The world's most famous people with disabilities
(Note: Information gathered on this page is from an elaborate Internet search originally started on 12/19/2003. There may be some argument as to the validity of some of the information listed. It is the reader's choice to formulate his or her own conclusions based on available facts. Any additions or revisions to this list are gratefully welcome by our Webmaster.)
Albert Einstein
The Mathematician/Physicist who had a learning disability and did not speak until age 3. He is rumored to have had a very difficult time doing math in school and reportedly had had a very difficult time expressing himself through writing.
Alexander Graham Bell
Had a learning disability.
Christopher Reeve
Never has a person with a disability commanded so much media attention in recent history. Christopher Reeve, unable to walk after a horse-riding injury, dedicated the rest of his life to help others stand confident. He strove to harness the power of medical research to get up & ride again.
David Blunkett
David Blunkett is without doubt Britain's most famous guide dog owner. Often photographed with his guide dogs - Ted, Offa and Lucy - David Blunkett also holds the powerful political post of Home Secretary. Joining the Labour party at the age of 16, he was elected to Sheffield City Council 6 years later. He was the council leader from 1980 to 1987. He is in many senses a traditional man – and blunt-talker. 
Thomas Edison
Edison is reported to have had a learning disability. He couldn't read until he was twelve years old and had a very difficult time writing even when he was older.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Roosevelt is believed to have had Polio. He was governor of New York State then elected President of the United States for 4 terms.
George Washington
The first U.S. President is believed to have had a learning disability. He could barely write and had very poor grammar skills.
Francisco Goya
Spanish painter (1746 to 1828): At age 46, an illness left him deaf. He went on to create the most famous Spanish art of the 19th century.
Helen Keller
She was a person with blindness, deafness, and was unable to speak.
Ian Dury
Limited movement/walking ability, resulting from polio. He had musical hits from 1978 ("Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick") into 1980's.
Itzhak Perlman
Disability: Contracted polio at age 4, both legs paralyzed as a result.
Famous violinist. He walks with crutches and performs seated. Perlman actively promotes building and transportation accessibility laws. This Israeli violinist is well-known for the technical mastery he has of the violin.
John Milton
English Author/poet (1608 to 1674): He lost his sight at age 43. He went on to create his most famous epic, "Paradise Lost".
Lord Byron
Disability: Born with talipes, a club foot. It is said that he "walked with difficulty but wandered at will".
Obtained fame as a British poet. His name is still used as an adjective – 'Byronic', meaning dashing.
Lord Nelson
Viscount Horatio Nelson is certainly Britain's greatest naval hero. His skill as a naval commander is, of course, well-documented. What is less often remarked upon is that a great part of his naval career and his major victories were won as a person with a disability. Going ashore in Corsica following the fall of Toulon, a French shot flung debris into his face leaving him without sight in his right eye.
Later, an assault on Tenerife resulted in a shattered right elbow - back on his flagship the arm was amputated. He carried on as a "disabled" seaman for nearly ten years, securing his most important naval victories at the Battle of the Nile and the infamous Battle of Trafalgar – where he died on October 21, 1805.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Disability: Acquired Deafness near the age of 45.
World renowned pianist and composer from the early 19th Century.
Marla Runyan
Disability: Vision loss due to Stargardt Disease.
This athlete represented the Unites States in the 1500 meter track event at the 2000 Olympics. She finished in eighth position, 3.20 seconds behind the gold medal winner. In 1996, Marla set several track and field records at the Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
Following that success, Marla competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where she became the first legally blind athlete to compete in an Olympics.
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin is a stand-up comedian and an actress. In 1987, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in "Children of a Lesser God". Marlee Matlin lost her hearing during infancy due to Roseola infantum.
Michael Bolton
Disability: Deafness in one ear
Famous pop-singer from the 1980's, famous for his ballads
Robin Williams
This Hollywood Star was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a child. He never refuses a role related to medicine - "Awakenings" and "Patch Adams" are two examples.
Sarah Bernhardt
French actress (1844-1923) Having acquired a knee injury, her leg was amputated in 1914. She continued starring on stage until just before her death. She is regarded as France's greatest actress, also know as "The Divine Sarah".
