Famous Inclusive Leaders with Disabilities in the Workplace

Workplace accessibility remains a major issue worldwide. According to the International Labour Organisation, 80-90% of people with disabilities are unemployed or underemployed.

Similarly, Deloitte’s first Disability Inclusion @ Work 2024 survey reveals that Accessibility remains a challenge among organizations. So, this continues to compromise the careers of qualified talent. The survey shows that 41% of respondents face microaggressions at work, and 6 in 10 miss work due to accessibility issues.

Yet, disabilities have never stopped talented people

Despite societal and health challenges, history has shown that an individual’s disabilities bear no implications on their heartfelt contributions.

The following famous inclusive leaders are trailblazers who have courageously proven that disabilities do not define a person’s success:

Helen Keller – Advocate for disability and women’s rights and education. Helen co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which continues to defend the rights and freedom of people from all backgrounds throughout the United States.

Stephen Hawking – Physicist who used assistive technology to continue working. The groundbreaking scientist presented revolutionary theories that have redefined traditional worldviews. So such theories inxlude combining quantum physics with the general theory of relativity. Adding to Professor Hawking’s impressive achievements was his determination despite suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive degenerative disorder that robs the sufferer of voluntary muscle control.

Richard Branson – Entrepreneur with dyslexia who promotes neurodiverse hiring. The “Rebel Billionaire” also founded an independent and non-profit foundation of his company aimed at supporting bright and innovative minds worldwide in furthering global developments.

📢 Hiring Tip: Want to make your job descriptions accessible? Here’s how.

Further reading: The following articles show hundreds of talented individuals who have overcome their disabilities to get ahead in their respective careers. These famous inclusive leaders wowed the world with their contributions:

Celebrities with Disabilities

personality disorders (Billie Eilish)
famous people in wheelchairs (Stephen Hawking)
famous people with learning disabilities (Tom Cruise)
celebrities with physical disabilities (Stevie Wonder)
famous people with learning disabilities (Chris Rock)
other successful people with disabilities (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)

Billboard reported that Billie Eilish:

“The 16-year-old singer took to Instagram to set the record straight after compilation videos of her tics began to surface online. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes a person to have involuntary physical or verbal tics. In Eilish’s case, she exhibits physical tics, not verbal.”

Eilish performing at Pukkelpop 2019 (image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Disclaimer: This is a list of successful people with disabilities who have been diagnosed and those who have been reported or rumored to have disabilities. I do my best to list resources at the end of this article and welcome feedback, additions, and edits! I am not an expert on famous disabled persons.

Actors with Disabilities [& other Entertainment Professionals]

There are hundreds of successful entertainment pros and celebrities with disabilities. Do you know any blind actors? Rolling Stone reported in 2017 that Johnny Depp is blind in his left eye.

American actor Johnny Depp signing autographs at the Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End premiere in Anaheim, California. (image source: Wikipedia, alotofmillion)

Woody Allen – Director (Asperger’s)
Alicia Alanzo – Dancer (Visually Impaired)
Dan Aykroyd – Actor (Asperger’s & Tourette Syndrome)
Parveen Babi – Actress (Schizophrenia)
Richard Bacon – Broadcaster (ADHD)
Suzan Ball – Actress (Amputee)
Tanya Bardsley – Actress (ADHD)
Glenn Beck – TV Producer & Radio Host (ADHD)
Chloe Bennett – Actress (ADHD)
Sarah Bernhardt – Actress (Amputee)
Millie Bobby Brown – Actress (Hearing Impaired)
Kelle Bryan – Actress (Lupus)
Corey Burton – Voice Actor (Asperger’s)
Tim Burton – Director (Asperger’s)
Jim Byrnes – Actor (Amputee)
Albie Casiño- Actor (ADHD)
Jim Carrey – Actor (ADHD)
Sudha Chandran – Actress (Amputee)
Charlie Chaplin – Actor (Asperger’s)
Lizzy Clark – Actress (Asperger’s)
Paddy Considine – Actor (Asperger’s)
Eliza Coupe – Actress (ADHD)
Tony Cox – Actor (Dwarfism)
Tom Cruise – Actor (Dyslexia)
Abbey Nicole Curran – Miss USA Contestant (Cerebral Palsy)
Cara Delevigne – Actress & Model (ADHD & Dyspraxia)
Johnny Depp – Actor (Visually Impaired)
Peter Dinklage – Actor (Achondroplasia Dwarfism)

What type of dwarfism does Peter Dinklage have? He was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. (image source: Gage Skidmore)

Zooey Deschanel – Actress, Model & Musician (ADHD)
Aviva Drescher – TV Personality (Amputee)
Eliza Dushku – Actress (ADHD)
Justin Eugene Evans – Film Director (Asperger’s)
Jose Ferrer – Actor (Cleft)
Helen Flanagan – Actress (ADHD)
Michael J. Fox – Actor (Parkinson’s)
Joseph Gilgun – Actor (ADHD)
Crispin Glover – Actor (Asperger’s)
Sarah Gordy – Actress (Down Syndrome)
Eric Gores – Actor (Cerebral Palsy)
Ryan Gosling – Actor (ADHD)
Robert David Hall – Actor (Amputee)
Filip Hammer – TV Host (ADHD)
Paula Hamilton – Model (Asperger’s)
Daryl Hannah – Actress (Asperger’s)
Brant Hansen – Radio Personality (Asperger’s)
Anne Hegerty – TV Personality (Asperger’s)
Paris Hilton – Actress (ADHD)
Alfred Hitchcock – Film Director (Asperger’s)
Anthony Hopkins – Actor (Asperger’s)
Cheryl-Lee Houston – Actress (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
Jamie Hyneman – TV Host( Asperger’s)
Luke Jacobz – Actor (ADHD)
Geri Jewell – Actress (Cerebral Palsy)
Sofía Jirau — Model (Victoria’s Secret first model with Down syndrome)
Melissa Johns – Actress (TAR Syndrome)
Erick Kaffka – Actor (Amputee)
Andy Kaufman – Actor (Asperger’s)
Stacy Keach – Actor (Cleft)
Rene Kirby – Actor (Spina Bifida)
Diane Kruger – Actress (ADHD)
Heather Kuzmich – Model (Asperger’s)
Nina Marker – Model (Asperger’s)
Herbert Marshall – Actor (Amputee)
Marlee Matlin – Actress (Hearing Impaired)
Gaten Matarazzo – Actor (Cleidocranial Dysplasia)
Rik Mayall – Actor (Epilepsy)
Jessica McCabe – Actress (ADHD)
Audra McDonald – Actress (ADHD)
Dash Mihok – Actor (Tourette Syndrome)
Heather Mills – Model & Media Personality (Amputee)
RJ Mitte – Actor (Cerebral Palsy)

If you have ever watched the television series Breaking Bad, you may have asked, Is Walter Junior disabled in real life? The answer is yes, RJ Mitte has Cerebral Palsy just like the character he plays on the show.

According to Wikipedia, Mitte’s manager “sought acting opportunities where his disability would serve to educate viewers, which led him to audition for the role in Breaking Bad.”

Marilyn Monroe – Actress (Asperger’s)
John Motson – Sports Commentator (Asperger’s)
Suzanne Muldowney – Performance Artist (Asperger’s)
Chris Niosi – Voice Actor (Asperger’s)
Keith Olberman – Sports Commentator (Asperger’s)
Jamie Oliver – Celebrity Chef (ADHD & Dyspraxia)
Jack Osbourne – Media Personality (ADHD)
Chris Packham – TV Personality (Asperger’s)
Ty Pennington – TV Host (ADHD)
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix – Actor (Cleft)
Casey Pieretti – Actor (Amputee)
Alex Plank – Actor (Asperger’s)
Lele Pons – Internet Celebrity (ADHD)
Meera Popkin – Broadway Star (Schizophrenia)
Daniel Radcliffe – Actor (Dyspraxia)
Christopher Reeve – Actor (Quadraplegic)
Joan Rivers – TV Personality (ADHD)
Chris Rock – Actor (nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD))

Chris Rock is one of the famous people with learning disabilities. (image source: Wikipedia)

In a recent post by Self Magazine, Chris Rock Reveals He’s in Therapy to Help Manage a Nonverbal Learning Disorder. This means Chris Rocks joins famous people with learning disabilities who have gone public.

The article says:

“After a friend suggested Rock might have Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, he went in for nine hours of cognitive testing, he said in the interview. After that Rock was diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), which affects his ability to read nonverbal social cues.”

Harold Russell – Actor & War Veteran (Amputee)
Rose Siggins – Actress (Sacral Agenesis)
Rita Simons – Actress (ADHD)
Will Smith – Actor (ADHD)
James Stacy – Actor (Amputee)
Erik Stolhanske – Actor (Amputee)
Marc Summers – TV Personality (Tourette Syndrome)
Channing Tatum – Actor & Producer (ADHD)
Bex Taylor-Klaus – Actress (ADHD)
Liv Tyler – Actor & Producer (ADHD)
Peter White – Broadcaster (Visually Impaired)
Marco Pierre White – Celebrity Chef (Dyspraxia)
Robin Williams – Actor (ADHD, Asperger’s, Bipolar Disorder, & Parkinson’s)
Rose Williams – Actress (Schizophrenia)
Mara Wilson – Actress (ADHD)
Henry Winkler – Director (Dysgraphia)
Brookley Wofford – Beauty Pageant Queen (ADHD)
Jason Zimmerman – Professional Gamer (ADHD)

Artists with Disabilities

These disabled artists were successful in their creation of masterpieces despite having a disability.

Esref Armagan – Artist (Visually Impaired)
David Bailey – Photographer (Dyspraxia)
Pauline Bewick – Artist (Dyslexia)
Ash Casper – Illustrator (Dyslexia)
Leslie Chavez – Photographer (Dyslexia)
Chuck Close – Artist (Dyslexia)
Rachel Deane – Painter (Dyslexia)
Edgar Degas – Painter (Visually Impaired)
Leonardo da Vinci – Artist & Sculptor (ADHD)
Honoré Daumier – Caricature Artist (Visually Impaired)
Nick Fagan – Fine Artist (Dyslexia)
Francisco Goya – Painter (Visually Impaired)
Gudrun Hasle – Artist (Dyslexia)
Jim Henson – Animator & Puppeteer (Asperger’s)
Chuck Close – Artist (Learning Disability)
Peter Howson – Painter (Asperger’s)
Mel Jarvis – Illustrator (Dyslexia)
Frida Kahlo – Painter (Polio & Spina Bifida)

How did the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo manage her disability? Respectability.org said:

“Throughout her life, Kahlo came face-to-face with her disabilities and turned them into art. She has many paintings depicting her disabilities. She never let her disability prevent her from pursuing her passion.”

