Celebrities with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Their Stories and Impact

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It causes damage to the protective covering surrounding nerve fibers called myelin. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and body, leading to a wide range of symptoms.

There is no known cure for MS, but treatment options focus on managing symptoms, reducing flare-ups, and slowing the disease progression. MS symptoms vary significantly between patients and can come and go unpredictably.

Common symptoms include fatigue, mobility issues, numbness, bladder dysfunction, cognitive changes, vision problems, and pain. These symptoms can range from mild to disabling depending on the patient.

Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis

Around 1 million people are living with MS in the United States, with about 200 new cases diagnosed every week. Worldwide, more than 2.8 million people have MS.

MS is more common in women than men and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. However, the disease can affect younger and older people too.

Having a close family member with MS slightly increases your risk of developing the condition. Environmental factors may also play a role.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

The underlying cause of MS is still not fully understood, but research points to a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. These triggers may allow the immune system to start attacking myelin.

Potential triggers being investigated include low vitamin D levels, smoking, Epstein-Barr virus, and gut bacteria imbalances. More research is needed to confirm links to these and other possible triggers.

In most cases of MS, damage occurs with no family history of the disease. But having a parent or sibling with MS does increase your risk, indicating genes play a role too.

Famous Faces of Multiple Sclerosis

A number of famous people and celebrities over the years have opened up publicly about living with MS. By raising awareness as public figures, they help inspire others with the condition and advocate for more research funding and support.

Here are 13 celebrities who are battling or have battled MS during their time in the spotlight.

Christina Applegate

Beloved actress Christina Applegate revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with MS a few months prior. Now 50 years old, she became known in the late 80s/early 90s playing the ditzy daughter Kelly Bundy on Married... with Children.

She has continued acting over the past few decades in hit movies like Anchorman and Bad Moms. As a public figure, Applegate has helped shed more light on the daily challenges of living with incurable MS.

Selma Blair

In 2018, actress Selma Blair announced she was diagnosed with MS and had been experiencing symptoms for years. Best known for films like Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and Hellboy, Blair continued acting for as long as possible after her diagnosis.

But symptoms like difficulty walking eventually forced her to step back from bigger roles. She detailed her health journey in the documentary Introducing, Selma Blair. The film gave many viewers a raw, honest look at MS.

Jack Osbourne

Jack Osbourne, son of famous rockstar Ozzy Osbourne, went public with his MS diagnosis in 2012 after noticing vision problems. Only 26 years old at the time, adjusting to the condition was difficult and required a lot of mental readjustment.

Osbourne has used his media presence to speak openly about MS over the last decade. As well as advocacy work, he's continued working in TV hosting and production. Regular exercise helps him manage fatigue and other symptoms.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Best known for her breakout role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, Jamie-Lynn Sigler revealed her MS diagnosis in 2016. Symptoms began when she was just 20 years old, but she only received the definitive diagnosis at age 30.

Living more than a decade with unpredictable symptoms without knowing the cause was extremely challenging. After going public, Sigler began using her platform to provide education and inspiration for others living with MS.

Teri Garr

Veteran actress Teri Garr had an active movie career spanning the 1960s to early 2000s with roles in classics like Young Frankenstein and Tootsie. But around 1983 while filming a movie, she began experiencing debilitating symptoms.

It took over a decade before doctors definitively diagnosed her with MS in 1999. She has continued acting occasionally while also using her fame to help raise MS awareness and push for stem cell research.

Annette Funicello

As one of the original iconic Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s, Annette Funicello grew up in the spotlight. She later starred in a series of popular Beach Party films in the 1960s alongside Frankie Avalon.

When Funicello began experiencing MS symptoms in 1987, she and her family initially kept it private. As the disease progressed, she stopped filming movies in the 1990s and passed away due to complications from MS in 2013 at age 70.

Montel Williams

After serving in both the US Marines and Navy, Montel Williams started gaining fame in the 1990s hosting The Montel Williams Show talk show. But in 1999 soon after achieving his greatest professional success, he was blindsided by an MS diagnosis.

Montel has continued his entertainment career while battling MS symptoms for over 20 years now. He also started a foundation to raise money for MS research and educate others about the condition.

Clay Walker

Country singer Clay Walker was shocked to be diagnosed with MS at only 26 years old in 1996 just as his music career was taking off. before his diagnosis, strange temporary blindness episodes while performing led doctors to uncover he had the autoimmune condition.

Thankfully disease-modifying drugs helped stabilize Walker's symptoms. Though MS still impacts his abilities, fan support helps inspire him to continue touring and recording new music decades later.

Richard Pryor

Legendary comedian Richard Pryor brought his fearless observational humor to comedy albums, movies, and television. But behind the scenes, he battled MS for decades before finally publicly confirming he had the condition in 1998.

MS symptoms plagued the latter stages of Pryor's barrier-breaking career. Though he continued performing when possible, more health issues compounded making it difficult. He passed away from a heart attack in 2005 at age 65.

Cathy Rush

In the 1970s, basketball coach Cathy Rush built Immaculata College into a women's basketball powerhouse winning several championships. Her teams even played exhibition games against men's teams.

But in 1978 at only 30 years old, Rush was diagnosed with MS soon after delivering her daughter. She stopped coaching in 1982 as the condition worsened, but continued raising MS awareness for decades after during speaking engagements.

Joyce Bulifant

Actress Joyce Bulifant became a recognizable face in the 1960s and 70s co-starring on hit shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Airplane! Continued issues with memory loss led to an MS diagnosis in the mid-90s.

She managed symptoms and worked occasionally over 20 more years until the MS progressed enough that she moved into assisted living. Now nearly 80 years old, Bulifant continues using social media to advocate around her lifelong condition.

Tamia Hill

R&B singer Tamia Hill released several successful albums over 20+ year career and is married to NBA All-Star Grant Hill. But in 2003 at the height of her musical success, she was diagnosed with MS following hospitalization for fatigue and migraines.

Tamia continues managing her symptoms while expanding her musical catalog and raising her family. Involved in multiple MS charities, she uses her celebrity to inspire others that the condition does not have to stop them from thriving.

Neil Cavuto

A widely respected news anchor and commentator, Neil Cavuto has worked for Fox News and Fox Business for over 20 years. He first noticed MS symptoms while covering the 1984 presidential election and was diagnosed at only 22 years old.

The condition has progressed causing slurred speech and paralysis issues over the decades. But Cavuto has admirably continued working long days on television while using medical equipment to stand and breathe easier.

Living Well Despite MS Diagnosis

MS symptoms manifest differently in every patient, ranging from barely noticeable to full disability. There is also no way to reliably predict how fast the condition will progress.

This uncertainty and feeling of helplessness can negatively impact mental health. But perspective and support is important.

Even with MS, many can still live full, mostly unhindered lives for decades with treatment. Those in the public eye like the celebrities on this list also play a vital role as inspirational success stories.

Their stories prove an MS diagnosis does not mean giving up on your dreams. The condition can be managed while finding a renewed sense of purpose through advocacy and elevating others who face the same struggles.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.