Sudha Chandran
Famed Indian actress and classical dancer, who dances with a Jaipur foot. She has acted in a movie on classical dance called "Nache Mayuri" and today acts in a variety of TV serials.
Tanni Grey-Thompson
This athlete is instantly recognized by most people. Formerly Tanni Grey - the Thompson was added following her marriage in 1999 – she has competed in Paralympic Games since 1988, representing Britain at distances ranging from 100 meters to 800 meters. She has won fourteen paralympic medals including nine golds, and has broken over twenty world records. As a wheelchair athlete she was also the winner of five London marathons – in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2001. In recent years, she has established herself as a TV presenter.
Woodrow Wilson
U.S. President from 1913-1921. Had a learning disability – he was severely dyslexic.
Recording Artists
Pop Music
Here's something that might raise your eyebrow with surprise. There are quite a few celebrities with disabilities who have left their footnote in the world of music. Recognize any of them here?
Cher
Disability: Dyslexia
Performed as part of the Sonny & Cher musical duo. Recorded chart-topping hits from the 1960s ("Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves") to late 1990's ("Believe").
Jason Donovan
Disability: Asthma
Had several hits in late 1980's and early 1990's. Also appeared for a time in soap-opera "Neighbors", and in stage musical "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Ian Dury
Disability: Limited movement/walking resulting from polio
Hits from 1978 ("Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick") into 1980's.
Barry Gibb
Disability: Arthritis
Member of pop-disco band the Bee Gees.
Liza Minelli
Disability: Asthma
Hits include "So Sorry I Said" and "Don't Drop Bombs".
Mike Nolan
Disability: Epilepsy
Singer in musical group – Buck's Fizz. Buck's Fizz had several hits in early 1980's, and won a Eurovision song contest in 1991 with "Making Your Mind Up".
Merrill Osmond
Disability: Diabetes
Performed as one of The Osmonds, early 1970's pop band.
Carly Simon
Disabilities: Stuttering and Breast Cancer
Famous for the 1970's and 1980's hits: "Nobody Does It Better" (theme from James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me") and "Why (Does Your Love Hurt So Much)."
Toyah Willcox
Disability: Arthritis
Had several hits in early 1980's as "Toyah", including – "Thunder in the Mountains."
Mari Wilson
Disability: Diabetes
Famous for the 1980's hits - "Just What I Always Wanted" and "Wonderful."
Blues & Jazz
Ray Charles
Disability: Blind since childhood.
Famous for his hits in the 1950's & 1960's, including "Hit the Road Jack."
Peggy Lee
Disability: Diabetes
Had several hits between the 1940's and the 1970's; one of her most famous being "Fever."
George Shearing
Disability: Blind from birth
Country & Western
Mark Herndon
Disability: Partially deaf
Drummer for the group Alabama, gaining fame in the early 1980's. Most recent hit single was "How Do You Fall in Love."
Folk music
Judy Collins
Disability: Asthma
Hits include "Send in the Clowns" and "Turn, Turn, Turn" during the 1970's.
Radio
Harry Secombe
Disability: Diabetes
Radio star of the comedy series "The Goons". Famous for the 1960's hit - "If I Ruled the World."
Classical
Ludwig von Beethoven
Disability: Deaf & Asthma
Most noted for his Fifth Symphony. A disco version of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony gained popularity in the 1970's box office hit sound track, "Saturday Night Fever."
Motown
Stevie Wonder
Disability: Blind since birth
Had numerous hits between the 1960's and 1980's.
Mary Wells
Disability: Muscular Dystrophy as a teenager and Throat Cancer in her later years of life.
Worked and recorded music, even after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Started in the Supremes. Solo hits include "My Guy" and "You Beat Me to the Punch."
Soul & Dance
Kenny G
Disability: Asthma
Hits include "Hi, How Ya Doin'" in the 1980's. Played saxophone on several 1980's funk records. Collaborated with soul singer Kashif (hits include "Lover Turn Me On") in 1980's.
Gabrielle
Disability: Weakness in her eyelid
Hits from mid-1990s (including "Dreams") to late 1990's. Also sang on East 17's "If You Ever."
Michael Jackson
Disabilities: Skin pigment disorder and Migraine headaches.
Started recording at a very young age as lead singer in The Jackson Five. Many hits from 1960's to the present day. His music continues to be popular among young people throughout the world.