Wasily Kandinsky – Painter (Asperger’s)
Dan Keplinger – Artists (Cerebral Palsy)
Paul Kostabi – Artist (Asperger’s)
Percy Wyndham Lewis – Artist & Author (Visually Impaired)
L S Lowry – Artist (Asperger’s)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Artist & Designer (Dyslexia)
Michelangelo – Artist (Asperger’s)
Claude Monet – Painter (Visually Impaired)
Pablo Picasso – Artist (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Jackson Pollock – Artist (Dyslexia)
Robert Rauschenberg – Artist (Dyslexia)
Joshua Reynolds – Artist (Visually Impaired)
Auguste Rodin – Artist (Dyslexia)
Patrick Samuel (Asperger’s)
Charles Schulz – Cartoonist (Asperger’s)
Van Smith – Makeup Artist (Spina Bifida)
James Thurber – Cartoonist (Visually Impaired)
Vincent van Gogh – Painter (Asperger’s & ADHD)
Louis Wain – Artist (Cleft)
Andy Warhol – Artist (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)

Famous Athletes with Disabilities

We found 90+ famous athletes with disabilities, this list includes famous people in wheelchairs and amputee athletes. Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham made the list. Known for his extreme wheelchair stunts, Fotheringham was born with Spina Bifida. This video from Nitro Circus shows him doing the first wheelchair frontflip in the world:

Barbara Adside – Equestrian Athlete (Amputee athlete)
Muhammad Ali – Boxer (Dyslexia)
Lionel Aldridge – NFL Player (Schizophrenia)
Sam Allardyce – Soccer Player (Dyslexia)
Ann Bancroft – Dogsled Athlete (Dyslexia)
Jessica-Jane Applegate – Swimmer (Asperger’s)
David Beckham – Soccer Star (Tourette Syndrome)
Simone Biles – Olympic Gymnast (ADHD)
Jared Blank – Marathon Winner (Dyslexia)
Billy Blanks – Fitness Expert (Dyslexia)
Jeremy Bonderman – MLB Player (Dyslexia)
Terry Bradshaw – Superbowl Champion & Sports Commentator (ADHD)
Danny Chew – Cyclist (Asperger’s)
Jason Conley – Professional Basketball Player (Dyslexia)
Meryl Davis – Olympic Ice Skater (Dyslexia)
Tommy Dis Brisay – Runner (Asperger’s)
Nikolas DiDomenico – Cyclist (Asperger’s)
Jean Driscoll – Wheelchair Racer (Spina Bifida)
Jim Eisenreich – Major League Baseball Player (Asperger’s & Tourette Syndrome)
Aaron Fotheringham – Extreme Wheelchair Athlete (Spina Bifida)
Terry Fox – Canadian Athlete (Amputee athlete)
Sudarshan Gautam – Mountaineer (Amputee athlete)
Duncan Goodhew – Swimmer (Dyslexia)
Andy Goram – Soccer Player (Schizophrenia)
Franck Gore – NFL Player (Dyslexia)
Cammi Granato – Olympic Hockey Player (ADHD)
Alex Green – NFL Player (Dyslexia)
Tanni Grey-Thompson – Wheelchair Racing Athlete (Spina Bifida)
Bethany Hamilton – Surfer (Amputee athlete)
Nicolas Hamilton – British Racing Driver (Cerebral Palsy)
Mia Hamm – Soccer Star (Clubfoot)
Justin Hansen – College Football Player (Asperger’s)
Jovan Haye – Professional Athlete (Dyslexia)
Chris Heald – Wrestler (Dyslexia)
Johhny Herbert – Racecar Driver (Dyslexia)
Tim Howard – Soccer Star (Tourette Syndrome & ADHD)
Rick Hoyt – Ironman Triathlon Athlete (Cerebral Palsy)
Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner – Track Star (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Magic Johnson – Basketball Star (Dyslexia)
Michael Jordan – Basketball Star (ADHD)
Esmond Knight – Actor (Visually Impaired)
Blake Leeper- Track and Field Athlete (Amputee athlete)
Jewel Lloyd – WNBA Player (Dyslexia)
Carrie Lofgren – Rowing Athlete (Dyslexia)
Greg Louganis – Diver (Dyslexia)
Glenn Malmskog – Stuntman (Amputee athlete)
Peyton Manning – NFL Star (Cleft)
Curt Marsh – Football Player (Amputee athlete)
Guy Martin – Motorcycle Racer (Asperger’s)
Clay Marzo – Surfer (Asperger’s)
Mike May – Skier (Visually Impaired)
Brian McKeever – Skier (Visually Impaired)
Ljubo Milicevic – Soccer Player (Cleft)
Steven Naismith – Soccer Player (Dyslexia)
Nick Newell – MMA Fighter (Congenital Amputee athlete)
Diamond Dallas Page – Wrestler (Dyslexia)
Amy Palmiero-Winters – Sports World Record Holder (Amputee athlete)
Bruce Payne – Actor (Spina Bifida)
Michael Phelps – Olympic Swimmer (ADHD)
Sarah Reinertsen – Track Athlete (Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency)
Sir Steven Redgrave – Olympic Rower (Dyslexia)
Scott Rigsby – Ironman Champion & Speaker (Amputee athlete)
Marcelo Ríos – Tennis Player (Asperger’s)
Pete Rose – Baseball Star (ADHD)
Marla Runyan – Track & Field Athlete (Visually Impaired)
Babe Ruth – Baseball Legend (ADHD)
Nolan Ryan – MLB Player (Dyslexia)
Rex Ryan – NFL Coach (Dyslexia)
Mark Schlereth – NFL Player (Dyslexia)
Zohar Sharon – Pro Golfer (Visually Impaired)
Karina Smirnoff – Professional Dancer (ADHD)
Brett Smrz – Stunt Performer (Amputee athlete)
Linus Söderström – NHL Hockey Player (Asperger’s)
Scott Sonnon – Martial Arts Champion (Dyslexia)
Sir Jackie Stewart – Racecar Driver(Dyslexia)
Tim Tebow – NFL Player & Baseball Player (Dyslexia)
Jerry Traylor – Mountaineer (Cerebral Palsy)
Shane Victorino – Major League Baseball Player (ADHD)
Codi Ware – Racecar Driver (Asperger’s)
Erik Weihenmayer – Athlete Adventurer (Visually Impaired)
Tom Whittaker – Mountaineer (Amputee athlete)
Justin Wilson – Indycar Driver (Dyslexia)
Buddy Winnett – Horse Jockey (Spina Bifida)
Charles Woodson – Football Star (Clubfoot)
Kristi Yamaguchi – Figure Skater (Clubfoot)
Alex Zanardi – Racing Driver (Amputee athlete)

Famous Paralympians

One of the UK’s most popular famous disabled female athletes is Paralympic swimming medalist Ellie Simmonds. The Daily Record reported:

“Born with achondroplasia, a genetic mutation which causes dwarfism, she refused to let her disability define her. She battled back from painful surgery to straighten her legs and became Britain’s youngest ever individual medallist.”

These famous paralympians have more than 10 gold medals (and many other silver or bronze!):

Maria Batalova – Paralympic Ice Hockey Player (Cerebral Palsy)
Daniel Dias – Paralympic Swimmer (Limb Deficiency)
Michael Edgson – Paralympic Swimmer (Visually Impaired)
George Louis Eyser – Olympic Gymnast (Amputee athlete)
Heinz Frei – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Amputee Athlete)
Béatrice Hess – Paralympic Swimmer (Cereral Palsy)
Frank Höfle – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Visually Impaired)
Mike Kenny – Paralympic Swimmer (Paralysis)
Jonas Jacobsson – Paralympic Shooter (Paralysis)
Roberto Marson – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Paralysis)
Reinhild Moeller – Paralympic Skiier (Amputee Athlete)
Amie Mullins – Paralympic Athlete (Amputee athlete)
Ragnhild Myklebust – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Polio)
Mayumi Narita – Paralympic Swimmer (Paralysis)
Franz Nietlispach – Paralympic Athlete (Amputee Athlete)
Chantal Petitclerc – Paralympic Athlete (Paralysis)
Oscar Pistorius – Paralympic Athlete (Fibular Hemimelia – Amputee athlete)
Erin Popovich – Paralympic Swimmer (Achondroplasia)
Zipora Rubin-Rosenbaum – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Polio)
Gerd Schoenfelder – Paralympic Skiier (Limb Deficiency)
Ellie Simmonds – Paralympic Swimmer (Achondroplasia Dwarfism)
Sarah Storey – Paralympic Multi-Sport Athlete (Limb Deficiency)
Trischa Zorn – Paralympic Swimmer (Visually Impaired)

Famous Paralympians at the Tokyo Olympics

Ricardo Ten Argiles – Paralympic Cyclist (Amputee athlete)
Scout Bassett – Paralympic Track & Field Athlete (Amputee athlete)
Jannik Blair – Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian (Paralysis)
McKenzie Coan – Paralympic Swimmer (Brittle Bone Disease)
Carol Cooke – Paralympic Cyclist (Multiple Sclerosis)
Joe Delagrave – Wheelchair Rugby Paralympian(Spinal cord injury)
Amanda Dennis – Goalball Paralympian (Visually Impaired)
Lucy Ejike – Powerlifting Paralympian (Polio)
WANG Jiachao – Paralympic Triathlete (Amputee athlete)
Jefinho – Paralympic Soccer Player (Visually Impaired)
Jessica Long – Paralympic Swimmer (Amputee athlete)
Juan Diego Garcia Lopez – Taekwondo Paralympian (Limb deficiency)
Kaleo Kanahele Maclay – Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Athlete (Clubfoot)
Scott Martlew – Paralympic Canoeing (Limb deficiency)
Oksana Masters – Paralympic Road Cyclist (Radiation-induced birth defects)
Tatyana McFadden – Paralympic Track & Field Athlete (Spina Bifida)
Zara Nemati – Paralympic Archery (Paralysis)
Nicky Nieves – Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Athlete (Limb deficiency)
Leani Ratri Oktila – Paralympic Badminton (Limb deficiency)
Roman Polianskyi – Paralympic Rower (Paralysis)
Markus Rehm – Paralympic Long Jumper (Amputee athlete)
Eduardo Avila Sanchez – Paralmypic Judo (Visually Impaired)
Allysa Seely – Paralympic Triathlete (Amputee athlete)
David Smith – Paralympic Boccia (Cerebral Palsy)
Melissa Stockwell – Paralympic Triathlete (Amputee athlete)
Melissa Tapper – Table Tennis Paralympian (Erb’s Palsy)
Sanne Voets – Paralympic Equestrian (Limb deficiency)
Mallory Weggemann – Paralympic Swimmer (Paralysis)
Jordanne Whiley – Wheelchair Tennis Paralympian (Osteogenesis Imperfecta)
TANG Xuemei – Sitting Volleyball Paralympian (Amputee athlete)
YU CHUI YEE Alison – Wheelchair Fencing Paralympian (Amputee athlete)

Famous Scientists with Disabilities [and Inventors]

Many of these scientists are rumored to have a disability. Among famous people with learning disabilities is Temple Grandin, who is very open about being on the autism spectrum.

