influences are rare unless many family members have a history of Parkinson’s disease.
- Environment – Exposure to toxins, such as MPTP or “synthetic heroin,” may increase an individual’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. However, no specific factor has been identified as a cause.
Treating Parkinson’s Disease
Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured. However, surgery, exercise, therapy, and medications often help manage symptoms. These treatments can include:
- Carbidopa-levodopa (Rytary, Sinemet, others) – primary intravenous medication
- Inhaled levodopa (Inbrija)
- Carbidopa-levodopa infusion (Duopa)
- Dopamine agonists – Apomorphine (Apokyn), a short-acting dopamine shot for quick relief
- Monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) inhibitors
- Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors
- Anticholinergics
- Adenosine receptor antagonists (A2A receptor antagonists)
- Pimavanserin (Nuplazid)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)
5 Celebrities with Parkinson’s Disease
Michael J. Fox
Most notably known as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movie series, Michael J. Fox is also a staunch advocate for Parkinson’s disease research. He was diagnosed in 1991 after experiencing a tremor in his pinky finger, but kept his condition a secret for years.
It wasn’t until 1999 that Fox realized he couldn’t hide forever and came clean about his diagnosis. He retired from the series he was currently acting on, Spin City, the following year to focus on advocacy and fundraising for Parkinson’s research. It was then that he started The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
When he revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Fox was pleasantly surprised by the public response, saying in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, “They responded with interest, in the desire to find an answer to the disease, and then I saw that as a great opportunity. I didn’t get put in this position to squander it.”
Alan Alda
Known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H*, Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and shared his diagnosis in an interview with CBS in 2018.
After experiencing strange dreams, Alda said he went to the doctor to be tested for a neurological disorder. “I was having a dream that someone was attacking me and I threw a sack of potatoes at them. But what I was really doing was throwing a pillow at my wife.”
To help keep his symptoms under control, Alda focuses on keeping his body moving, whether it be for exercise, therapy, or just moving to music. “A lot of people hear they have Parkinson’s and get depressed and panicky and don’t do anything, just hoping it’ll go away. It’s not going to, but you can hold off the worst symptoms,” he said to AARP in 2020.
Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond, singer and songwriter known for his hit songs like “Sweet Caroline,” revealed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which had caused him to abruptly end touring.
While he’s had a difficult time coming to terms with his disease, he says it’s a work in progress and he’s trying to make the best of it. “Somehow a calm has moved [into] the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio,” Diamond said in an interview with CBS. “And I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people, I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”
Brett Favre
Record-breaking former NFL player for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings, Brett Favre also has Parksinson’s disease, he told TMZ Sports in August 2024.
He suspected something was wrong when his arm kept getting “stuck,” he was unable to pick up a screwdriver, and he couldn’t get his jacket on. With Favre’s condition, numerous doctors told him they believed head trauma to be a potential cause for the condition. Having had “thousands” of concussions, head trauma is something Favre is no stranger to. In 2020, a study came out that supported the doctors’ theory, showing that a single concussion can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s by 57%.
Luckily for Favre, medications help him keep all of his symptoms manageable, but he still experiences some stiffness in the mornings. “When I wake up in the morning, I feel like a board. I don’t need any help because of football to be any stiffer. But, all things considered, I’m a very blessed man.”
Ozzy Osbourne
Like his son, the lead singer of Black Sabbath and “Prince of Darkness” Ozzy Osbourne also has a health condition. While son Jack has multiple sclerosis, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019. In an interview with Good Morning America, he revealed that he has PRKN 2, a type of Parkinson’s that can be early-onset.
While he said it’s been hard to adjust to not being able to go about life like he used to and having to postpone his world tour, Osbourne said he’s doing much better than he was at the time of his diagnosis, thanks in part to medication and nerve pills.
He also took a moment to appreciate his fans, saying, “They’re my air, you know. I feel better. I’ve owned up to the fact that I have…a case of Parkinson’s. And I just hope they hang on and they’re there for me because I need them.”
Check out 50 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had a Health Condition – Part 1 to continue through the list of celebrities with health conditions. Up next, autoimmune disorders.