Curtis Mayfield
Disability: Paralysis from the neck down, following a stage accident in 1990.
Had several hits in 1960's and 1970's, including the Northern Soul classic "Move on Up". Since the accident in 1990, he has released the album New World Order – which he recorded one line at a time.
Teddy Pendergrass
Disabilities: Quadriplegia & speech impairment resulting from a 1981 automobile accident.
Was a member of The Blue Notes (Harold Melvin's backing group). Also had several solo hits in late 1970's, like "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me". Hits since his accident have included the 1987 "Joy."
Scat
Scatman John (John Larkin)
Disability: Stuttering
Hits in mid 1990's, include "Scatman" and "Scatman's World."
Reggae
Ali Campbell
Disability: Vision loss in one eye resulting from trauma.
Famous singer in the band – UB40
Heavy Metal
Rick Allen
Disability: Amputation of arm
Famous drummer in the band – Def Leppard. The sudden loss of an arm did not stop his career as a drummer! He rearranged his drum kit to compensate and continued as the band's drummer.
Alice Cooper
Disability: Asthma
Had numerous hits in 1970's and 1980's, including "Poison."
Tony Iommi
Disability: Amputation of 2 fingers
Continued his career by creating 2 plastic "fingers" designed to assist him in playing the guitar. Gained fame as the guitar player in Heavy Metal band – Black Sabbath.
Ozzy Osbourne
Disability: Dyslexia
Sang as lead vocals in the band - Black Sabbath and had several solo hits, including "Bark at the Moon."
Rock
Ian Curtis
Disability: Epilepsy
Sang for Joy Division, with such hits as "Love Will Tear Us Apart."
Richard Jobson
Disability: Epilepsy
Singer with The Skids, who had a few hits in the early 1980's including "Into The Valley" and "Working For The Yankee Dollar."
Freddie Mercury
Disability: AIDS
Lead singer of the band – Queen, as well as solo-artist. Continued recording and performing for many months after being diagnosed with AIDS.
Neil Young
Disability: Epilepsy
A 1970's progressive rock musician and member of band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Paul Stanley
Lead singer of the band KISS, was born with Microtia (a congenital deformity of the pinna/outer ear). He is deaf in his right ear.
Science & Technology
Many people see people with disabilities as being on the receiving end of technological developments, such as medical cures and treatments, or inventions such as electronic wheelchairs or MiniComs for people with deafness.
Far fewer people are aware that a number of scientists with disabilities have themselves contributed greatly to our understanding of science, and have been responsible for inventions which have enriched the lives of millions of people, both with and without disabilities. A few of them are mentioned here...
Alexander Graham Bell
Disability: Learning disability
Invented the telephone. Ironically, he is not popular with some in the deaf community following his alleged remarks that deaf people should be sterilized, as a form of eugenics. We say alleged, there is some controversy as to whether he made these comments. But, even so, the fact that Bell invented the telephone proves that people with learning disabilities can still contribute enormously to society.
Thomas Alva Edison
Disabilities: Slight deafness, learning disability (did not learn to read until the age of 12), and Diabetes
Invented the electric light, the record player, and the cinematic camera. Significantly, due to his learning disability, his writing skills remained "poor" throughout his life. Edison discovered the record player almost by accident, while working on telephone technology.
Albert Einstein
Disability: Popular belief is that he was a person with Dyslexia.
A brilliant atomic physicist, probably most famous for his Theory of Relativity.
Henry Ford
Disability: Dyslexia
Invented the motor car.
Stephen Hawking
Disability: Motor neuron disease.
Using a motorized wheelchair and a computerized speech-synthesizer, he moves about and communicates independently. Hawking is probably one of the greatest astronomical physicists of modern times, having developed several theories about the nature and origins of our universe.
One of them, as outlined in his book "Black Holes and Baby Universes", suggests that each black hole contains another universe of similar size to our own. And that our universe is formed from a black hole in another universe. His is the first theory which does not require a belief in the concept of "Creation."
Isaac Newton
Disabilities: Stuttering and Epilepsy
Discovered gravity and made significant contributions in the field of mathematics.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Disability: Dyslexia
An outstanding artist and inventor, famous for his design of the bicycle.