(image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (Asperger’s)
Baruj Benacerraf – Physiologist (Dyslexia)
Richard Borcherds – Mathematician (Asperger’s)
Louis Braille – Inventor (Visually Impaired)
Dr. Janice Brunstrom-Hernandez – Neurologist (Cerebral Palsy)
Henry Cavendish – Scientist (Asperger’s)
Simon Clemment – Scientist (Dyslexia)
James Clerk Maxwell – Scientist (Dyslexia)
Pierre Curie – Physicist (Dyslexia)
Harvey Cushing – Surgeon (Dyslexia)
Charles Darwin – Naturalist (Asperger’s)
Jacques Dubochet – Biophysicist (Dyslexia)
Thomas Edison – Inventor (Asperger’s & Dysgraphia)
Albert Einstein – Scientist (Asperger’s & Dysgraphia)
Leonhard Euler – Mathematician (Visually Impaired)
Albert Einstein – Mathematician (Dyslexia)
Michael Faraday – Scientist (Dyslexia)
Tom Francis – AIDS Researcher (Dyslexia)
Galileo Galilei – Astronomer (Visually Impaired & Dyslexia)
Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (Dyslexia)
Temple Grandin – Scientist (Asperger’s)
Carol Greider – Biologist (Dyslexia)
Stephen Hawking – Physicist (ALS)

What disability did Stephen Hawking have? The famous Physicist was diagnosed with ALS in 1963.

Hawking taking a zero-gravity flight in a reduced-gravity aircraft, April 2007 (image source: Wikipedia Public Domain)

Oliver Heaviside – Physicist (Asperger’s)
John Robert Horner – Paleontologist (Dyslexia)
Alfred Kinsey – Scientist (Asperger’s)
William P. Lear – Inventor (Dyslexia)
Dr. William Moon – Inventor (Visually Impaired)
Bernard Morin – Mathematician (Visually Impaired)
John Nash – Mathematician (Acute Paranoid Schizophrenia & Asperger’s)

Mathematician John Nash is one of the most famous people with intellectual disabilities. The 2001 film A Beautiful Mind was based on the story of his life managing his disabilities.

Nash Pictured in 2011 (image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Abraham Nemeth – Inventor & Mathematician (Visually Impaired)
Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician (Asperger’s)
Louis Pasteur – Scientist (Dyslexia)
Joseph Plateau – Physicist (Visually Impaired)
Archer John Porter Martin – Chemist (Dyslexia)
Dawn Prince-Hughes – Scientist (Asperger’s)
John Robert Skoyles – Brain Researcher (Dyslexia)
Anne Sullivan – American Teacher of Helen Keller (Visually Impaired)
Alan Turing – Mathematician (Asperger’s)
Wener Von Braun – Aerospace (Dyslexia)
John Wesley Powell – Scientist (Amputee)
Eli Whitney – Inventor (Dyslexia)
Ludwig Wittgenstein – Logician (Asperger’s)
The Wright Brothers – Aviation Inventors (Dyslexia)

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Entrepreneurs with Disabilities [& Leaders with Disabilities]

This list of famous successful people with disabilities includes politicians, company creators, and activists. Does Erin Brockovich have Dyslexia? The famous environmental activist struggled with her learning disability in school but has still been very successful. She said:

“Life is full of challenges whether you are learning disabled or not. It’s how you handle those challenges.”

Brockovich speaking at the Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo in Phoenix, AZ – October 2016 (Image source: Gage Skidmore)

Annie Antón – Founder of ThePrivacyPlace.org (ADHD)
Thomas Rhodes Armitage – Founder of Royal National Institute for the Blind (Visually Impaired)
Princess Beatrix of York – British Royal family member (Dyslexia)
Michael Bennett – U.S. Senator (Dyslexia)
Richard H. Bernstein – Politician (Visually Impaired)
Blondinbella – Swedish Entrepreneur & Author (ADHD & Asperger’s)
Dr. Jacob Bolotin – 1st Blind Physician (Visually Impaired)
David Blunkett – British Politician (Visually Impaired)
RaShad Birsto – 1st Police Academy Graduate with one arm (Congenital Amputee)
Adam Bradford – Activist & Entrepreneur (Asperger’s)
Sir Richard Branson – Entrepreneur (ADHD & Dyspraxia)
Ralph Braun – Entrepreneur (Muscular Dystrophy)
Erin Brockovich – Activist (Dyslexia)
Gordon Brown – UK Prime Minister (Visually Impaired)
Emma Lowell-Buck – Political Figure (Dyspraxia)
Warren Buffet – Berkshire Hathaway (Dyslexia)
Michael Burry – U.S. Investment Fund Manager (Asperger’s)
Neil Bush – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
Brisco Cain – Politician (Asperger’s)
Dan Carter – Politician (Dyslexia)
John Chambers – CISCO (Dyslexia)
Winston Churchill – Politician & Author (Dyslexia)
Max Cleland – American Politician (Amputee)
Timothy Clifford – British Art Historian (Dyslexia)
Gary Cohn – Business Leader (Dyslexia)
Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr. – Astronaut (Dyslexia)
Jessica Cox – Pilot & Disability Activist (Amelia Birth Defect)
Paul Dewar – Canadian Politician (Dyslexia)
Walt Disney – Disney Creator (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Tim Ferriss – Author (Dyslexia & Dysgraphia)

(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.”

Alexander Faludy – Youngest Cambridge Graduate in 200 Years (Dyslexia)
Steve Fielding – Australian Politician (Dyslexia)
Benjamin Franklin – U.S. Politician (Asperger’s)
Henry Ford – Industrialist (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Bill Gates – Entrepreneur (Asperger’s)
Benn Glenn – Professional Speaker (ADHD)
Al Gore – Politician (Asperger’s)
Jeff Greenfield – Political Analyst (Asperger’s)
Cyrus Habib – Politician (Visually Impaired)
Tommy Hilfiger – Clothing Designer (Dyslexia)
Howard Hughes – Entrepreneur (Tourette Syndrome)
Thomas Gore – U.S. Politician (Visually Impaired)
Carl XVI Gustaf – King of Sweden (Dyslexia)
Reyn Guyer – NERF & Twister (Dyslexia)
Michael Heseltine – Politician (Dyslexia)
William Hunt Gross – Investor & Philanthropist (Asperger’s)
Howard Hughes – American Businessperson (Asperger’s)
Daniel Inouye – U.S. Senator (Amputee)
Jesse Jackson – Civil Rights Activist (Cleft)
Thomas Jefferson – U.S. President (Asperger’s)
Steve Jobs – Apple Co-founder (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Margaux Joffe – Producer & ADHD Community Leader (ADHD)
Barbara Jordan – Politician (Multiple Sclerosis)

Are there famous disabled people of color?

Yes, absolutely! Known for her work as a Civil Rights Activist, Barbara Jordan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis later in 1973, according to Wikipedia.

Barbara Jordan, member of the United States House of Representatives. (image source: Wikipedia, Public Domain)

Ingvar Kamprad – IKEA (Dyslexia)
Scott Kelly – Astronaut (ADHD)
Edward Moore Kennedy, Jr. – Politician (Amputee)
John F. Kennedy – U.S. President (ADHD)
Bob Kerrey – U.S. Politician (Amputee)
Michael Kutcher – Entrepreneur & CP Advocate (Cerebral Palsy)
Don Blas de Lezo – Spanish Navy Officer (Amputee)
Daniel Lightwing – Internet Gambling Business Co-Founder (Asperger’s)
Lawrence Carter-Long – Disability Activist (Cerebral Palsy)
Abraham Lincoln – U.S. President (Asperger’s)
Andrew Lourake – Active Duty Military Pilot (Amputee)
Ludwig II – King of Bavaria (Asperger’s)
Lindsay Mason – Politician (Asperger’s)
Craig McCaw – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
O.D. McKee – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
David Murdock – Businessman (Dyslexia)
Elon Musk – Tesla & SpaceX Co-Founder (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Timothé Nadim – French Politician (Asperger’s)
David Neeleman – Aviation Entrepreneur (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Lisa Nowak – American Astronaut (Asperger’s)
King Olaf of Norway – Monarch (Dyslexia)
Paul Orfalea – Founder of Kinko’s (ADHD)
David Alexander Paterson – Politician (Visually Impaired)
Kerry Packer – Media Tycoon (Dyslexia)
George Patton – Military General (Dysgraphia & Dyslexia)
Carl Phillip – Prince of Sweden (Dyslexia)
Geoff Plant – Politician (Cleft)
Joseph Pulitzer – Newspaper Publisher (Visually Impaired)
Omar Abdel-Rahman – Egyptian Sheikh (Visually Impaired)
Lee Raymond – Entrepreneur (Cleft)
David Ring – Motivational Speaker (Cerebral Palsy)
Thomas Ritter – Famous Attorney (Cerebral Palsy)
Nelson Rockefeller – Former United States Vice President (Dyslexia)
Anita Roddick – The Body Shop (Dyslexia)
Franklin D. Roosevelt – U.S. President (Polio & Paraplegia)
Harilyn Rousso – Disability Rights Activist (Visually & Hearing Impaired)
Carlos Slim – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
Kerry Stokes – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
Lord Alan Sugar – Entrepreneur (Dyslexia)
Satoshi Tajiri – Pokemon Inventor (Asperger’s)
Nikola Tesla – Inventor of Electric Motors (Asperger’s)
Donald Trump – U.S. President (Asperger’s & ADHD)
Barron Trump – Public Figure & Donald Trump’s Son (ADHD)
Penelope Trunk – Entrepreneur & Author (Asperger’s)
Ted Turner – Media Proprietor (Dyslexia)
King Tutankhamun – Egyptian Pharaoh (Cleft)
Bill Veeck – MLB Franchise Owner (Amputee)
Nick Vujicic – Evangelist (Tetra Amelia Syndrome)
Abdurrahman Wahid – Former Indonesian President (Visually Impaired)
Stephen Wampler – Motivational Speaker (Cerebral Palsy)
George Washington – U.S. President (Asperger’s)
William Wrigley Jr. – Wrigley Chewing Gum (Dyslexia)
Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook Founder (Asperger’s)

