Even though an estimated 65 million people in the world have epilepsy, a neurological condition of the brain that causes seizures, not many people in the spotlight speak openly about it. Below is an ever-growing list of people — writers, athletes, entertainers, and others — who lived, and some who are still living, with epilepsy.
1. Vincent Van Gogh
‘I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate.’ — Vincent Van Gogh
Doctors believed painter Vincent Van Gogh lived with temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Temporal lobe seizures originate in the temporal lobes of the brain, which process emotions and are important for short-term memory.
2. Neil Young
Neil Young is a singer and songwriter who lives with epilepsy. He has also had polio and a brain aneurysm. His daughter, Amber Jean, also has epilepsy. Young helped found the Bridge School, where individuals with severe speech and physical impairments can go to learn.
“Epilepsy taught me that we’re not in control of ourselves.” — Neil Young
3. Edgar Allan Poe
“It is happiness to wonder. It is happiness to dream.” — Edgar Allan Poe
Poe wrote about his episodic unconsciousness, confusion and paranoia. While the cause of his death is still unknown, historians think Poe may have died from alcohol abuse, his epilepsy, or heart failure.
4. Theodore Roosevelt
“Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Both Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, and his brother Elliot had seizures throughout their lives. Despite his many health conditions, Theodore Roosevelt was active outdoors and is considered the “Conservationist President.”
5. Lewis Carroll
“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.” — Lewis Carroll
Author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, known under the pen name “Lewis Carroll,” recorded two of his seizures in journals. Doctors now suspect that Carroll lived with temporal lobe epilepsy.
6. Charles Dickens
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” — Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens had epilepsy when he was a child. Some prominent characters in his books had epilepsy, including Monks in “Oliver Twist” and Bradley Headstone in “Our Mutual Friend.”
7. Prince
“Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people.” — Prince
Prince dealt with epilepsy as a child but has stated that his epilepsy was cured. He spoke about this experience in a PBS interview.
8. Florence Griffith Joyner
“When anyone tells me I can’t do anything… I’m just not listening anymore.” — Florence Griffith Joyner
Flo-Jo was an American Olympian who died in 1998 from an epileptic seizure. She passed every drug test she took and denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
9. Lil Wayne
Rap superstar Lil Wayne was hospitalized in 2013 when he had a series of seizures. After recovering, he opened up about having multiple seizures throughout his life, helping to shed light on epilepsy for his millions of fans. “Epilepsy can be managed, and you can go on and do whatever you want to do.”
10. Jean Clemens
The youngest daughter of Mark Twain. She had epilepsy from age fifteen, which her father attributed to a childhood head injury. Her epilepsy was not successfully controlled and she was found dead on Christmas Eve in her bath aged 29.
11. Dai Greene
Olympic athlete Dai Greene is an example of how lifestyle habits can make a real difference. The British track and field hurdler has epilepsy but hasn’t had a seizure in years. After medications failed to eliminate his seizures, Greene realized that alcohol, stress, and lack of sleep triggered them. He changed his lifestyle dramatically and eventually came off medication under his specialist’s approval. While Dai’s success is inspiring, no one with a medical condition should stop taking medications without a serious discussion with their doctor.
12. Danny Glover
Danny Glover struggled with epilepsy and seizures as a child. Like many people with epilepsy, he outgrew the disorder. He attributes part of his success to being able to recognize the warning signs of seizures. Today, Glover works with the Epilepsy Foundation to bring awareness to epilepsy.
13. Jason Snelling
Former Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling was diagnosed with epilepsy in college. With treatment, he was able to continue his football career. Snelling has been outspoken about stigma: “Epilepsy can be managed, and you can go on and do whatever you want to do. Epilepsy has actually built my character.” He works with the Epilepsy Foundation’s African American initiative, Know the Difference.
14. Susan Boyle
The woman who made waves on “Britain’s Got Talent” struggled with epilepsy throughout her childhood. “At school I used to faint a lot. I had epilepsy. People in the public eye don’t have things like that.” By talking openly about her struggles, Boyle helps shine a light on children who may experience complex emotions because of epilepsy.
15. Rick Harrison
Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” lives with epilepsy. He has said: “Because of my seizures, I was forced to spend a lot of time in bed in my room away from the television when I was a kid … The best way to entertain myself was to read, so I became very interested in history books.” He works with the Epilepsy Foundation in Nevada.
16. Chanda Gunn
Chanda Gunn, goalie for the 2006 women’s U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of nine. She writes: “There’s no reason why a person with epilepsy can’t play sports or pursue their dreams.” She is also a spokeswoman for the Epilepsy Therapy Project.
17. Alan Faneca
Former NFL guard Alan Faneca was diagnosed with epilepsy at 15. He’s opened up about living in fear as a teenager: “I felt like a freak. You live scared that somebody is going to find out.” Despite his condition, he had a 13-year NFL career and is now a spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation.
18. Hugo Weaving
Australian actor Hugo Weaving started his battle with epilepsy as a teenager. He has been open about his experiences with the condition and medications. He hasn’t experienced a seizure in over 18 years.
19. Elton John
Elton John has struggled with epilepsy for years. In his five-decade career, he has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world.
20. Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great had epilepsy, although at the time it was diagnosed as the “sacred disease.” He spent most of his ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, creating one of the largest empires of the ancient world.
21. Adam Horovitz
Adam Horovitz began wearing a medical alert bracelet following the tonic-clonic seizure he experienced in 2003.
22. Bud Abbott
Famous comedian (half of the “Abbott and Costello” duo) who had epilepsy all his life, but tried to control and hide it. He was active in both television and film roles for over 30 years.
23. Ward Bond
Film actor whose epilepsy led to his exclusion from the draft during World War II. He appeared in more than 200 films and the NBC television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1960.
Contributing Sources:
- Healthline – Famous Faces of Epilepsy
- Wikipedia
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, including medications, diet, exercise, or supplementation. David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. Views expressed are personal and based on lived experience — they do not guarantee specific outcomes. David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com.
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