Mathematicians
Contributions in mathematics have made a multitude of scientific discoveries possible to achieve.
Pythagoras
Disability: Epilepsy
Most famous is his theory for working out the length of sides on a right-angled triangle; namely: "The square on the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides."
Less well-known is Pythagoras' second theory, which can be used for a non-right angled triangle. This has many uses, including triangulation (which also has many uses, one of which includes tracking down pirate radio stations).
Actors
Dirk Benedict
Disabilities: possible Arthritis; diagnosed with a prostate tumor in 1975.
Was famous as Templeton Peck ("The Face") in television's "The A-Team", and Lieutenant Starbuck in "Battlestar Galactica."
Tom Cruise
Disability: Dyslexia (Rumors have it that he is still unable to read today.)
Starred in many films, including "Top Gun", "Born on the 4th of July", "Rain Man", "Mission Impossible", and "Vanilla Sky". Both "Born on the 4th of July" and "Rain Man" dealt with disability issues in a positive way.
Dana Elcar
Disability: Blindness due to Glaucoma
Starred in the late 1980's action TV show "MacGyver", about a hero who was good at improvising. He started becoming blind during filming of 4th series, but stayed in the program until the end (3 series later).
Lou Ferrigno
Disability: 60% deaf, resulting from infections during childhood.
Starred as the Incredible Hulk in the 1970's TV series.
Danny Glover
Disability: Epilepsy
Starred in the box office hit "Lethal Weapon" series.
Bob Hope
Disability: Asthma
Actor and comedian, gaining fame from the 1930's on into the new millennium.
Marilyn Munroe
Disability: Stuttering
Film star and general "sex symbol" of the 1950's and early 1960's. She starred in a number of films, including "How To Marry A Millionaire."
Christopher Reeve
Disability: Paralysis from the waist down following a horse riding accident. Advocate of stem cell research. Famous for his lead role in the Superman films.
Elizabeth Taylor
Disability: Asthma
Made her first film appearance in 1942, at the age of 10, in "There's One Born Every Minute". She has starred in numerous films from the 1940's on, including "Jane Eyre" and "Lassie Come Home."
John Thaw
Disability: Walks with slight limp, resulting from accident at the age of 15.
Has starred in the TV series "The Sweeney and Inspector Morse", and has appeared in several films.
Bruce Willis
Disability: Stuttering
Starred in a number of films, including the "Die Hard" series.
Other Film and TV Celebrities
Walt Disney
Disability: Dyslexia
Created many cartoon films, including "Fantasia" and "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs". His first film was the Mickey Mouse cartoon – "Plane Crazy."
James Earl Jones
Disability: Stuttering
Played the voice of Darth Vader in the movie "Star Wars"; played role as Shakespeare's Othello; appeared in the movie "Conan the Barbarian"; and portrayed a stutterer in the movie "A Family Thing."
In his autobiography "Voice and Silences", Jones wrote that he was "virtually mute" as a child.
Martin Scorsese
Disability: Asthma
Famed film director.
Quentin Tarantino
Disability: Dyslexia
Film director. Directed the films "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs."
Hans Christian Andersen
Disability: Dyslexia
Famous Danish author and story-teller, whose works - especially popular with children - include "The Ugly Duckling", "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Snow Queen", and "The Red Shoes."
Colin Dexter
Disability: Diabetes
Author of "Inspector Morse" (as later adapted for TV).
Charles Dickens
Disability: Possible Epilepsy
Famous Victorian writer, whose books include "Oliver Twist", "Great Expectations", and "The Pickwick Papers."
H.G. Wells
Disability: Diabetes
Science fiction writer, most famous for "War of the Worlds" and "The Time Machine." Founding member of the British Diabetic Association (now named Diabetes UK). Known to have been a founding member of the National Council for Civil Liberties (now named Liberty).
Authors
There are, of course, many less-famous authors with disabilities. Some have gained fame in different areas in addition to having authored books.
Stuart Henry
This radio DJ wrote the book "Pirate Radio – Then and Now" in the late 1980's.
Stephen Hawking
This famous astronomical physicist has written many books, including "A Brief History of Time" and "Black Holes and Baby Universes."
Radio
Below is a list of several DJs – some famous, and some best known among fans of pirate (and other) radio - all are people with disabilities.