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Authors with Disabilities [and Poets]

There are loads of famous disabled authors and poets. Agatha Christie is a well-known author who has been diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. A blog about Agatha Christie said:

“In no way did dyslexia stop Agatha from learning to write well and establishing herself in a creative profession so dominated by men.”

Famous Dyslexic Author Agatha Christie pictured in 1964 (image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Scott Adams – Comic Book Writer (Dyslexia)
Carmen Agra Deedy – Author (Dyslexia)
Syed Talha Ahsan – Poet (Asperger’s)
Hans Christian Anderson – Author (Dyslexia)
Louise Arnold – Writer (Dyslexia)
Isaac Asimov – Author (Asperger’s)
Tilly Aston – Writer (Visually Impaired)
Jane Austen – Writer (Asperger’s)
Avi – Writer (Dyslexia)
Daantjie Badenhorst – Journalist & Author (Asperger’s)
Kage Baker – Writer (Asperger’s)
Jeanne Betancourt – Writer (Dyslexia)
Robert Bolaño – Novelist (Dyslexia)
Henry Bond – Writer (Asperger’s)
Jorge Luis Borges – Writer (Visually Impaired)
Axel Brauns – Writer (Asperger’s)
Chrisann Brennan – Writer (Dyslexia)
Christy Brown – Author (Cerebral Palsy)
Octavia Estelle Butler – Writer (Dyslexia)
Stacey R. Campbell – Writer (Dyslexia)
Stephen Cannell – Novelist (Dyslexia)
Lewis Carroll – Author (Dyslexia)
G K Chesterton – Writer (Dyspraxia)
Agatha Christie – Author (Dysgraphia & Dyslexia)
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – Poet (Dyspraxia)
Todd Rafael Cimino – Novelist (Asperger’s)
Jennifer Cook O’Toole – Writer (Asperger’s)
Anderson Cooper – Journalist (Dyslexia)
Fanny Crosby – Poet (Visually Impaired)
Chip Delaney – Author (Dyslexia)
Emily Dickinson – Poet (Asperger’s)
Charles Dickinson – Writer (Asperger’s)
Joni Eareckson Tada – Author (Quadriplegia)
Tim Ellis – Australian Author & Magician (Asperger’s)
Katherine Ellison – Author (ADHD)
F. Scott Fitzgerald – Author (Dyslexia)
Fannie Flagg – Author & Actress (Dyslexia)
Gustave Flaubert – Writer (Dyslexia)
Richard Ford – Author (Dyslexia)
Jay Bradford Fowler – Author & Poet (Spina Bifida)
Sally Gardner – Writer (Dyslexia)
Gunilla Gerland – Author (Asperger’s)
Jhamak Ghimire – Writer (Cerebral Palsy)
Terry Goodkind – Author (Dyslexia)
Temple Grandin – Writer (Asperger’s)
Ian Gregson – Author & Poet (Amputee)
Wendy Harmer – Author & Media Personality (Cleft)
Dan Harmon – Writer (Asperger’s)
Robert Hensel – Author (Spina Bifida)
Liane Holliday Willey – Author (Asperger’s)
John Charles Hockenberry – Author & Journalist (Paraplegia)
John Irving – Screenwriter (Dyslexia)
Luke Jackson – Author (Asperger’s)
Dr. Samuel Johnson – Writer (Tourette Syndrome)
Franz Kafka – Writer (Asperger’s)
Garrison Keillor – Writer (Asperger’s)
Helen Keller – Author (Visually Impaired)
Sherrilyn Kenyon – Author (Dyslexia)
Jack Kerouac – Writer (Dyspraxia)
Rosie King – Writer (Asperger’s)
Lynda La Plant – Writer (Dyslexia)
JF Lawton – Screenwriter (Dyslexia)
Lisa Ling – Journalist, Author, & TV Personality (ADHD)
Audre Lorde – Poet (Visually Impaired)
H. P. Lovecraft – Writer (Asperger’s)
Jacques Lusseyran – Author (Visually Impaired)
Anne McDonald – Author (Cerebral Palsy)
Tom McLaughlin – Author (Dyslexia)
Lousie Mensch – Blogger & Novelist (ADHD)
John Milton – Writer (Visually Impaired)
A.R. Morlan – Author (Asperger’s)
Caiseal Mor – Writer (Dyslexia)
Don Mullan – Author (Dyslexia)
Jerry Newport – Author & Mathematical Savant (Asperger’s)
Chris Nolan – Author & Poet (Cerebral Palsy)
Brendan O’Carroll – Writer & Comedian (Dyslexia)
Bonner Paddock (Cerebral Palsy)
David Allen Patterson – Author & Researcher (ADHD)
Tim Page – Pulitzer Prize Author (Asperger’s)
Dav Pilkey – Author & Illustrator (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Jerry Pinkney – Author (Dyslexia)
Katie Piper – Author (Visually Impaired)
Patricia Polacco – Writer (Dyslexia)
Markku Tapani Pölönen – Screenwriter (Asperger’s)
John Quinn – Author & Ware Veteran (Cerebral Palsy)
John Elder Robinson – Author (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
George Bernard Shaw – Writer (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer – Author & Activist (Cerebral Palsy)
Rudy Simone – Author (Asperger’s)
Eileen Simpson – Poet (Dyslexia)
Paul Sinha – Comedian (Parkinson’s)
Bonnie St. John – Author & Paralympic Athlete (Amputee)
Surdas – Poet & Singer (Visually Impaired)
Susanna Tamaro – Author (Asperger’s)
Daniel Tammet – Novelist & Poet (Asperger’s)
Bernard Taylor – Playwright (Dyslexia)
Raymond Thompson – Scriptwriter (Asperger’s)
Henry Thoreau – Writer (Asperger’s)
Sue Townsend – Writer (Visually Impaired)
Mark Twain – Writer (Asperger’s)
Jules Verne – Writer (Dyslexia)
Victor Villaseñor – Author (Dyslexia)

Victor Villaseñor’s books gained popularity in the United States despite the popular author dropping out of school in 11th grade. According to Dyslexic Help:

“Unknown to both himself and others until well into his adult life, Victor Villasenor was dyslexic – a disability he later called his gift which allowed him to ‘see patterns that other people couldn’t see.”

Villaseñor in 2015 (image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Michael Wolff – Author (Tourette Syndrome)
Virginia Woolf – Writer (Asperger’s)
W.B. Yeats – Poet (Dyslexia)
Ahmet Zappa – Writer (Dyslexia)

Musicians with Disabilities

Ray Charles known as the pioneer of soul music is one of the most famous musicians with disabilities. An article on Ray Charles says:

“Ray Charles did not lose his sight until he was about seven years old. Years later, doctors suggested that juvenile glaucoma had caused his blindness. But Charles always maintained that his visual impairment never hindered his career in any way.”

Ray Charles performing in 1971. (image source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons)

