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It’s amazing how many famous people with dyslexia there are. They include athletes, actors, inventors, entrepreneurs, musicians, authors, and artists.
I found 200+ famous people who have dyslexia 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 famous dyslexic people who have been diagnosed and those who have been reported or rumored to be affected by dyslexia. I do my best to list resources for any questionable ones and welcome feedback, additions, and edits! I am not an expert on dyslexia.
Famous People with Dyslexia
Tom Holland is Dyslexic
Is Tom Holland dyslexic? According to Dyslexic Advantage, he was diagnosed at an early age. (image source: Gage Skidmore)
This gymnast turned Avengers and Spiderman star is dyslexic. Fun fact…he flipped into and out of his audition for Spiderman. Dyslexic Advantage said,
“Tom’s dyslexia was identifed at the age of 7 which led his parents to enroll him in a private school.
He’s occasionally been hounded on social media because of spelling or grammar mistakes, but most of all he’s lauded for his natural acting ability and athletic skill.”
Is Donald Trump Dyslexic? Twitter users believe he is, but it has never been confirmed. (image source: Wikipedia)
Given what we know now after researching famous people with learning disabilities, many historic figures were or are affected by dyslexia. There are rumors on Twitter that Donald Trump is dyslexic, but these rumors have not been confirmed.
Was Albert Einstein dyslexic? Indeed he was, according to the Commonwealth Learning Center (see Famous Dyslexics who have Impacted the World:
“Albert Einstein, the most influential physicist of the 20th century, was dyslexic. He loved mathematics and science, but he disliked grammar and always had problems with spelling.”
Was Albert Einstein dyslexic? According to the Commonwealth Learning Center, he was. (image source: Wikipedia)
So here’s my list of famous dyslexics. There are so many reported famous people with dyslexia that I categorized them by their professional field (Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Leaders, etc.). I hope you’re as inspired by these successful people as I am!
Famous Celebrities with Dyslexia
ABC News reveals Jennifer Aniston’s 20 year battle with dyslexia. (image source: Wikipedia)
- Jennifer Aniston – Actress (source: ABC News)
- Michael “Atters” Attree – Comedian (source: Wikipedia)
- Abhishek Bachchan – Actor (source: Wikipedia)
- Robert Benton – Film Director (source: Wikipedia)
- Aidan Bishop – Comedian (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Chaz Bono – Actor, Writer, Musician (source: Wikipedia)
- Orlando Bloom – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Laura Flynn Boyle – Actress (source: Wikipedia)
- Marcus Brigsteocke – Comedian (source: Wikipedia)
- George Burns – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Stephen J. Cannell – Producer (source: Wikipedia)
- Dave Chalk – Broadcaster (source: Wikipedia)
- Georgina Chapman – Actress & Designer (source: Wikipedia)
- Amy Childs – TV Personality & Model (source: Wikipedia)
- Chris Cosentino – Celebrity Chef (source: Wikipedia)
- Tom Cruise – Actor (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Clark Janell Davis – Beauty Queen (source: Wikipedia)
- John de Lancie – Actor (source: Wikipedia)
- Patrick Dempsey – Actor (source: Wikipedia)
- Grayson Dolan – Comedian (source: Amino Apps)
- Michael Dudikoff – Actor (source: Wikipedia)
- Stuart Dunne – Actor (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Arjan Ederveen – Actor (source: Wikipedia)
- Fae Ellington – Jamaican Media Personality (source: Wikipedia)
- Ben Fogle – TV Presenter (source: Wikipedia)
- Danny Glover – Actor (source: WebMD)
- Tracey Gold – Actress (source: Psychology Degree)
- Whoopi Goldberg – Actress (source: WebMD)
- Susan Hampshire – Actress (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Salma Hayek – Dyslexic Actress (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Tom Holland – Actor (source: Dyslexic Advantage)
- Anthony Hopkins – Actor (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Eddie Izzard – Actor & Comedian (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Keira Knightley- Actress (source: WebMD)
- Spike Lee – Film Producer (source: Doctor Oz)
- Jay Leno – TV Host (source: WebMD)
- Megan McCubbin — UK Actress (source: MyLondon)
- Alyssa Milano – Actress (Wonderwall)
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Childhood star Alyssa Milano struggled with her scripts in the 1980s but has grown to manage her Dyslexia as an adult. (image source: Wikimedia)
Getting her fame in the 1980s from her role as Samantha, Alyssa Milano, told Wonderwall she struggled with her scripts because she is dyslexic. When asked about her dyslexia by a fan on Twitter, she said:
“By accepting it’s a learning difference, not a learning disability and… spell check :)”
- Jace Norman – Actor (source: Vizaca)
- Edward James Olmos – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- India Oxenberg – Producer of “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult ” and Author (source: The Hollywood Reporter)
- Keanu Reeves – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Abel Smith – husband of famous actress Kate Winslett
- (source: Enstars)
- Octavia Spencer – Actress & Author (source: Understood)
- Steven Spielberg – Filmmaker (source: WebMD)
- Bella Thorne – Actress (source: Insider)
- Billy Bob Thornton – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Phil Tippett – Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back cast (source: Twitter)
