List of Famous people who have or had Alzheimers Disease
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While more people get it at an older age, it isn't exclusively an older person's disease. It has been around, and been diagnosed, longer than some of us may have realized.
Many of these people in the public eye and/or their family members have become advocates for Alzheimer's information, funding and research.
Once married to Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth was an iconic actress and dancer active from the 1930s through the 1970s.
She danced with Fred Astaire in You'll Never Get Rich. Some of her best known films include Gilda, Cover Girl, The Lady From Shanghai, Salome and The Story on Page One Rita Hayworth was an American servicemen's pinup.
Her marriage to Orson Welles lasted 1943-1948. They had one daughter.
Rita Hayworth died in 1987 from Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 68.
According to a 1987 New York Times article, Hayworth "had been under the care of her second daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, who by publicizing her mother's tragic illness had drawn national and international attention to Alzheimer's disease, about which little was known until recent years."
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| Peter Falk with Richard Kiley in an episode of Columbo, "Just one more thing..." |
Charles Bronson had a long career on television and in films, known for his work in the Death Wish series.
Peter Falk, actor in many films known well for his role as Lt. Columbo
Burgess Meredith Received Academy Award nominations for his work in Rocky and The Day of the Locust. Also prolific on television and the stage.
Charleton Heston In 1959 he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Ben-Hur, Heston worked in many memorable films such as Planet of the Apes.
Dana Andrews The Best Years of Our Lives
Estelle Getty Golden Girls
Jack Lord Hawaii 5-0
Arlene Francis Famous in part for being on the show, What's My Line?
James Doohan was Montgomery Scotty Scott on Star Trek, when they said "Beam me up, Scotty," he was the man to do it.
Glen Campbell: In early 2013 it was announced that Campbell would no longer be able to continue touring. Instead he would work as an advocate for Alzheimer's research. He spent his 77th birthday in Washington.
Mabel Albertson: The sister of actor Jack Albertson, Mabel Albertson played the mother of Donald Hollinger on That Girl, Howard Sprague on The Andy Griffith Show and Dick Van Dyke on The New Dick Van Dyke Show. She was Phyllis Stephens, Darrin's Mom on Bewitched. Her character was known to say to her husband, "Frank, take me home. I have a sick headache."
Sports:
Patty Berg, LPGA great
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| James Doohan visits NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, California. Pictured w/ NASA pilot Bruce Peterson 1967. |
Sugar Ray Robinson, Boxer
Former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2011
Music, Art:
Perry Como
Thomas A. Dorsey, known as Father of Gospel Music [wrote Peace in the Valley for Mahalia Jackson in 1937]
Artist, Willem de Kooning
Writing:
Sir Terry Pratchett
E. B. White, Classic children's books, Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan
Terry Pratchett on Alzheimers - BBC
An esteemed author of fantasy novels, Mr. Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease
Said to have had the disease:
Norman Rockwell
composer Aaron Copland
Rosa Parks
Alzheimer's Contact (lost) Card-Customize
Browse People Business Cards
Former President Ronald Reagan
In August 1994, at the age of 83, former President Ronald Reagan was
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| Vintage photo poster California Governor Candidate Ronald Reagan Petting Horse at Home on Ranch |
Excerpt from letter:
"I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease... At the moment I feel just fine. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done...
"I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God always bless you."
Reagan died of pneumonia, brought on by Alzheimer's disease at his home in Bel Air, California, on the afternoon of June 5, 2004.
"My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has died after 10 years of Alzheimer's disease at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyone's prayers." Nancy Reagan's statement.
-- Some information from Wikipedia
Visit the Alzheimers Association web site for the latest information about treatment for the Alzheimer's disease, the stages of the disease and dementia, also places to get help in your area.
If you've met one person with Alzheimer's Disease, you've met one person with Alzheimer's Disease.
-- Unknown
Alzheimer's Disease Books, Movies, Songs
More gorgeous photos of Rita Hayworth, President Reagan and many others.
Available framed or unframed, your choice of size, paper type
The names on this page are in no particular order.
Nice post, gives humanity to the sufferers of this dreadful disease.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Young, the founder and rhythm guitarist of AC/DC was diagnosed with dementia (probably Alzheimer's) at age 55. He is now 62 and is in a long term care home. He doesn't remember how to play the guitar and at times doesn't recognize people he'd known for years.
These types of illnesses are simply the worst. I watched my uncle endure vascular dementia, and now an aunt has Alzheimer's as well.
Peace.