14 Famous People with Parkinson's Disease

The condition known as Parkinson's disease impacts the neurologic system in a significant proportion of those suffering. The signs of Parkinson's disease are likely to get worse as time passes. It could be a long period where symptoms, like an increase in tremors and a slowing of movements, are evident. Ultimately, the illness's seriousness is visible. Celebrities, politicians, and other public figures have been vocal about their struggles with Parkinson's disease.

1. Mr. Michael J. Fox

Fox actor, who starred in the iconic "Back to the Future," has been diagnosed with Parkinson's and was given an estimated 10-year prognosis by doctors. It was 1991 when Fox was 30 years old, meaning it's been a long. Fox kept his illness under wraps for years, playing various characters to fill the time he believed he was gone. However, by 1998 Fox had accepted the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and had publicly acknowledged the condition.

2. Muhammad Ali

Ali, the Louisville, Kentucky native, maybe a world-class boxer known for his sarcastic comments and quick punches, but he eventually was defeated by Parkinson's disease. After his final bout on the boxing scene in 1981, Ali was forced to quit boxing. A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease occurred just three years after. Doctors believed that he sustained brain damage due to many years of boxing.

3. Ms. Janet Reno

In her time as Attorney General, the first woman Attorney General was tasked with many challenging assignments like the hunt for the Unabomber and the successful conclusion of the 51-day siege by the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas. After eight years as Attorney General, she began to experience odd symptoms.

4. Charles M. Schulz

The artist's name and face might have yet to be discovered; however, his work is widely admired. Schulz is the one who was responsible for the development of the famous "Peanuts" comic strip, which includes characters such as Charlie Brown, Lucy van Pelt, Snoopy, Schroeder as well as Linus van Pelt. The first signs that Parkinson's disease was causing in Schulz were evident for nearly a decade before it was diagnosed during the late 1990s.

5. Linda Ronstadt

Award-winning Grammy performer. Some of the songs Linda Ronstadt wrote and performed throughout her professional career are "You're not good enough" along with "Don't know much," the latter of which she sang along with Aaron Neville. In the mid-'60s, when folk music was at the peak of its popularity, she started performing in the music industry. She released 30 studio albums and fifteen compilations of some of her greatest songs until her retirement in 2011.

6. Johnny Isakson

U.S. Senator from Georgia and a veteran for three years, Johnny Isakson, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013. The southern Republican announced the diagnosis in 2015, just one year before another run for reelection.

7. Billy Graham

Billy Graham is a Christian preacher, evangelist, and writer, perhaps famous for his huge-scale events, radio lectures, and television appearances. The spiritual advisor from North Carolina has worked with presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon.

8. Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne, who used to lead the band Black Sabbath, told GMA's Robin Roberts in a personal interview that he has Parkinson's disease. After having several health problems, Osbourne said in February 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's. But the condition is not severe, and Sharon, like his wife, said, "It's not a death sentence by any means."

9. Alan Alda

The Oscar-winning actor announced his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease on The July episode on CBS This Morning. Since then, he's found that regular exercise can help to maintain a positive outlook on life. He admitted to Today in the year 2019 that he engages in "a variety of odd things" as "you can slow down the progression of the disease when you engage in a variety of specific exercises." Tennis, juggling, boxing, swimming, marching, and bicycling are part of the Marriage Stories actor's "wild activities."

10. Neil Diamond

Singer Neil Diamond, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, announced the end of his performance on the 22nd of January, 2018. The announcement came at a time when Diamond was performing in the middle of the 50th Anniversary tour and was forced to cancel scheduled concerts at venues in Australia in addition to New Zealand. Diamond announced his site, "It is with great regret and discontent the time to inform you of my departure from traveling for concerts. It's been a great honor to entertain people for the last half-century.”

11. Brian Grant

Over his twelve years in the NBA, Brian Grant suited up for the Sacramento Kings, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns. As a player in the NBA, he made a name for himself with his upbeat demeanor and dedication to the team. He is dedicated to the team's success. Furthermore, he assisted troubled youth. In an interview given to ESPN in January 2009, he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease. After retiring from professional sports in 2008, this happened. The Brian Grant Foundation was established soon after. Foundation Brian Grant supports and encourages those with Parkinson's disease to exercise.

12. Bob Hoskins

In 2012, British actor Bob Hoskins said he was leaving the business because he had Parkinson's disease. He is known for his part in the award-winning movie The Long Good Friday (1982) and his voiceover work in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). He didn't want to talk about the details of his situation, but he said this in an interview with Saga Magazine: "My goal is to put an end to my work and retire. But I still don't know how to do it right." When he retired, he said he would spend his time getting healthier.

13. Freddie Roach

Franklin "Freddie" Roach used to be a pro boxer and now works as a trainer. In an episode of Real Sports on HBO, Bryant Gumbel made a documentary about him and how he worked as a trainer even though he had Parkinson's disease. Roach continued to coach famous athletes at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 20 years ago. His past clients include Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao, Mark Wahlberg, and Georges St. Pierre.

14. Ben Petrick

Ben Petrick's lifelong dream was to be a great catcher for the Colorado Rockies. In 2000, at age 22, he was told he had Parkinson's disease. Before that, he had played 240 games for his Major League team. In 2004, he quit being a baseball player.

He's published a "Forty Thousand to One" book since then. As the number of new cases of Parkinson's disease in the United States approaches 40,000 annually, this statistic is the inspiration for the title. It's about his career in the MLB and his struggle with Parkinson's illness. Petrick discussed his father's battle with Parkinson's disease in an interview with ESPN, noting that his dad maintained a good outlook.

Conclusion

The stiffness, tremors, and balance problems are all common manifestations of Parkinson's illness. Patients may experience confusion, memory loss, or even degenerative dementia as the condition worsens. One million Americans suffer from the fatal disease, and another 60,000 are diagnosed yearly.