Rick Allen – Drummer (Amputee)
Adam Ant – Singer (Bipolar Disorder)
Apl.de.ap – rapper (Visually Impaired)
Frankie Armstrong – Folk Singer (Visually Impaired)
Lil B – Rapper (Asperger’s)
Mel B – Musician (ADHD)
Johann Sebastian Bach – Composer (Visually Impaired)
Carmit Bachar – Singer (Cleft)
Sven Anders Bagge – Composer (ADHD)
Syd Barrett – Musician (Schizophrenia)
Geoff Barrow – Musician (Dyslexia)
Bella Bartok – Composer (Asperger’s)
Ludwig van Beethoven – Composer (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Harry Belafonte – Singer (Dyslexia)
Tony Bennett – Singer (Dyslexia)
Andrea Boccelli – Composer (Visually Impaired – Congenital Glaucoma)
Mark Boerbach – Musical Savant (Asperger’s)
Charles “Buddy” Bolden – Musician (Schizophrenia)
Park Bom – Singer (ADHD)
Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent Singer (Asperger’s)
Anton Bruckner – Composer(Asperger’s)
Aaron Bruno – Singer (ADHD)
Dan Bull – Rapper (Asperger’s)
David Byrne – Singer (Asperger’s)
Celine Byrne – Irish Soprano (Dyslexia)
Loyle Carner – Hip-Hop Musician (ADHD)
Clarence Carter – Singer (Visually Impaired)
Ray Charles – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Cher – Singer & Actress (Dyslexia)
Stewart Copeland – Musician (Dyslexia)
Frederick Delius – Composer (Paraplegic & Visually Impaired)
John Denver – Musician (Asperger’s)
Zooey Deschanel – Musician, Actress & Model (ADHD)
James Durbin – American Idol Singer (Asperger’s)
Bob Dylan – Musician (Asperger’s)
Joseph Eber – Musician (Asperger’s)
Billie Eilish – Singer (Tourette Syndrome)
Dorian Electra – Musician (ADHD)
Eminem – Rapper (Asperger’s)
Example – Musician & Rapper (ADHD & Asperger’s )
Dex Fafara – Musician (ADHD)
Paloma Faith – Musician (Dyslexia)
Jose Feliciano – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Ella Fitzgerald – Jazz Singer (Amputee & Visually Impaired)
Mick Fleetwood – Drummer (Dyslexia)
Paul Frappier – Musician (Dyslexia)
Noel Gallagher – Musician (Dyslexia)
Glenn Gould – Pianist (Asperger’s)
Peter Green – Musician (Schizophrenia)
W.C. Handy – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Tom Harrell – Musician (Schizophrenia)
Jamie Grace Harper – Musician (Tourette Syndrome)
Richard Hawley – Musician (Cleft)
Jeff Healey – Vocalist (Visually Impaired)
David Helfgott – Pianist (Asperger’s)
Bill Hewlett – Hewlett Packard (Dyslexia)
Al Hibbler – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Tony Iommi – Guitarist (Amputee)
Michael Jackson – Musician (Asperger’s)
Blind Lemon Jefferson – Blue Singer (Visually Impaired)
Jewel – Singer (Dyslexia)
Elton John – Singer (Epilepsy)
Kerry Katona – Singer & Songwriter (ADHD)
Chief Keef – Rapper (Asperger’s)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Kleerup – Musician (ADHD)
Solange Knowles – Singer (ADHD)
Roger Kynard – Musician (Schizophrenia)
Stalebread Lacombe – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Ladyhawke – Musician (Asperger’s)
Francesco Landini – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Left at London – Singer & Comedian (ADHD)
Denise Leigh – Singer (Visually Impaired)
John Lennon – Musician (ADHD & Dyslexia)
Juice Leskinen – Musician (Asperger’s)
Adam Levine – Musician & Entrepreneur (ADHD)
Abz Love – Rapper (Asperger’s)
Courtney Love – Singer (Asperger’s)
Joyner Lucas – Rapper & Producer (ADHD)
Shane Lynch – Musician (Dyslexia)
Rita MacNeil – Singer (Cleft)
Gustav Mahler – Composer (Asperger’s)
Marie-Mai – Musician (ADHD)
Blind Willie McTell – Singer (Visually Impaired)
John Cougar Mellencamp – Musician (Spina Bifida)
Joe Meek – Record Producer (Schizophrenia)
Travis Meeks – Musician (Asperger’s)
Ronnie Milsap – Singer (Visually Impaired)
Gilbert Montagne – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Josh Morgan – Drummer (Asperger’s)
Bob Mosley – Musician (Schizophrenia)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Composer (ADHD, Asperger’s & Tourette Syndrome)
Rich Mullins – Christian Singer/Songwriter (Asperger’s)
Ari Ne’eman – Activist (Asperger’s)
Craig Nicholls – Musician (Asperger’s)
Gary Numan – Singer & Songwriter (Asperger’s)
Ginny Owens – Gospel Singer (Visually Impaired)
Ozzy Osbourne – Musician (Dyslexia)
Maria Theresa Paradis – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Tom Paxton – Singer & Songwriter (ADHD)
Teddy Pendergrass – Singer (Paraplegia)
Itzhak Perlman – Violinist (Polio)
Greg Puciato – Musician (ADHD)
Loud Reed – Musician (Dyslexia)
Chris Robinson – Musician (Dyslexia)
Joaquin Rodrigo – Composer (Visually Impaired)
Todd Rundgren – Instrumentalist (ADHD)
Eric Satie – Composer (Asperger’s)
Savant – Musician (Asperger’s)
George Shearing – Pianist (Visually Impaired)
Arnolt Schlick – Organist (Visually Impaired)
Caryl Simon – Singer (Dyslexia)
Slushii – Musician (Asperger’s)
Elliot Smith – Singer & Songwriter (ADHD)
Brittney Spears – Musician (ADHD)
Alexander “Skip” Spence – Musician (Schizophrenia)
John Stanley – Composer (Visually Impaired)
Gwen Stefani – Singer (Dyslexia)

Gwen Stefani of No Doubt at Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day in Washington DC (image source: Lorie Shaull)

Joss Stone – Singer (Dyslexia)
Richard Strauss – Composer (Asperger’s & Dyslexia)
Richard Straus – Composer (Dyslexia)
James Taylor – Musician (Asperger’s)
Alec Templeton – Composer (Visually Impaired)
Ronan Tynan – Musician (Amputee)
Magnus Uggla – Composer (ADHD)
Carrie Underwood – Musician & Actress (ADHD)
Brendon Urie – Musician (ADHD)
Doc Watson – Musician (Visually Impaired)
Chris Webby – Rapper (ADHD)
Bob Weir – Musician (Dyslexia)
Ben Weinman – Musician (ADHD)
Florence Welch – Singer (Dyspraxia & Dyslexia)
Billy West – Musician & Voice Actor (ADHD)
Tom Wiggins – Pianist (Visually Impaired)
Will.i.am – Rapper & Producer (ADHD)
Hank Williams – Singer (Spina Bifida)
Robbie Williams – Singer (Asperger’s)
Johnny Winter — Musician (OCD)
Stevie Wonder – Pianist (Visually Impaired)
Adam Young – Musician (Asperger’s)

Comedians with Disabilities

One of the funniest comedians with disabilities is Josh Blue. These famous people with disabilities are sure to give you a good laugh!

Winner of the television program Last Comic Standing Josh Blue gets the crowd laughing during a holiday concert aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) (image source: Wikipedia)

Bethany Black – Comedian (ADHD)
Josh Blue – Comedian (Cerebral Palsy)
Raphael Bob-Waksburg – Comedian, Actor, & Producer (ADHD)
Russell Brand – Comedian & Actor (ADHD)
Noah Britton – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group (Asperger’s)
Alex Brooker – Comedian & Journalist (Amputee)
Trip Carey – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group (Asperger’s)
Steady Eddy – Comedian (Cerebral Palsy)
Ethan Finlan – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group (Asperger’s)
Chris Fonseca – Comedian (Cerebral Palsy)
Hannah Gadsby – Comedian & Actress (ADHD)
Rick Green – Comedian (ADHD)
Jack Hanke – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group (Asperger’s)
Ryan Higa – Comedian (ADHD)
Adam Hills- Comedian & Entertainment Personality (Amputee)
Michael Ingemi – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group (Asperger’s)
Lee Mack – Comedian & Actor (ADHD)
Howie Mandel – Comedian (ADHD)
Cheech Marin – Comedian & Actor (Cleft)
Patrick McKenna – Comedian (ADHD)
Michael Palin – Comedian (Asperger’s)
Nikki Payne – Comedian (Cleft)
Nabil Abdul Rashid – Comedian (ADHD)
Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian(Asperger’s)
Robert White – Comedian (Asperger’s)
Maysoon Zayid – Comedian & Actress (Cerebral Palsy)

What disability does the kid from Stranger Things have?

Two of the cast members of Stranger Things have been successful in their acting careers. Millie Bobby Brown is hearing impaired according to Glamour Magazine.

Millie Brown speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con (image source: Gage Skidmore)

And CBS News reported that actor:

“has cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition which affects the development of the teeth and bones. His character on the Netflix series, Dustin, also has the condition.”

Gaten Matarazzo speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. (image source: Gage)

Famous Blind Singers, Musicians & Composers

Andrea Angel Bocelli a famous blind opera singer at a performance image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Jakub Janecki

Here’s a list of famous blind people who have musical talents:

Tsutomu Aragaki — famous blind singer and tenor
Garret Barry — famous blind musician
Blind Blake — famous blind guitarist and singer
Andrea Angel Bocelli — famous blind Italian singer
Ricky Boon – famous blind guitarist from the Australian thrash metal band Fury
Clarence Carter — famous blind singer of soul music
Ray Charles — famous blind pianist and musician who pioneered rhythm and blues
José Montserrate Feliciano García — famous blind composer, singer, and guitarist most-known his single “Feliz Navidad”
Casey Harris — blind keyboardist and founding member of X Ambassadors
Jeff Healey — famous blind guitarist and musican
Al Hibbler — famous blind singer most-known for “Unchained Melody”
Ravindra Jain — famous blind composer and musician from India
Lemon Henry “Blind Lemon” Jefferson — famous blind guitarist and gospel/blues singer-songwriter
Rahsaan Roland Kirk — one of the most famous blind musicians and jazz multi-instrumentalist, playing tenor saxophone, flute, and others
William Samuel McTell — famous blind guitartist, blues singer, and songwriter known as Blind Willie McTell
Ronnie Lee Milsap — famous blind pianist and country music singer
Alec Templeton — famous blind composer, pianist, and satirist
The Blind Boys of Alabama — a changing group of famous blind singers and gospel hall of famers who sang at the White House during the Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama administrations
John Stanley – famous blind composer and organist
Helmut Walcha — German organist who recorded the organ works of Bach
Blind Willie Walker — famous blind guitarist and singer
Doc Watson — famous blind guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music
Blind Tom Wiggins – famous blind pianist and composer
Stevie Wonder — famous blind piano player and singer
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu — Aboriginal Australian blind musician

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Leaders, Entrepreneurs, & Politicians

famous blind leaders — Tiffany Brar a famous blind leader and social activist image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Kleinhansl

These leaders are famous blind people today and from the past:

Richard H. Bernstein — blind disability rights activist and American attorney
David Blunkett — first blind person to hold a ministerial position in Great Britain
Tiffany Brar – blind social activist
Gordon Brown — 52nd Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Francis Joseph Campbell — co-founder of the Royal National College for the Blind
Haben Girma – Disability rights advocate, first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School
Juan Carlos González Leiva — a blind attorney and human rights activist in Cuba
Thomas Gore — blind Democratic politician
Ashish Goyal — first blind trader in finance
Kenneth Jernigan – Long-time leader of the National Federation of the Blind
Sophia Matilda — blind Princess from the United Kingdom
Robin Millar – famous blind record producer and philanthropist
David Alexander Paterson — first legally blind person to be sworn in as governor of a U.S. state
Franklin Delano Roosevelt — past U.S. President and one of the most famous people blind in on eye
Sabriye Tenberken – Braille Without Borders co-founder
Louis the Blind – 10th century European king, blinded after being captured
Harriet Tubman — abolisionsit and humanitarian who became blind from injuries
Abdurrahman Wahid — served as the President of Indonesia

