The public mostly gets to see the perfect lives of celebrities through paparazzi and their flawless performances. However, behind the camera, some of them have their struggles which include health and in this case, Parkinson’s disease. From Alan Alda, Ozzy Osbourne, Michael J. Fox, José E. Serrano, and Rick Shapiro. Several other famous people who have passed but lived with the disease include Muhammad Ali, to George H. W. Bush, and Billy Graham.
Parkinson’s disease which is otherwise known as PD is a brain disorder that causes a general movement disorder, causing stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty in balance.
10 Famous People With Parkinson’s Disease
1. Neil Diamond
The American singer-songwriter announced in 2018 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The disease pushed him to retire from tours. Nonetheless, he revealed in an interview that he is still productive and will continue to make music.
2. Cait Brennan
The American singer-songwriter, Cait Brennan was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease in 2013. Despite this, she continues to work on a famous career; and goes through physical and voice therapy.
In 2016, it was revealed that her Parkinson’s worsened. Despite this, her second studio album, Third, was released a year later. She has also recorded several other works and has performed on stage.
3. Nicolas Hodges
It all seemed normal for the London-born pianist, Nicolas Hodges until the fall of 2018 when he realized his body was shaking. Despite this, it was in 2019 that his neurologist confirmed that he had Parkinson’s disease and may have been living with the neurological disorder for up to three years.
Like numerous other people suffering from the disease, Hodges deals with various symptoms. The New York Times reports that the pianist’s diagnosis and symptoms have “made me try to focus even more on what multiple contradictory things are most important to me.”
4. Brian Grant
At only 36 years old in 2008, the American former NBA player was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. This made him one of the youngest celebrities to be diagnosed with PD. The disease is mostly diagnosed in people who about up to 50 years old.
It has pushed the former Los Angeles Lakers player to fight against the disease through the Brian Grant Foundation which was founded in 2010. It pushes and encourages people to exercise and nutrition to help combat the disease.
5. Samuel Smith
Singer-songwriter, Samuel Smith was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he was 44. At first, he thought it would mar his career as he struggled with some symptoms of the disease. He reported that,
I couldn’t play anything as fast or rhythmically as I used to, but it turned out that “different” was unlocking melodies and lyrics I’d never accessed before.
6. Mick Jones
The Foreigner founder, Mick Jones revealed through social media that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2024. Before then, his absence was noticed on many of the band’s tours. Jones assured that he was alright but that performing on stage was difficult for him.
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7. Ozzy Osbourne
Osbourne, a music icon and lead singer of Black Sabbath was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and he made it public in 2020. “I did my last show [on] New Year’s Eve (2018). Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves.” BBC reports of the singer’s revelation. He has suffered from PD’s symptoms and has also dealt with nerve pain.
8. Jesse Jackson
American civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister, Jesse Jackson has suffered different health challenges such as COVID-19 and viral gastroenteritis. Nonetheless, it was in 2017 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. About three years before he was medically diagnosed, he and his family had started seeing signs.
9. Martha Johnson
Martha Johnson is a Canadian artist who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001. She is renowned for raising awareness about the disease and has recorded a song about it. She has since given herself up to create awareness and help others who suffer from the disease.
She has helped through the Rock Steady boxing program to promote fitness in 2016.
10. Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko is a former WWE wrestler who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014. He has since gone through a lot of treatments and adjustments to help with the disease. When his symptoms worsened, he had brain surgery in 2023.
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