- Kara Tointon – Actress (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- John Travolta – Actor (source: Dyslexia Online)
- Vince Vaughan – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Lindsey Wagner – Actress (source: Psychology Degree)
- Henry “the Fonz” Winkler – Actor & Writer (source: WebMD)
- Robin Williams – Actor (source: Psychology Degree)
- Holly Willoughby – TV presenter (source: Hello Magazine)
- Loretta Young – Actress (source: Psychology Degree)
Athletes with Dyslexia
Dyslexia Help says Tim Tebow is dyslexic and gives talks about his experiences growing up with dyslexia. (image source: Sports Spectrum, Wikipedia)
- Muhammad Ali – Boxer(source: WebMD)
- Sam Allardyce – Soccer Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Ann Bancroft – Dogsled Athlete (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Jared Blank – Marathon Winner (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Billy Blanks – Fitness Expert (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Jeremy Bonderman – MLB Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Jason Conley – Professional Basketball Player (source: Wikipedia)
- Meryl Davis – Olympic Ice Skater (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Duncan Goodhew – Swimmer (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Franck Gore – NFL Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Alex Green – NFL Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Jovan Haye – Professional Athlete (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Chris Heald – Wrestler (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Johhny Herbert – Racecar Driver (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Bruce Jenner – Olympic Athlete (source: Psychology Degree)
- Magic Johnson – Basketball Star (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Jewel Lloyd – WNBA Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Carrie Lofgren – Rowing Athlete (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Greg Louganis – Diver (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Paul Merson – Soccer Player (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Steven Naismith – Soccer Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Diamond Dallas Page – Wrestler (source: Psychology Degree)
- Sir Steven Redgrave – Olympic Rower (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Nolan Ryan – MLB Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Rex Ryan – NFL Coach (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Mark Schlereth – NFL Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Scott Sonnon – Martial Arts Champion (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Sir Jackie Stewart – Racecar Driver(source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Tim Tebow – NFL Player & Baseball Player (source: Dyslexia Help)
- Justin Wilson – Indycar Driver (source: Dyslexia Help)
Famous Dyslexic Musicians
According to Integrative Learning, Jewel had to work 20 times harder to learn due to her dyslexia. (image source: Justin Higuchi, Wikipedia)
- Geoff Barrow – Musician (source: Wikipedia)
- Harry Belafonte – Singer (source: Psychology Degree)
- Ludwig van Beethoven (source: Psychology Degree)
- Tony Bennett – Singer (source: Undertstood.org)
- Celine Byrne – Irish Soprano (source: Wikipedia)
- Cher – Singer & Actress (source: Integrative Learning)
- Stewart Copeland – Musician (source: Undertstood.org)
- Paloma Faith – Musician (source: Wikipedia)
- Mick Fleetwood – Drummer (source: Integrative Learning)
- Paul Frappier – Musician (source: Wikipedia)
- Noel Gallagher – Musician (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Bill Hewlett – Hewlett Packard (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Jewel – Singer (source: Integrative Learning)
- John Lennon – Musician (source: Psychology Degree)
- Shane Lynch – Musician (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Ozzy Osbourne – Musician (source: Undertstood.org)
- Kerry Packer – Media Tycoon (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Loud Reed – Musician (source: Undertstood.org)
- Chris Robinson – Musician (source: Undertstood.org)
- Charles Schwab – Charles Schwab Corporation (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Caryl Simon – Singer (source: Undertstood.org)
- Gwen Stefani – Singer (source: Integrative Learning)
- Joss Stone – Singer (source: Undertstood.org)
- Richard Straus – Composer (source: Psychology Degree)
- Bob Weir – Musician (source: Psychology Degree)
- Florence Welch – Musician (source: Integrative Learning)
Famous Dyslexic Writers
Commonwealth Learning Center said F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of Great Gatsby, was reportedly kicked out of school at the age of 12 for not focusing or finishing his work due. (image source: The World’s Work, Wikipedia)
- Scott Adams – Comic Book Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Louise Arnold – Writer (source: Wikipedia)
- Carmen Agra Deedy – Author (source: Understood)
- Avi – Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Jeanne Betancourt – Writer (source: Understood)
- Chrisann Brennan – Writer (source: Wikipedia)
- Robert Bolaño – Novelist (source: Wikipedia)
- Octavia Estelle Butler – Writer (source: Understood)
- Stacey R. Campbell – Writer (source: Understood)
- Stephen Cannell – Novelist (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Lewis Carroll – Author (source: Psychology Degree)
- Hans Christian Anderson – Author (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Agatha Christie – Author (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Anderson Cooper – Journalist (source: Wikipedia)