Famous Blind Painters, Artists, & Photographers

blind artist painter — A portrait of famous blind artist Claude Monet image source Wikimedia Creative Commons

These famous blind people used their artistic talents to be successful:

Esref Armagan — famous blind painter from Turkey
John Bramblitt – famous blind artist and painter
Francesca Alexander — American illustrator who lost her sight in her final years
Claude Monet — famous blind artist and French painter
Keith Salmon – English painter & sculptor
James Thurber — famous blind artist and cartoonist most known for his contributions to New Yorker Magazine
Carleton Watkins — famous blind landscape photographer

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Writers & Poets

famous blind writer helen keller — Famous blind writer Helen Keller in 1920 image source US Copyright Public Domain

Here’s a list of famous blind people who are known for their writing:

Helen Adams Keller — American author, activist, and the first blind person to graduate from college
Matilda Ann Aston — Australian blind writer and teacher who founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind
Jorge Luis Borges — short-story writer, essayist, poet, and translator
John Lee Clark — famous blind poet
Homer – Ancient Greek famous blind poet known for his poems Iliad and Odyssey
Taha Hussein — blind writer from Egypt
Aldous Huxley — blind writer and Philospher from England
James Joyce — famous blind man and Irish writer
Ed Lucas – blind sports writer covering the New York Yankees
John Milton — famous blind poet and prose polemicist from England
Nikolai Ostrovsky — famous blind writer from Russia
Joseph Pulitzer — Hungarian-American publisher best known for creating the Pulitzer Prizes
Surdas — famous blind poet and Hindu singer
Susan Townsend — English novelist known for the Adrian Mole series
Jack Vance — blind writer of the fantasy and science fiction genres

Famous Blind Athletes

These famous blind athletes have made history in their sport:

Zeeshan Abbasi – Blind cricketer
Muhammad Akram – Blind cricketer
Jessica Gallagher — legally blind athlete representing Australia in three sports: skiing, athletics and cycling
Miles Hilton-Barber – blind British adventurer and climber
James Holman — first blind person to circumnavigate the globe
Chris Holmes — famous blind swimmer and House of Lords member from the UK
Masood Jan – Blind cricketer
Cedric Jones — famous visually impaired person and NFL player
Tofiri Kibuuka – one of the first three blind people to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the African competitor at the Winter Paralympic Games
Sam Langford — blind boxer from Canada
Suzanne Lenglen — French tennis player who lost her eyesight
Shekhar Naik – Blind cricketer
Jackie Robinson — famous baseball player who went blind in middle age
Marla Runyan — marathon runner who is legally blind
Suranga Sampath – Blind cricketer
Zohar Sharon – Blind golfer
Crazzy Steve – legally blind professional wrestler
Henry Wanyoike – Long-distance runner with 95% vision loss
Erik Weihenmayer — the first famous blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001
Trischa Zorn — famous blind athlete and paralympic swimmer

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Scientists, Doctors, & Mathematicians

Dr J W Bolotin a famous blind doctor sitting at a desk in a room reading Braille text with his left hand and typing with his right hand in a room image source Wikimedia Public Domain

Thomas Rhodes Armitage — British physician, and founder of the Royal National Institute of Blind People
Dr. Jacob Bolotin — the first man born blind to become fully licensed to practice medicine
Amy Bower – American oceanographer
Louis Braille — the famous blind man who invented Braille
Gustaf Dalén – Swedish blind inventor and Nobel Prize winner
Leonhard Euler — blind mathematician and physicist
Galileo Galilei — Italian astronomer, mathematician, physicist, and philosopher
Dr. Abraham Nemeth — famous blind mathematician and inventor
Joseph Plateau — famous blind Belgian physicist

Famous Blind Actors & Entertainment Personalities

christine ha famous blind celebrities — One of the most famous blind celebrities Christine Hà winner of Master Chef image source theblindcook on Twitter

These famous blind celebrities include famous blind actors, actresses, and other entertainers:

Jack Birkett — blind actor and dancer
Belo Cipriani — blind media personality and author
Dana Elcar — blind actor who is also famous for playing blind characters on The Magic School Bus, MacGyver, and ER
Christine Hà — first blind contestant of MasterChef and the winner of its third season in 2012
Geraldine Lawhorn — famous blind actress and performer and the first deafblind African American to earn a college degree in the U.S.
Callan Mulvey — blind actor from Australia
Ed Walker — blind radio personality
S. Robert Morgan — blind actor who starred in the Wire
Marilee Talkington — blind actress who starred in NCIS

Famous Blind Characters from TV, Movies & Books

Here’s a list of famous blind characters in literature or on the screen:

Toph Beifong — from Avatar: The Last Airbender was born blind
Daredevil — blind superhero in Marvel Comics
Phillip Enright — Main character of The Cay who becomes temporarily blind from a concussion
Geordi La Forge — a Star Trek character created by Gene Roddenberry, blind since birth, but uses a VISOR and later ocular implants that allow him to see the electromagnetic spectrum
Jerec — a Star Wars character with no eyes who served Emperor Palpatine as an Inquisitor
Master Po — from the Kung Fu TV series

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 famous inclusive 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 American 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)

Annie Antón – Founder 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)
Daniel 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 in a Netflix film that 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

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

Celebrities with Asperger’s

David Byrne, lead singer and guitarist from Talking Heads, has Aspergers (image source Wikipedia Creative Commons)

Which famous people have Asperger’s Syndrome? If you had to list the very top celebrities with Asperger’s, these would surely make the top 20 list:

Isaac Asimov (diagnosed)
Dan Aykroyd (diagnosed)
Susan Boyle (diagnosed)
David Byrne (diagnosed)
Charles Darwin (rumored)
John Denver (diagnosed)
Eminem (rumored)
Daryl Hannah (diagnosed)
Dan Harmon (self-diagnosed)
Alfred Hitchcock (rumored)
Sir Anthony Hopkins (diagnosed)
Michael Jackson (rumored)
Courtney Love (diagnosed)
Clay Marzo (diagnosed)
Marilyn Monroe (rumored)
Jerry Seinfeld (self-diagnosed)
Satoshi Tajiri (diagnosed)
James Taylor (diagnosed)
Greta Thunberg (diagnosed)
Robin Williams (rumored)

But let’s break it down in more detail. There are so many reported famous people with Aspergers that I categorize them by their professional field (Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Entrepreneurs, Scientists, etc.).

Actors with Asperger’s

Dan Aykroyd on the set of Great Outdoors Aykroyd struggled since childhood with symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome image source Wikipedia Public Domain

Dan Aykroyd – Actor
Corey Burton – Voice Actor
Charlie Chaplin – Actor (rumored)
Lizzy Clark – Actress
Paddy Considine – Actor
Crispin Glover – Actor (rumored)
Daryl Hannah – Actress
Anthony Hopkins – Actor
Barry Humphries – Actor
Andy Kaufman – Actor
Marilyn Monroe – Actress (rumored)
Alex Plank – Actor
Damian Zduček – Reality Star
Robin Williams – Actor (rumored)

Comedians with Aspergers

Comedic troupe Aspergers R Us is made up entirely of men with Aspergers (Image source Max W Lauf)

Noah Britton – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
Trip Carey – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
Ethan Finlan – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
Jack Hanke – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
Michael Ingemi – Asperger’s Are Us Comedic Group
Michael Palin – Comedian (rumored)
Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian (rumored)
Robert White – Comedian

Chris Rock — Asperger’s Comedian?

Famous comedian Chris Rock started therapy after a friend suggested he may have Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Today:

“The actor went through nine hours of cognitive tests and was eventually diagnosed with NVLD, which makes it difficult for him to understand nonverbal signals.”

source: Today

Other TV/Media Personalities with Asperger’s

Woody Allen, a famous film director, is rumored to have Asperger’s (image source Georges Biard)

Woody Allen – Director (rumored)
Tim Burton – Director (rumored)
Justin Eugene Evans – Film Director
Paula Hamilton – Model
Brant Hansen – Radio Personality
Anne Hegerty – TV Personality
Alfred Hitchcock – Film Director (rumored)
Jamie Hyneman – TV Host (rumored)
Johnny Carson – TV Host (rumored)
Paul El Kharrat – the youngest champion of the show The 12 Coups de midi
Heather Kuzmich – Model
Nina Marker – Model
John Motson – Sports Commentator
Suzanne Muldowney – Performance Artist
Chris Niosi – American Voice Actor, animator, producer (his work includes Arataka Reigen in Mob Psycho, Dezel in Tales of Zestiria, Khoury and the Pokémon series).
Keith Olberman – Sports Commentator (rumored)
Chris Packham – TV Personality and one of the most popular TV characters with Asperger’s.

“Packham, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his 20s, said he was ‘lucky to get through that period of my life’.”

source: BBC

Asperger’s Famous People TV Personality Chris Packham after the Peoples Walk for Wildlife at Richmond Terrace Whitehall London on Saturday 22nd September 2018 image source Garry Knight Wikipedia Creative Commons

Alex Wineman – Model

Famous Athletes with Asperger’s

The Current reported that Jessica Jane Applegate also lives with the challenges associated with Asperger’s syndrome. She has become one of the most inspiring female athletes with a developmental disability since starting her career in 2011. (image source Richard Gillin)

Among other celebrities who have Asperger’s are athletes. These famous Aspies are an inspiration to fans of their sport.

Jessica-Jane Applegate – the first British athlete from the intellectually disabled classification to win gold at the 2012 Paralympics
Danny Chew – Cyclist
Tommy Dis Brisay – Runner

A blog article on athletes with Asperger’s said:

“At five years of age, his parents were told he would never develop the ability to speak. A string of medications and countless struggles led to being overweight as a teenager. But his parents were committed to their son’s success, and they encouraged him to develop an interest. His father, Peter, an avid runner, encouraged Tommy to take to the trails. A jog with his father was all he needed to get hooked on running.”

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

Nikolas DiDomenico – Cyclist
Jim Eisenreich – Major League Baseball Player

Eisenreich, a famous Asperger’s athlete, was diagnosed in 1984, causing him to leave MLB. But:

“medication, combined with a deeper understanding of his challenges, allowed him to return to the game he loved in 1986.”

