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There are many famous people with ADHD (aka ADD). They include athletes, actors, scientists, musicians, business leaders, authors, and artists. There are 100+ celebrities with learning disabilities, specifically ADHD, I found as part of our research on Ongig’s series on neurodiversity. I felt inspired to list all these amazing people in one place!
Disclaimers: This list includes successful people with ADHD and/or ADD who have been diagnosed and those who have been reported or rumored to have ADHD. I do my best to list resources for any questionable ones and welcome feedback, additions, and edits! I am not an expert on ADHD.
Celebrities with ADHD
Famous musician Justin Timberlake says he battles with both OCD and ADHD.
Pop Sugar’s article says the Harry Potter star, Emma Watson, is not open about her ADHD but has been treated with medication since she was diagnosed as a child. (image source: Georges Biard, Wikipedia)
If you had to list the very top celebrities with ADHD, you could do worse than this list of 20:
- Simone Biles (diagnosed)
- Terry Bradshaw (diagnosed)
- Jim Carey (rumored)
- James Carville (diagnosed)
- Bill Gates (rumored)
- Ryan Gosling (diagnosed)
- Paris Hilton (diagnosed)
- Michael Jordan (rumored)
- Adam Levine (diagnosed)
- Howie Mandel (diagnosed)
- Ty Pennington (diagnosed)
- Michael Phelps (diagnosed)
- Will Smith (rumored)
- Britney Spears (diagnosed)
- Channing Tatum (diagnosed)
- Justin Timberlake (diagnosed)
- Liv Tyler (diagnosed)
- Carrie Underwood (diagnosed)
- Emma Watson (diagnosed)
- Will.i.am (diagnosed)
But let’s break it down in more detail. There are so many reported famous people with ADHD that I categorize them by their professional field (Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Entrepreneurs, Scientists, etc.).
I do my best to provide sourcing at the bottom of this article. I hope you’re as inspired by these great humans as I am!
Actors with ADHD
Actress and daughter of rock superstar Steven Tyler, meditates to control her ADHD according to the Irish Examiner. (image source: Greg2600, Wikipedia)
- Chloe Bennett – Actress
- Albie Casiño- Actor
- Jim Carrey – Actor (rumored ADHD)
- Eliza Coupe – Actress
- Cara Delevigne – Actress & Model
- Zooey Deschanel – Actress, Model & Musician
- Eliza Dushku – Actress
- Helen Flanagan – Actress
- Joseph Gilgun – Actor
- Ryan Gosling – Actor
American actor Ryan Gosling arrives on the red carpet for the premiere of the film “First Man” at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (source: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani).
- Paris Hilton – Actress
- Luke Jacobz – Actor
- Diane Kruger – Actress
- Jessica McCabe – Actress
- Audra McDonald – Actress
- Rita Simons – Actress
- Will Smith – Actor (rumored ADHD)
- Channing Tatum – Actor & Producer
- Bex Taylor-Klaus – Actress
- Liv Tyler – Actor & Producer
- Mara Wilson – Actress
Comedians with ADHD (and TV/Media Personalities)
Howie Mandel has been vocal about his experiences with ADHD and OCD. (image source: Wikipedia)
- Richard Bacon – Broadcaster
- Glenn Beck – TV Producer & Radio Host
- Bethany Black – Comedian
- Raphael Bob-Waksburg – Comedian, Actor & Producer
- Russell Brand – Comedian & Actor
Russell Brand famous comedian with ADHD. (source: Flickr by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer)
- Rory Bremner – Comedian
- Hannah Gadsby – Comedian & Actress
- Rick Green – Comedian
- Filip Hammer – TV Host
- Ryan Higa – Comedian
- Lee Mack – Comedian & Actor
- Howie Mandel – Comedian
- Patrick McKenna – Comedian
- Jamie Oliver – Celebrity Chef
- Jack Osbourne – Media Personality
- Ty Pennington – TV Host
- Lele Pons – Internet Celebrity
- Nabil Abdul Rashid – Comedian
- Joan Rivers – TV Personality (rumored ADHD)
- Brookley Wofford – Beauty Pageant Queen
- Jason Zimmerman – Professional Gamer
Famous Athletes with ADHD
Among other celebrities with ADHD (or ADD) are athletes. If you don’t recognize some of these people, don’t fret (I didn’t either)…but when I researched them they are indeed celebrities within their field!