Chicken George
Disability: Partially sighted
African American pirate radio and club DJ in Birmingham throughout the 1980's and into the early 1990's. Started on Birmingham pirate station PCRL, and in the late 1980's he was heard on a number of Birmingham pirate stations; notably Enterprize FM, Power FM and Laser FM.
Alan Freeman
Disability: Arthritis
Started as a DJ on Radio Luxembourg in the 1950's and is most famous for BBC Radio 1 program Pick of the Pops (now on Radio 2 on Saturday afternoons).
Stuart Henry
Disability: Multiple Sclerosis and consequently uses a wheelchair for mobility.
Started his broadcasting career on the offshore pirate radio stations of the 1960's, notably Radio Scotland. Was a DJ on BBC Radio 1 in the early 1970's, until he started to develop Multiple Sclerosis. From the late 1970's until well into the 1980's, he was on Radio Luxembourg 208 – during which time his broadcasts regularly made efforts to increase people's awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.
James Whale
Disability: Dyslexia
Started in the late 1980's on Leeds-based ILR Radio Aire. His radio show was later networked across many ILR stations, and became a TV show also. In the early 1990's, James Whale was also on Atlantic 252 for a time.
Steve Wright
Disability: Asthma
Most famous for his "Steve Wright In The Afternoon" show on BBC Radio 1 in the 1980's. Also made a few records, including "Arnee & The Terminator's - I'll Be Back." Now moved to BBC Radio 2.
Athletes
There are many athletes with disabilities and some have won awards in the Paralympics and other competitions. Less well known is the fact that some famous mainstream sports celebrities have disabilities. Some examples are listed below...
Chris Boardman
Disability: Asthma
Famous cyclist.
Tony Grieg
Disability: Epilepsy
Cricketer
Eddie Irvine
Disability: Slipped disc
Formula-1 race car driver
Gary Mabbutt
Disability: Diabetes
Coccer player for Tottenham Hotspur. Played for England in a World Cup game.
Jonty Rhodes
Disability: Epilepsy
Plays cricket for South Africa.
Steve Redgrave
Disability: Diabetes
Olympic rower, part of the team which won a gold medal for the UK in the 2000 Sydney Olympic games.
Ken Venturi
Disability: Stuttering
Golfer (winner of 1961 U.S. Open).
Politicians & Civil Rights Activists
David Blunkett
Disability: Blindness
Education Secretary of the UK.
Winston Churchill
Disability: Dyslexia
Was Prime Minister of the UK during World War II.
Ken Coates
Disabilities: Slight deafness and Diabetes
Currently a prominent member of the North Derbyshire Socialist Alliance. Was involved in the anti-Balkan War campaign, against the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.
William Cuffey
Disability: Slight walking impairment
One of the leaders of the Chartist movement of the early 19th century, the first working-class political movement in the UK.
Antonio Gramsci
Disability: spinal deformity, often regarded as "hunch back."
Italian revolutionary socialist.
Judy Heumann
Disability: Contracted polio at the age of 18 months.
Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Heumann was among those who pioneered modern legislation recognizing that the U.S. Constitution guarantees equality of access and opportunity to persons with disabilities.
In 1974, she helped develop legislation that became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. She also helped draft the Americans with Disabilities Act, helped develop regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and helped design federal and state legislation that led to the creation of more than 200 independent living centers nationwide.
Che Guevara
Disability: Asthma
Left-wing revolutionary and a leading figure in the Cuban Revolution. Also involved in revolutionary activities in several Latin American countries and even Africa. His books and left-wing political beliefs have inspired many modern-day revolutionaries.
David Icke
Disability: Arthritis
Ecologist and a leading member of the Green Party from the late 1980's until the early 1990's.
Rosa Luxembourg
Disability: Walks with a slight limp.
German revolutionary socialist.
Peter The Great
Disability: Asthma
Russian Czar who lived from 1672 to 1725 A.D.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Disability: Movement-related disabilities, resulting from Polio.
This well-known historical figure served 3 U.S. Presidential terms. Ironically, he kept his disability, largely, a secret. He feared that if it became public knowledge, it would endanger his position as President.
Pat Stack
Disability: Limited mobility (uses a wheelchair) resulting from Thalidomide pregnancy.