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

Justin Hansen – College Football Player

An article about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“Human interaction has always been difficult for him. If his dad hadn’t dragged him out of the house and to the football field in grade school, Justin would be in his parents’ basement playing video games.”

source: USA Today

Guy Martin – Motorcycle Racer
Clay Marzo – Surfer

A post about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“Like so many people on the autism spectrum, Clay Marzo was mislabeled and misdiagnosed plenty of times growing up: ADD, dyslexia, learning disabled. Socially awkward with others yet masterful on the surfboard, Clay wasn’t formally diagnosed with Asperger’s until he was 18.

source: Applied Behavioral Analysis Edu

Fernando “Fernie” Morlaes Jr. – Track and Field Athlete

A blog about athletes with Asperger’s said:

“The turning point in their search for the truth came when Fernie was in 5th grade and the family went to visit mom’s best friend over the Thanksgiving holiday. Mom talked and cried over her struggles to help Fernie succeed with her best friend, the friend who is a special education teacher said she suspected he had Asperger’s. She showed them literature she had on Asperger’s and mom said, “I just cried and cried and cried because we finally had our answer.”

source: MileSplitTX

Marcelo Ríos – Tennis Player
Linus Söderström – NHL Hockey Player
Codi Ware – Racecar Driver

Famous Musicians with Asperger’s

President Obama presenting Bob Dylan with a Medal of Freedom It is rumored but not confirmed that Bob Dylan has Aspergers Syndrome according to IMDb image source Wikipedia Public DomainSusan Boyle Britains Got Talent singer was misdiagnosed as having a brain tumor at birth WebMD reported Boyle said I always knew it was an unfair label Now I have a clearer understanding of whats wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself image source Wikipedia Wasforgas

Many musicians with Asperger’s use music as an outlet, especially rappers. Does Eminem have Asperger’s? He raps about Asperger’s in his songs, but it has never been officially diagnosed. Does Chief Keef have Asperger’s? Elite Daily says:

“Rumors have swirled that Keef has Asperger syndrome, which puts him somewhere on the Autism spectrum.”

AutistiX – an indie band from the U.K.
Lil B – Rapper (rumored)
Marty Balin – Singer & Songwriter of Jefferson Airplane
Bella Bartok – Composer (rumored)
Mark Boerbach – Musical Savant
Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent Singer
Anton Bruckner – Composer (rumored)
Dan Bull – Rapper
David Byrne – Singer
John Denver – Musician
James Durbin – American Idol Singer
Bob Dylan – Musician (rumored)
Neil Young – Musician (rumored)
Joseph Eber – Musician
Eminem – Rapper (rumored)
Example – Rapper
Glenn Gould – Pianist
David Helfgott – Pianist
Michael Jackson – Musician (rumored)
Chief Keef – Rapper (rumored)
Ladyhawke – Musician
Juice Leskinen – Musician
Abz Love – Rapper
Courtney Love – Singer
Gustav Mahler – Composer (rumored)
Travis Meeks – Musician
Josh Morgan – Drummer
Rich Mullins – Christian Singer/Songwriter (rumored)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Composer (rumored)
Ari Ne’eman – Activist
Craig Nicholls – Musician
Lisa Nowak – American Astronaut
Gary Numan – Singer & Songwriter
Eric Satie – Composer (rumored)
Savant – Musician
Slushii – Musician
Richard Strauss – Composer (rumored)
James Taylor – Musician (rumored)
Penelope Trunk – Entrepreneur & Author
Ludwig van Beethoven – Composer (rumored)
Robbie Williams – Singer (rumored)
Adam Young – Musician (rumored)

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders with Asperger’s (Famous Inclusive Leaders)

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates at D5 All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad California image source Joi Ito Flickr

Does Bill Gates have Asperger’s? The Guardian reported Bill Gates:

“…has been described as having autistic-type traits: lack of eye contact, poor social skills, a monotonous voice, a prodigious memory and a tendency to rock backwards and forwards during business meetings.”

Here’s the full list of famous Aspie entrepreneurs/biz leaders I found:

Julian Assange – WikiLeaks Founder

On September 23, 2020, Computer Weekly reported that the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange:

“is on the autistic spectrum and has a history of depression that would put him at risk of suicide if he is extradited to a US prison”

This information was part of court proceedings from psychiatrists who evaluated Assange before his trial. In September of 2011, Assange talked to the UK Independent about being autistic:

“Later, when I became well known, people would enjoy pointing out that I had Asperger’s or else that I was dangling somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, so let’s just say I am – all hackers are, and I would argue all men are a little bit autistic. But in my mid- to late teens, I could barely focus on anything that didn’t seem to me like a major breakthrough.”

Adam Bradford – Activist & Entrepreneur
Michael Burry – U.S. Investment Fund Manager
Blondinbella – Entrepreneur & Blogger
Henry Ford – Industrialist (rumored)
Carly Fulgam – President of Autism Society of America Ventura
Bill Gates – Entrepreneur (rumored)
William (Bill) Hunt Gross – Investor & Philanthropist
Howard Hughes – American Businessperson (rumored)
Steve Jobs – Apple Co-founder (rumored)
Daniel Lightwing – Internet Gambling Business Co-Founder
Satoshi Tajiri – Pokemon Inventor
Nikola Tesla – Inventor of Electric Motors (rumored)
Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook Founder (rumored)

Political Leaders with Asperger’s

Does Trump Have Asperger’s? Many suspect so, but it has never been confirmed. (image source Wikipedia)

Brisco Cain – Politician
Prince Charles of WalesIs Prince Charles autistic? One of our blog readers sent me an article and I did some digging. It looks like the answer is no, even though some speculate Prince Charles has some traits of Asperger’s.
Benjamin Franklin – U.S. Politician (rumored)
Al Gore – Politician (rumored)
Jeff Greenfield – Political Analyst
Thomas Jefferson – U.S. President (rumored)
Abraham Lincoln – U.S. President (rumored)
Ludwig II – King of Bavaria (rumored)
Lindsay Mason – Politician
Timothé Nadim – French Politician
George Washington – U.S. President (rumored)

Famous Aspergers Artists

Charles Schulz was best known for creating the Peanuts comic strip. His Asperger’s was never confirmed. (image source Wikipedia)

Jim Henson – Animator & Puppeteer (rumored)
Peter Howson – Painter
Wasily Kandinsky – Painter (rumored)
Paul Kostabi – Artist
L S Lowry – Artist
Michelangelo – Artist (rumored)
Patrick Samuel
Charles Schulz – Cartoonist (rumored)
Vincent van Gogh – Painter (rumored)
Andy Warhol – Artist (rumored)

Famous Scientists with Asperger’s Syndrome (and Inventors)

There is speculation around whether some of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors had Asperger’s. Did Einstein have Asperger’s? Many reports say it’s possible, but we may never know. How about other famous scientists? Most of the famous people on this list were never diagnosed with Asperger’s, only rumored to be on the autism spectrum.

An article on Medium discusses whether Alan Turning had Asperger’s Syndrome. (image source Wikipedia Public Domain)

Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor (rumored)
Richard Borcherds – Mathematician
Henry Cavendish – Scientist (rumored)
Marie-Curie – Scientist (rumored)
Charles Darwin – Naturalist (rumored)
Thomas Edison – Inventor (rumored)
Albert Einstein – Scientist (rumored)
Francis Galton – Scientist (rumored)
Oliver Heaviside – Physicist (rumored)
Alfred Kinsey – Scientist (rumored)
Barbara McClintock – Scientist (rumored)
John Nash – Mathematician (rumored)
Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician
Dawn Prince-Hughes – Scientist (rumored)
Alan Turing – Mathematician (rumored)
Ludwig Wittgenstein – Logician (rumored)

Famous Writers with Asperger’s

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with Asperger’s as a child. (image source Steve Jurvetson)

Syed Talha Ahsan – Poet
Hans Christian Anderson – Author (rumored)
Isaac Asimov – Author
Jane Austen – Writer (rumored)
Charlie Kaufman – Writer (rumored)
Daantjie Badenhorst – Journalist & Author
Kage Baker – Writer
Benjamin Banneker – Author (rumored)
Henry Bond – Writer
Axel Brauns – Writer
Lewis Carroll – Author (rumored)
Todd Rafael Cimino – Novelist
Jennifer Cook O’Toole – Writer
Emily Dickinson – Poet (rumored)
Charles Dickinson – Writer (rumored)
Tim Ellis – Australian Author & Magician
Allx Generous – Author
Temple Grandin – Writer
Gunilla Gerland – Author
Dan Harmon – Writer (rumored)
Liane Holliday Willey – Author
Luke Jackson – Author
James Joyce – Author (rumored)
Franz Kafka – Writer (rumored)
Garrison Keillor – Writer
Rosie King – Writer
H. P. Lovecraft – Writer (rumored)
A.R. Morlan – Author
Jerry Newport – Author & Mathematical Savant
Tim Page – Pulitzer Prize Author
Markku Tapani Pölönen – Screenwriter
John Elder Robinson – Author of Look Me in the Ey
George Bernard Shaw – Writer (rumored)
Rudy Simone – Author (rumored)
Susanna Tamaro – Author
Daniel Tammet – Novelist & Poet
Raymond Thompson – Scriptwriter
Henry Thoreau – Writer (rumored)
Mark Twain – Writer (rumored)
Donna Williams – Author
Virginia Woolf – Writer (rumored)

Other Famous Inclusive Leaders Who Are Aspies

These famous Aspies needed a category of their own. They may not be famous actors, but they are famous in their own right. Does M2K have Asperger’s? Jason Zimmerman, a famous video gamer who goes by M2K does have Asperger’s Syndrome.