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles openly talked about her ADHD diagnosis after her medial records were leaked prior to the 2004 Rio Olympics says the Huffington Post. (image source: Agência Brasil Fotografias, Wikipedia)
Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD at just 9 years old according to WebMD but did not let it stop his dreams of competing in the Olympics. (image source: Agência Brasil Fotografias, Wikipedia)
- Terry Bradshaw – Superbowl Champion & Sports Commentator
- Simone Biles – Olympic Gymnast
- Cammi Granato – Olympic Hickey Player
- Tim Howard – Soccer Star
- Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner – Track Star
- Michael Jordan – Basketball Star (rumored ADHD)
- Shaquille O’Neal – Basketball Star
- Michael Phelps – Olympic Swimmer
- Pete Rose – Baseball Star
- Babe Ruth – Baseball Legend (rumored ADHD)
- Karina Smirnoff – Professional Dancer
- Shane Victorino – Major League Baseball Player
Famous Musicians with ADHD
There are quite a few musicians with ADHD. Does Adam Levine have ADHD? According to Healthline, Adam Levin struggled with sitting still, completing work, and focusing (some of the top signs of ADHD).
Does Adam Levine have ADHD? Adam Levine struggled in school due to his ADHD. (image source: gashleygoh Flickr)
Joyner Lucas, a famous rapper, even named an album after his struggles with ADHD as a kid. (image source: Twenty Nine Music Group, Wikipedia)
“Joyner Lucas ADHD” is searched 12,000 times per month on Google according to ahrefs.com. This could be because his fans want to know more about his struggles with ADHA growing up, or to learn about the album he named after them, called “ADHD”.
Note: Rapper Kendrick Lamar named one of his most recent albums “A.D.H.D.”, but reports show he does not have ADHD and the album name is not related to a learning disability.
Ok, here’s the list of famous musicians who have ADHD:
- Mel B – Musician
- Sven Anders Bagge – Composer
- Joe Bonamassa – Musician
In a documentary called, How One Man Beat the Record Industry, musician Joe Bonamassa mentions he met the infamous B.B. King when he was 12 after being booked to open up for him. Bonamassa said:
“I’m not sure he had ever seen the likes of me before. Like this kid with ADD running around the stage with a Fender Telecaster and a cowboy hat…”
- Aaron Bruno – Singer
- Loyle Carner – Hip Hop Musician
- Zooey Deschanel – Musician, Actress & Model
- J Grange – Musician and Neurodiversity Advocate
- Dave Grohl – Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer
- Dorian Electra – Musician
- Example – Musician & Rapper
- Dex Fafara – Musician
- Kerry Katona – Singer & Songwriter
- Kleerup – Musician
- Solange Knowles – Singer
- Left at London – Singer & Comedian
- John Lennon – Musician (rumored ADHD)
- Adam Levine – Musician & Entrepreneur
- Joyner Lucas – Rapper & Producer
- Marie-Mai – Musician
- Mozart – Composer(rumored ADHD)
- Park Bom – Singer
- Tom Paxton – Singer & Songwriter
- Greg Puciato – Musician
- Todd Rundgren – Instrumentalist
- Elliot Smith – Singer & Songwriter
- Brittney Spears – Musician
- Magnus Uggla – Composer
- Carrie Underwood – Musician & Actress
- Brendon Urie – Musician
- Chris Webby – Rapper
- Ben Weinman – Musician
- Billy West – Musician & Voice Actor
- Will.i.am – Rapper & Producer
Famous Writers with ADHD
In an article by Understood.com, Journalist Lisa Ling said “I had trouble concentrating in school, and it really affected my grades and self-confidence. I had to work and try very hard to get ahead.” (image source: Jingman, Wikipedia)
Cartoonist & Author Dav Pilkey told the Washington Post he credits his ADHD for his massive success. (image source: Kojisasuke, Wikipedia)
- Katherine Ellison – Author
- Lisa Ling – Journalist, Author & TV Personality
- Lousie Mensch – Blogger & Novelist
- David Allen Patterson – Author & Researcher
- Dav Pilkey – Author & Illustrator
Entrepreneurs with ADHD (and other successful leaders)
As children, and even during their adult lives, these entrepreneurs and other leaders faced challenges because of their ADHD. But that did not stop them from pursuing their dreams. Here are some successful people with ADHD who are leaders:
Astronaut Scott Kelly was the first America to spend a year in space, as a child he never thought his dreams would come true due to ADHD. (image source: NASA Johnson Flickr)
Does Donald Trump have ADHD? According to Trump biographer Michael D’Antonio in an article by Politico,
“I think he’s definitely got attention deficit disorder…”
What about Barron Trump? 80 people per month google the phrase “Barron Trump ADHD” though there’s no confirmation of Barron having ADHD.