- Chip Delaney – Author (source: Wikipedia)
- Tim Ferriss – Author (source: Lifehack.org)
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(image source: Wikipedia Creative Commons)
Tim Ferriss is the author of the popular book 4-hour Work Week. In an interview with Lifehack.org, Ferriss opened up about his struggles with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia in school:
“Writing this book required me to conquer serious inner demons. I was mildly dyslexic at a young age and still have a lot of trouble with dysgraphia: miswriting and mixing up letters. Finishing my senior thesis in college almost killed me, and this book was more than twice the length.”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald – Author (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- Fannie Flagg – Author & Actress (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Gustave Flaubert – Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Richard Ford – Author (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Sally Gardner – Writer (source: Understood)
- Terry Goodkind – Author (source: Psychology Degree)
- John Irving – Screenwriter (source: WebMD)
- Sherrilyn Kenyon – Author (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Lynda La Plant – Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- JF Lawton – Screenwriter (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Tom McLaughlin – Author (source: Understood)
- Caiseal Mor – Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Don Mullan – Author (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Brendan O’Carroll – Writer & Comedian (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Dav Pilkey – Writer & Illustrator (source: Understood)
- Jerry Pinkney – Author (source: ThoughtCo.)
- Patricia Polacco – Writer (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- John Elder Robinson – Author (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- George Bernard Shaw – Playwright (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Eileen Simpson – Poet (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Bernard Taylor – Playwright (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Jules Verne – Writer (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- Victor Villasenor – Author (source: Bachelors Degree Online)
- W.B. Yeats – Poet (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Ahmet Zappa – Writer (source: Understood)
Famous Dyslexic Scientists & Inventors
Carol Grieder was diagnosed with dyslexia later in life and struggled during school as a child according to Number Dyslexia. (image source: Gerbil, Wikipedia)
- Baruj Benacerraf – Physiologist (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Jacques Dubochet – Biophysicist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Simon Clemment – Scientist (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- James Clerk Maxwell – Scientist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Pierre Curie – Physicist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Harvey Cushing – Surgeon (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Thomas Eddison – Inventor (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Albert Einstein – Mathematician (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- Michael Faraday – Scientist(source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Tom Francis – AIDS Researcher (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Galileo Galilei – Astronomer & Mathematician (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Carol Greider – Biologist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- Steven Hawkins – Physicist (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- John Robert Horner – Paleontologist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- William P. Lear – Inventor (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Louis Pasteur – Scientist (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Archer John Porter Martin – Chemist (source: Number Dyslexia)
- John Robert Skoyles – Brain Researcher (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Nicolai Tesla – Inventor (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Wener Von Braun – Aerospace (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- Eli Whitney – Inventor (source: Happy Dyslexic)
- The Wright Brothers – Aviation Inventors (source: Happy Dyslexic)
Entrepreneurs with Dyslexia (and other Leaders)
When Time Magazine asked Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, whether dyslexia hindered his business abilities, he replied,
“Strangely, I think my dyslexia has helped.”
Richard Brandon told Time Magazine “Strangely, I think my dyslexia has helped” when asked about his success. (image source: Chatham House Flickr)
- Princess Beatrix of York – British Royal family member (source: Wikipedia)
- Michael Bennett – U.S. Senator (source: Wikipedia)
- Richard Branson – Virgin Atlantic (source: Growth Business UK)
- Erin Brockovich – Activist (source: Psychology Degree)
- Warren Buffet – Berkshire Hathaway (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Neil Bush – Entrepreneur (source: Wikipedia)
- Dan Carter – Politician (source: Wikipedia)
- John Chambers – CISCO (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Winston Churchill – Politician & Author (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Timothy Clifford – British Art Historian (source: Wikipedia)
- Gary Cohn – Business Leader (source: Wikipedia)
- Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr. – Astronaut (source: Wikipedia)
- Paul Dewar – Canadian Politician (source: Wikipedia)
