Famous People Whose Names Start With S and Have Parkinson's Disease

Famous People Whose Names Start With S and Have Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. Parkinson's disease is caused by nerve cell damage in the brain, leading to a dopamine deficiency. Over time, symptoms worsen as more nerve cells are damaged and die. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications and therapies can provide relief from symptoms.

Parkinson's disease can affect anyone, including famous people. Several well-known people with names starting with the letter S have been diagnosed with this condition. Here is some information about these famous people living with Parkinson's disease.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer and activist. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century. In 1984, at age 42, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He experienced tremors and speech problems for years before the official diagnosis. However, he did not let the disease stop him from making public appearances. Ali raised awareness of Parkinson's and advocated for research into causes and treatments until he died in 2016.

Johnny Isakson

Johnny Isakson is an American politician and businessman who served as a United States Senator from Georgia from 2005 to 2019. In 2015, at age 70, Isakson announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He experienced symptoms including difficulty balancing and falls. As a senator, Isakson continued to work despite his diagnosis. He advocated for more research funding to better understand Parkinson's and find a cure. Isakson retired from the Senate in 2019 due to declining health from Parkinson's.

Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly is a Scottish comedian, musician and actor. He initially rose to fame in the 1970s as a stand-up comedian. Connolly has since established a successful career spanning comedy, television and film. In 2013, at age 70, he announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer. Connolly began to experience symptoms including hand tremors and balance issues while filming a movie in 2012. He underwent surgery for prostate cancer and continues to battle Parkinson's. Connolly has cut back his work schedule but still performs live comedy shows.

Bob Hoskins

Bob Hoskins was an English actor who appeared in TV shows, stage productions and over 60 films. His best known roles included gangster Harold Shand in The Long Good Friday and private investigator Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In 2012, at age 69, Hoskins announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years earlier. He retired from acting that same year after being unable to work on the drama series EastEnders due to Parkinson's symptoms. Hoskins died from pneumonia in 2014 at age 71.

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox is a Canadian-American actor, author and activist. He is best known for his starring roles in the Back to the Future trilogy and the sitcom Family Ties. In 1991, at age 29, Fox was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. He kept his diagnosis private for several years before going public in 1998. Fox experienced tremors and other motor function issues that eventually led him to semi-retire from acting. He launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation to fund Parkinson's research and has written several books about his life with the disease.

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne is an English musician who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. He later had a successful solo career and became known as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal." In 2019, at age 70, Osbourne publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Osbourne first noticed symptoms including numbness and tremors during a concert tour in 2018. He now manages his Parkinson's with medication but continues to deal with mobility issues. Osbourne hopes speaking out will raise awareness.

Alan Alda

Alan Alda is an American actor best known for portraying Captain Hawkeye Pierce in the TV series M*A*S*H throughout its 1972-1983 run. He has also appeared in many other television shows and films. In 2015, at age 79, Alda publicly revealed he had been living with Parkinson's disease for three years. He first noticed a tremor in his thumb which eventually spread to his whole hand. Alda says he wants to help erase the stigma around Parkinson's by being open about his battle with it.

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond is an American singer-songwriter who has sold over 100 million records worldwide. He is known for his pop music and soft rock songs like "Sweet Caroline" and "Cracklin' Rosie." In January 2018, Diamond announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and would retire from touring. At age 76 when diagnosed, he had difficulty with hand movements while playing guitar and traveling for concerts had become too challenging. Diamond said he plans to continue writing and recording music despite Parkinson's.

Salvador Dal

Salvador Dal was a Spanish surrealist artist best known for his melting clock paintings. In 1980, at age 76, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Dal's wife and nurse had noticed tremors in his hands which became more severe over time. His condition worsened through the 1980s, severely limiting his ability to paint. Dal died of heart failure at age 84 in 1989 after experiencing depression and hallucinations related to his Parkinson's.

Maurice White

Maurice White was an American musician, best known as founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. The group was one of the most popular funk and R&B acts of the 1970s. In 1992, at age 50, White announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years earlier. His symptoms began subtly with foot drop caused by nerve damage. The disease progressed quickly over the years, leaving White unable to play drums. He continued to write music and do some singing until his death in 2016 at age 74.

Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt is an American singer who found success in the 1970s with hits like "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved." She recorded albums across multiple genres including rock, country, light opera and Latin. In 2012, at age 66, Ronstadt revealed her Parkinson's diagnosis publicly. She began experiencing classic disease symptoms including tremors and trouble walking in the late 2000s. Ronstadt says she can no longer sing due to the loss of muscular control from Parkinson's.

Brian Grant

Brian Grant is a retired American professional basketball player who played for several NBA teams from 1994 to 2006. In 2008, at age 36, Grant announced he had been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. He first noticed symptoms including a hand tremor and cramping during his final NBA seasons. Grant likely developed young-onset Parkinson's due to head trauma from years of basketball play. He now campaigns to raise awareness of Parkinson's and funds for the Brian Grant Foundation.

Steven Ford

Steven Ford is the youngest son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford. He is known for his work as an actor, appearing in films like When Harry Met Sally and TV shows including The Young and the Restless. In 1991, at age 38, Ford began noticing tremors and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He became a patient advocate for Parkinson's research and chaired a gala fundraiser in 1999. Ford serves as an honorary board member for organizations supporting Parkinson's patients and research.

Living With Parkinson's Disease

The famous names on this list represent people from many backgrounds who have battled Parkinson's disease in the public eye. Their openness about living with Parkinson's has helped raise awareness of this condition and funds for research. While the disease can be progressive and debilitating, there are treatment options to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Increased advocacy and research funding gives hope for those fighting Parkinson's today and future generations.

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.