Do Donald Trump and his son have ADHD? (image source: Wikipedia)
- Annie Antón – Found of ThePrivacyPlace.org
- Blondinbella – Swedish Entrepreneur & Author
- Sir Richard Branson – Entrepreneur(rumored ADHD)
- John Chambers – Chairman Emeritus, Cisco
- Jenny Dearborn – Chief People Officer at Klaviyo. “As soon as I was diagnosed I was hugely relieved and incredibly angry at everyone who had told me I was stupid or ‘retarded,’ at every teacher or counselor who dismissed me,” Dearborn told CNN.
- Walt Disney – Disney Creator(rumored ADHD)
- Bill Gates – Entrepreneur
- Benn Glenn – Professional Speaker
- Damien Hooper-Campbell – Chief Diversity Officer at Zoom. “Damien Hooper-Campbell, 40, didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until his mid-20s. When he was a kid, he said he was hyper-focused in certain areas, but had little attention for others.” (source: CNN)
- Margaux Joffe – Producer & ADHD Community Leader
- Ingvar Kamprad – IKEA founder and chairman
- Scott Kelly – Astronaut
- John F. Kennedy – U.S. President (rumored ADHD)
- Dianel Koh – Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, has two degrees from Harvard, and was named one of Forbes magazine’s “30 under 30” at age 26.
- Christopher Lochhead – Entrepreneur and Podcaster
- Steve Madden – Shoe Designer
Shoe mogul, Steve Madden was featured ina. Netflix film which documents his life and struggles with ADHD, among other things. Mentality Magazine reported that:
“After struggling to make it through college because of the distracting party scene, his growing addiction to alcohol, and his ADHD, he decided to quit school and get a job in a shoe store. This is where he discovered his passion for designing shoes…”
- Lara Mendonça – Head of Design at Twitter
- David Neeleman – Aviation Entrepreneur…he founded JetBlue.
- Paul Orfalea – Founder of Kinko’s
- Donald Trump – U.S. President (rumored ADHD)
- Barron Trump – Public Figure & Donald Trump’s Son (Rumored ADHD)
Famous Scientists with ADHD (and Inventors)
- Albert Einstein – Scientist(rumored ADHD)
- Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (rumored ADHD)
- Thomas Edison – Inventor(rumored ADHD)
Famous Artists with ADHD
- Leonardo da Vinci – Artist & Sculptor (rumored ADHD)
- Vincent van Gogh – Artist (rumored ADHD)
- Pablo Picasso – Artist (rumored ADHD)
Famous Doctors with ADHD
- Edward “Ned” Hallowell – Psychiatrist
- Gabor Maté – Childhood Development Physician
Good Jobs for People with ADHD
Many of these famous people with ADHD used their talent to help stay focused and to stay in control of their ADHD. Additude Magazine’s article on good jobs for people with ADHD says that:
“creative, engaging, interactive professions on this list make the most of ADD attributes like empathy, energy, enthusiasm, and hyperfocus under pressure”
A few of the top professions listed are artist, entrepreneur, chef, journalist and stage manager.