A left-wing revolutionary and member of the Socialist Workers Party's organizing committee. Unlike Roosevelt, Pat Stack does not keep his disability hidden.
Dorothea Lange
Disability: Walked with a limp due to contracting Polio at age 7.
Photographer. Her insightful and compassionate photographs have exerted a profound influence on the development of modern documentary photography.
The true impact of her work was not felt until 1972, when the Whitney Museum incorporated twenty-seven of her photographs into Executive Order 9066, an exhibit about the Japanese internment. New York Times critic A.D. Coleman called Lange's photographs "documents of such a high order that they convey the feelings of the victims as well as the facts of the crime."
Heroes of the Armed Forces
Douglas Bader
Disability: lost both legs in 1931
World War II hero.
United States General George Patton
Disability: Dyslexia
World War II hero.
Here are more Famous People with Disabilities
Milton
English author and poet (1608 to 1674): He became blind at age 43. He went on to create his most famous epic, "Paradise Lost."
Nelson Rockefeller
Former Vice President of the United States: had a learning disability: Dyslexia.
Harriett Tubman
Abolitionist (1830 to 1913): As a child she was struck by an overseer. The blow fractured her skull and resulted in narcolepsy for the rest of her life. She rescued hundreds of slaves on the underground railroad.
Werner Von Braun
Had a learning disability and often flunked his math tests in high school.
George Washington
First American President and had a learning disability. He could barely write and had very poor grammar skills.
Woodrow Wilson
U.S. President from 1913 to 1921. Had a learning disability (severe Dyslexia).
Famous people with learning disabilities
- Cher – singer and actress
- Tom Cruise – actor
- Whoopi Goldberg – actress and comedian
- Greg Louganis – Olympic swimmer
- Bruce Jenner – Olympic Athlete and Sportscaster
- H.G. Wells – author
Famous people with Epilepsy
Hugo Wallace Weaving
Nigerian–born (1960) film, stage, and voice actor.
Vincent van Gogh
(1853 to 1890)
This Famous artist is rumored to have been running after his friends with an open razor, when he accidentally cut his own ear lobe off. He eventually shot himself for what he believed was "for the good of all", leaving behind all his colorful paintings.
Sir Isaac Newton
(1643 to 1727)
Credited with being the scientist who founded the three laws of motion along. Believed to have discovered gravity by examining a falling apple.
Neil Young
This Canadian-born (1945) musician and environmentalist. Regarded by many to be one of the greatest guitarists of his time. In addition to Epilepsy, he is a person with Polio and Diabetes.
Napoleon Bonaparte
(1769 to 1821)
Italian-born General and French emperor.
Agatha Christie (Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa, Lady Mallowan)
(1890 to 1976)
English crime fiction writer and romance novelist under the name Mary Westmacott. Best remembered for her 80 detective novels and her successful West End theatre plays.
Charles Dickens (Charles John Huffam Dickens)
(1812 to 1870)
English novelist of the Victorian era, as well as a vigorous social campaigner, who wrote under the pen-name of "Boz."
Alexander the Great
(356 to 323 B.C.)
Also known as Alexander III, this Ancient Greek king of Macedon is rumored to have died as a result of malaria, poisoning, typhoid fever, viral encephalitis or the consequences of alcoholism. During this time, Epilepsy was known as "the sacred disease" because of the belief that those who had seizures were possessed by evil spirits or touched by the gods and should be treated by invoking mystical powers.
Danny Glover
(1947)
This American actor and star of the movies, "Lethal Weapon" and "Predator 2", was labeled as "retarded" during his youth by school staff.
Alfred Bernhard Nobel
(1833 to 1896)
Italian-born Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, armaments manufacturer and the inventor of dynamite. By the time of his death, he held more than 350 patents and controlled factories and laboratories in 20 countries.
Michelangelo
(1475 to 1564)
The sculptor of many of the most renowned sculptures of all times.
Leonardo Da Vinci
(1452 to 1519)
Responsible for some of the greatest religious paintings in history, Da Vinci excelled not only in painting, but in numerous other disciplines as well. He was a architect, botanist, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, and writer. His paintings include the "Mona Lisa" and "the Last Supper of Jesus Christ."
Julius Caesar
(100 to 44 B.C.)