- Walt Disney – Walt Disney Company (source: Growth Business)
- Alexander Faludy – Youngest Cambridge Graduate in 200 Years (source: Wikipedia)
- Steve Fielding – Australian Politician (source: Wikipedia)
- Henry Ford – Ford Motor Company (source: Growth Business)
- Bill Gates – Microsoft (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Carl XVI Gustaf – King of Sweden (source: Wikipedia)
- Reyn Guyer – NERF & Twister (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Matt Hancock – MP for West Sussex (source: @MattHancock Twitter)
- Michael Heseltine – Politician (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Ingvar Kamprad – IKEA (source: Dyslexia.com)
- John F. Kennedy – U.S. President (source: Psychology Degree)
- Thomas Jefferson – U.S. President (source: Psychology Degree)
- Steve Jobs – Apple (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- Craig McCaw – Entrepreneur (source: Dyslexia.com)
- O.D. McKee – Entrepreneur (source: Dyslexia.com)
- David Murdock – Businessman (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Elon Musk – Entrepreneur & CEO of SpaceX (source: Business Insider)
- David Neeleman – Airline Tycoon (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Jamie Oliver – Chef & Restauranteur (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- King Olaf of Norway – Monarch (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- George Patton – U.S. Army Leader (source: Psychology Degree)
- Carl Phillip – Prince of Sweden (source: Wikipedia)
- Anita Roddick – The Body Shop (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Nelson Rockefeller – Former United State Vice President (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Richard Rogers – British architect (source: The National News)
- Carlos Slim – Entrepreneur (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Kerry Stokes – Entrepreneur (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Lord Alan Sugar – Entrepreneur (source: Dyslexia.com)
- Ted Turner – Media Proprietor (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- George Washington – 1st United States President (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- William Wrigley Jr. – Wrigley Chewing Gum (source: Dyslexia.com)
Famous Dyslexic Artists
According to Live About, Andy Warhol may have been dyslexic. (image source: Wikipedia)
- Pauline Bewick – Artist (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Ash Casper – Illustrator (source: NPR)
- Leslie Chavez – Photographer (source: NPR)
- Chuck Close – Artist (source: Live About)
- Leonardo da Vinci – Artist (source: Commonwealth Learning Center)
- Rachel Deane – Painter (source: NPR)
- Nick Fagan – Fine Artist (source: NPR)
- Gudrun Hasle – Artist (source: NPR)
- Tommy Hilfiger – Clothing Designer (source: Growth Business)
- Mel Jarvis – Illustrator (source: NPR)
- Pablo Picasso – Artist (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Jackson Pollock – Artist (source: Live About)
- Robert Rauschenberg – Artist (source: Live About)
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Artist & Designer (source: Dyslexia Association of Ireland)
- Auguste Rodin – Artist (source: Live About)
- Andy Warhol – Artist (source: Live About)
Did I miss any famous dyslexics?
I know there are plenty of other famous dyslexics I’ve missed. Please add a comment below or ping me at heather@ongig.com and I’ll be glad to add them. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this list, you might also want to check out Famous People with Autism [150+ Athletes, Actors, Musicians & More!].
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 neurodiverse people. Please visit Ongig if you’d like to learn more.
Thank you, you Neurodiversity Pros!
These pros on famous dyslexics helped me source the article — thank you!
- Marian Body-Evans’ article on Why Dyslexia in an Artist Can Be a Good Thing
- The Dyslexia Association of Ireland’s article on Famous People with Dyslexia
- LA Johnson’s article on Finding Words in Paint: How Artists See Dyslexia
- Hunter Ruthven’s article on Why Dyslexia Makes For Great Entrepreneurs
- Christine Clark’s Article on Famous Dyslexics who have Impacted the World
- Dyslexia.com’s article on 22 Dyslexic Billionaires
- Psychologydegree.com’s article on 50 Famously Successful People Who Are Dyslexic
- Business Insider’s article on Elon Musk’s ex-wife explains what it takes to reach ‘extreme success’
- Happy Dyslexic.com’s article on Famous Dyslexics
- Manpreet Singh’s article on Top 10 famous scientists with dyslexia
- Lexi Walters Wright’s article on 11 Children’s Book Authors With Dyslexia
- Lexi Walters Wright’s article on 14 Musicians Who Learn and Think Differently
- BachelorsDegree.com’s article on 25 Famous Authors With Learning Disabilities
- Elizabeth Kennedy’s article on John Henry – Picture Book By Julius Lester
- WebMD’s slideshow on Celebrities With Dyslexia
- Dyslexiahelp.com’s article on Success & Inspirational Stories
- Robin Raven’s article on Actress Bella Thorne said that she never learned how to read or count so she taught herself
- Doctor Oz’s link to Filmmakers Spike Lee and Paul Dalio on Mental Health
- AminoApp’s post on Grayson Dolan
- Michael Rothman’s article on Jennifer Aniston Reveals 20-Year Battle With Dyslexia
- BBC Autumnwatch: Megan McCubbin’s famous TV step-dad and the wacky pets she kept at home (by MyLondon)
- Holly Willoughby recalls dealing with dyslexia as a child: ‘I felt shameful’ (by Sharnaz Shahid)
- Know Everything About American Famous Actor Jace Norman (by Barbara L Crider)
- Richard Rogers, famed British architect behind Pompidou Centre and The O2, dies at 88 (by The National)