- Artist
- Entrepreneur
- Chef
- Journalist
- Stage Manager
From what we can tell, these famous people with ADHD were right on track picking some of the best jobs for people with ADHD.
Other Successful People with ADHD?
My list is by no means complete. Please let me know if you find other successful people with ADHD and I will be glad to add them to this growing list! Just ping me at Heather@Ongig.com.
If you enjoyed this list of celebrities with ADHD, you might also want to check out Famous People with Dyslexia [A List of 175+ Actors, Athletes, Musicians & Scientists] and Famous People with Autism [180+ Athletes, Actors, Musicians & More!]
And a final thanks goes to…
Sources for my Research on Famous People with ADHD
These pros helped me source the article — thank you!
- Wikipedia’s Listing of People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- WebMD’s slideshow on Celebrities With ADD/ADHD
- Healthline’s article on 9 Celebrities with ADHD
- AdditudeMag’s article on Famous People with ADHD
- Greatist’s article on 33 Famous Faces of ADHD
- Health 24’s article on You’d never guess these famous people have ADHD
- AdditudeMag’s article on 16 Good Jobs for People with ADHD
- Michael Cavna’s article on Dav Pilkey credits his ADHD for his massive success. Now he wants kids to find their own ‘superpower’
- LD Resources Foundation’s article on Howie Mandel Gets Real About his ADHD & OCD
- Geri Coleman Tucker’s article on Astronaut Scott Kelly Opens Up About His Attention Issues
- Inspire Malibu’s article on 9 Famous People With ADHD
- Julian Sonny’s article on The 10 Most Successful People With ADHD
- Lauren Guilbeault’s article on 30 Famous People With ADHD
- Christina Margolis’s article on Kids’ Creations: The Art of Having ADHD
- Sabrina Park’s article on 11 Bad*ss Women Who Are Thriving With ADHD
- Irish Examiner’s article on Tyler uses meditation to deal with ADD
- Michael Saponara’s article on Joyner Lucas Announces ‘ADHD’ Project Inspired by Childhood Diagnosis
- Maxwell Strachan’s article on Simone Biles Proudly Opens Up About Having ADHD
- Understood.com’s article on Celebrity Spotlight: Why Journalist Lisa Ling Was “Relieved” by Her ADHD Diagnosis
- Michael Kruse’s article on Donald Trump’s Shortest Attribute Isn’t His Fingers
- Grace Jordan’s article on Jessica Alba: Actress, Activist, Mother, Business Mogul, Birthday Girl
- Alexa DeLuca’s article on Steve Madden
- 188 Inside President Trump’s Business, Taxes & More w/ Author of Whitehouse Inc. Dan Alexander (Part 2)
- Beyond the Spotlight, Shaquille O’Neal (by HBO)
- ‘My ADHD got me kicked out of class and left me suicidal – now I’m a UN speaker at 19’ (by Hayley Clarke)
- Bumble’s Head of Product Design to Join Twitter (by Katie Deighton)
- Celebrities who’ve received an ADHD diagnosis (by PsychCentral)
- Famous People with ADHD (by ADDitude Magazine)
- Boston mayoral aide shares his struggle with ADHD (by Linda Matchan)
- Spotlight on Ryan Gosling (by Dave Karger)
- 33 Famous Faces of ADHD (by Greatist)
- Celebrities With ADHD/ADD (by WebMD, reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD
- Learn About the Stories of 8 of the World’s Most Successful People with ADHD (by University of the People)
- ADHD isn’t a career killer. Just ask these executives (by Jeanne Sahadi)
- ADHD Can Be a CEO’s Secret Superpower (by Jessica Glazer)
Why I wrote this?
Ongig is on a mission to eliminate boring and biased job descriptions. As part of this, we try to share best practices on all aspects of diversity. For example, Ongig’s Text Analyzer helps you avoid words that are exclusionary to famous (or non-famous) people with ADHD or other forms of Neurodiversity. Please visit Ongig if you’d like to learn more.