This Roman emporer is regarded as one of the most influential men in world history.
Edgar Allen Poe
(1809 to 1849)
This author and literary critic during the Romantic Movement, is best known for his macabre and mysteries. Inventor of the Detective-Fiction genre an is believed by many to have had mental illness and drug abuse.
Aristotle
(384 to 322 B.C.)
This Greek philosopher who wrote about many different subjects including zoology, biology, ethics, government, politics, physics, metaphysics, music, poetry and theater. He was also a great teacher for Alexander the Great. Aristotle was one of the first to point out that epilepsy and genius were often closely connected. He found that the seizure disorders may have the ability to increase brain activity in specific places and maybe also enhance a persons natural abilities to a certain extent.
Theodore Roosevelt
(1858 to 1919)
A soldier, historian, explorer, naturalist, author, and Governor of New York, and the 26th President of the U.S. Also had poor eye-sight and asthma.
Alfred the Great
(circa 849 to 899)
King of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899.
Bud Abbott
(1895 to 1974)
American producer, comedian and actor. Also reported to have alcoholism. Died of cancer soon after having had two consecutive strokes.
Lewis Carrol
(1832 to 1898)
An English author, photographer, mathematician, Anglican clergyman and logician. Wrote several books describing minor epilepsy attacks in quite detail.
Richard Burton
(1925 to 1984)
Once the highest paid actor in Hollywood and well known for his distinctive voice. Also reported to have alcoholism and manic depression.
George Frederick Handel
(1685 to 1759)
German-born Baroque composer who is famous for his operas, oratorios and concerti grossi.
Charles V of Spain
(1500 to 1558)
He ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 until his abdication in 1556 and led the Spanish realms from 1516 until 1556. In addition to epilepsy, he had an enlarged lower jaw. He struggled to chew his food properly and consequently experienced bad indigestion for much of his life. He was also rumored to have gout.
Pythagoras
(circa 580 to500 B.C.)
This Greek philosopher and mathematician is known as "the Father of Numbers."
Hannibal
(247 to 183 B.C.)
Carthaginian military commander and tactician during the Second Punic War.
Hector Berlioz (Louis Hector Berlioz)
(1803 to 1869)
This French Romantic composer made great contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He utilized huge orchestral forces for his works, sometimes calling for over 1,000 performers.
James Madison
(1751 to 1836)
He made his mark in history as the 4th President of the United States. During his teens and early twenties, Madison complained of a voice impairment that prevented him from public speaking until age 30.
Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron)
(1788 to 1824)
This English author's famous works include "Don Juan." He was a general in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.
Louis XIII
(1601 to 1643)
King of France and Navarre from 1610 to 1643.
Margaux Hemingway
(1955 to 1996)
This American model and film actress was sister to actress, Mariel Hemingway, and the granddaughter of writer Ernest Hemingway. She struggled with alcoholism and bulimia during her life.
Martin Luther
(1483 to 1546)
This German monk, theologian, and church reformer's contraversial ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation.
Nicolo Paganini
(1782 to 1840)
This Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer is widely considered to be one of, if not the greatest violinist who ever lived.
Paul I of Russia (Pavel I Petrovich)
(1754 to 1801)
Emperor of Russia from 1796 to 1801.
Peter Tchaikovsky (Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
(1840 to 1893)
This Russian composer is well-known for his "1812 Overture."
Peter the Great (Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov)
(1672 to 1725)
This Russian tsar, despite his self-given title, was officially Peter I. He is credited with dragging Russia out of the medieval times. He centralised government, modernised the army, created a navy, and increased the subjugation and subjection of the peasants.
Robert Schumann
(1810 to 1856)
This German composer and influential music critic is one of the most famous Romantic composers of the 19th century.
Sir Walter Scott
(1771 to 1832)
This Scottish historical novelist and poet's popular works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include "Ivanhoe", "Rob Roy", "The Lady of the Lake", "Waverley" and "The Heart of Midlothian."
Socrates
(470 to 399 B.C.)
This Classical Greek philosopher made important and lasting contributions in ethics and the fields of epistemology and logic.
Truman Capote (Truman Streckfus Persons)
(1924 to 1984)
This American writer's stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction are recognized literary classics. At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote's novels, stories and screenplays.