Hans Asperger – Podiatrist (Asperger’s was named after him)
Bobby Fischer – World Chess Champion (rumored)
Carl Jung – Psychoanalyst (rumored)
Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Architect (rumored)
Friedrich Nietzsche – Philosopher (rumored)
Bertrand Russell – Polymath (rumored)
Oliver Sacks – Neurologist (rumored)
Judy Singer – Activist & Sociologist (she coined the term Neurodiversity)
Vernon Smith – Award-winning Economist
Greta Thunberg – Environmental Activist (and sailed from the U.S. to Lisbon, Portugal in 3 weeks!)
Jason Zimmerman (M2K) – Video Gamer

Movies About Autism or Asperger’s

While researching celebrities with Asperger’s Syndrome, we realized quite a few famous movies have been made based on people with Asperger’s or Autism. Here are a handful to note:

The Accountant
- AutismMag.org discusses a popular movie called The Accountant — Asperger’s plays a key part in this film about an accountant (played by Ben Affleck) with Asperger’s Syndrome
The Social Network
- Many people asked “Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger’s?” after watching this movie about the creation of Facebook. The Autism Support Network said: “…It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome,” when referring to Zuckerberg’s character in the movie.
Mozart and the Whale
- Based on the life of author and public speaker, Jerry Newport, this is a love story about a man with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Man on the Moon
- A film based on the life of famous Aspie entertainer Andy Kaufman. The main role is played by actor Jim Carrey.
Parenthood
- In season 5 of Parenthood, popular character Hank finds out he has Asperger’s while reading a book to relate to Max’s Asperger’s. “Does Max Burkholder have Asperger’s?” He plays the young character Max Braverman, who does, but the star does not have Asperger’s in real life. What about Hank who is played by Ray Romano in this popular TV show. Does Ray Romano have Asperger’s? Not in real life.
The Office
- The Office is not really about Autism, but some may ask the question, Does Dwight Schrute have Asperger’s? A blog about autism in the media says its possible:”Adam from Adam, Christopher from The Curious Incident with the Dog at Night Time, Donald from Mozart and the Whale, and Don Tillman from The Rosie Project, along with Dwight, Sheldon and Abed, all fit into what I call “the quirky, high-functioning Aspie” archetype.”

Viewers of the Big Bang Theory have suspected the character Sheldon, to be on the autism spectrum, but does Jim Parsons have Asperger’s? No, but he seems to think his character exhibits some characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome.

There are so many more movies, books, and TV shows based on people with Asperger’s or have characters with Asperger’s. Here is a list of the top 10 movies according to Shrink Tank.

Celebs Who Have Kids with Asperger’s

Famous comedian D.L. Hughley’s son, Kyle Hughley, has Asperger’s.

When Kyle Hughley was a child, doctors diagnosed him with Asperger’s syndrome. At times, D.L. Hughley has seriously discussed how that disorder has affected Kyle’s life. For example, in 2015 D.L. spoke with pride about Kyle graduating from college during an Oprah: Where Are They Now segment. After talking about his son’s education, D.L. briefly spoke about Kyle’s day-to-day life, and then he got emotional as he told a touching story.

source: The Things

People Yearn to Know if Someone Famous is Autistic or has Asperger’s

As part of my research, I was amazed to discover the amount of Google traffic there is of people wondering if a famous person has Asperger’s. Here are 40+ examples of the most popular queries. I’ll start of the list with common questions about Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, because there is loads of traffic around him:

Questions about Mark Zuckerberg (Austistic or Asperger’s)

Is Mark Zuckerberg autistic? (700 queries/month)
Does Mark Zuckerberg have autism? (600 queries/month)
Mark Zuckerberg Aspergers? (15 queries/month)
Zuckerberg autism? (80 queries/month)
Does Mark Zuckerberg have Aspergers? (80 queries/month)
Is Zuckerberg autistic? (40 queries/month)
Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger Syndrome? (20 queries/month)
Zuckerberg Autistic? (20 queries/month)
Does Mark Zuckerberg have Asperger’s? (20 queries/month)
Mark Zuckerberg Aspergers? (20 queries/month)

The Autism Support Network says:

“The founder of Facebook, has a desperate deficit when it comes to human interaction. It quickly becomes clear that the character has something on the autistic spectrum, most likely Aspergers syndrome.”

source: Autism Support Network

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)

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)

(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:

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 Famous Inclusive 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)

Celebrities with Autism

If you had to list the very top famous people with autism, it’d likely be this list:

Woody Allen (rumored)
David Byrne (diagnosed)
Dan Aykroyd (diagnosed)
Charles Darwin (rumored)
Thomas Edison (rumored)
Albert Einstein (rumored)
Darryl Hannah (diagnosed)
Alfred Hitchcock (rumored)
Courtney Love (diagnosed)
Lionel Messi (rumored)
Sir Isaac Newton (rumored)
Steve Jobs (rumored)
Jerry Seinfeld (self-diagnosed)

But let’s break it down in more detail.

There are so many reported famous people with autism that I categorize them by their professional field (Actors, Athletes, Musicians, Leaders, etc.). I also added a section for celebrities with autistic children.

Also, I do my best to provide sourcing wherever I could.

I hope you’re as inspired by these great humans as I am!

Famous People with Autism (Actors and Other Entertainment Pros Too)

There are a number of celebrities and other famous people with autism. Let’s start with actors:

Is Sir Anthony Hopkins Autistic? According to Mercury News, he received a late-in-life diagnosis of Asperger’s.

image source Creative Commons Wikipedia

Diagnosed with Autism

Dan Aykroyd – Comedic Actor
Rachel Barcellona – Actress starring in a new short film called Mandy’s Voice, about a non-speaking autistic teenager.

Roseanne Barr – Actress
Jennifer Cook – Actress
Chuggaaconroy – YouTube Personality
Stephanie Davis – Actress
Rick Glassman – Actor
Paula Hamilton – Model
Darryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
Dan Harmon – Producer & Writer
Sir Anthony Hopkins – Actor (source: Mercury News)

Anthony Hopkins Autism Facts

In 2017, Anthony Hopkins was interviewed by the Daily Mail about his troubles with addiction and Asperger’s. Anthony Hopkins’ autistic diagnosis, more specifically Asperger’s, was diagnosed late in life. He told the Daily Mail he was a loner and said:

“I don’t go to parties, I don’t have many friends…But I do like people. I do like to get inside their heads.”

When asked if his Asperger’s helped him as an actor, he said:

“I definitely look at people differently. I like to deconstruct, to pull a character apart, to work out what makes them tick and my view will not be the same as everyone else. I get offered a lot of controlling parts, maybe because that’s how people see me. And maybe I am very controlled because I’ve had to be. I don’t question it, I just take the parts because I’m an actor and that’s what I do.”

Heather Kuzmich – America’s Next Top Model Contestant
Paige Layle – TikTok Personality

Autism Talk on TikTok: Paige Layle

Paige Layle is an eyelash technician from Ontario who recently went viral on TikiTok after posting a 4-part series about being an autistic woman. Her TikTok account is filled with facts about autism and she talks about how it took a long time to get her diagnosis because she is a woman that doesn’t necessarily “fit the mold” of being autistic. People Magazine reported that:

“Layle also said that girls with autism tend to live with mental disorders, disclosing that she currently has seven, including OCD…All of these mental illnesses stem from having autism, but OCD, anxiety, and depression are very, very common, especially in girls”

Matthew Labyorteaux – Actor
Wentworth Miller – Actor

The Prison Break star told CBSNew York:

“Autism is central to who I am. I wouldn’t change it.”

source: Actor Wentworth Miller Reveals Autism Diagnosis, Reigniting Conversation About Adults On The Spectrum, by Jessica Moore

Desi Napoles – Model
Freddie Odom Jr. – Actor
Kim Peek – Inspiration for Rain Man Movie
Sue Ann Pien – Actor
Henry Rodriguez – Reality-TV Star

Known for getting Married at First Sight, there has been a lot of speculation on Reddit as to whether Rodriguez is on the spectrum.

Scott Steindorff – Producer

Steindorff produced top films like the Lincoln Lawyer. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, he is producing a documentary called “Spectrum Neurodiversity. Steindorff is on the spectrum himself and said the documentary:

“will focus on conditions such as dyslexia, ADD, ADHD and autism as examples of diversity in the human condition rather than disorders that must be “cured.””

Ian Terry – Big Brother Star

Big Brother Star, Ian has recently opened up about being autistic. Ian was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a child. What is ASD? According to the CDC, ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.

Ian said on Twitter:

“I would search my name. In Google, the fourth most likely one was ‘Ian Terry Autism’.”

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson – TV Personality & Socialite
Albert Rutecki – Actor
Billy West – Voice Actor
Alexis Wineman – Miss America Contestant

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Woody Allen – Actor & Director (source: ABA Degree Program Guide)
Tim Burton – Movie Director (source: The Art of Autism)
Chirs Fischer – Celebrity Chef
Jim Henson – Creator of the Muppets (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (Aka “Alfred Hitchcock) – Director & Producer (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Stanley Kubrick – Film Director & Chess Mastermind (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Program)

Is Keir Gilchrist Autistic?

Keir Gilchrist plays teenager Sam Gardner in Netflix’s Atypical. Sam is autistic in the show, causing many fans to ask “is Keir Gilchrist autistic?”

The answer is no:

Despite playing an autistic character, Gilchrist is not autistic. The actor did a great deal of research to get to the point where he could play an autistic person, including reading works by writer and speaker David Finch.

source: Newsweek, ‘Atypical’ on Netflix: Is Sam Actor Keir Gilchrist Actually Autistic?, July 12, 2021

Famous People with Autism: Athletes

Among other famous people with autism are amazing 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!

Is Lionel Messi Autistic? The Autistic Community Network (ACN) out of Australia reports that he is on the spectrum. (image source: Кирилл Венедиктов, Wikipedia

Diagnosed with Autism

Jessica-Jane Applegate – Swimmer
Michael Brannigan – Track & Field Athlete
David Campion – Snowboarder
Breanna Clark – Paralympic Athlete
Ulysse Delsaux – Racecar Driver
Tommy Dis Brisay – Runner, Kayaker, & Cross-Country Skiier
Jim Eisenreich – Major League Baseball Player
Todd Hodgetts – Paralympic Athlete
John Howard – Fighter
Anthony Ianni – Basketball Player
Lisa Llorens – Paralympic Athlete
Clay Marzo – Surfer
Frankie MacDonald – Meteorologist
Jason McElwain – Basketball Player
Chris Morgan – Olypmic rower

“If I had a neurotypical brain I wouldn’t have achieved what I have. My way of thinking and my approach to things is fundamentally one of my success factors. Autism made me successful.”

source: Australia Broadcasting Corporation

Max Park – Speed Cuber
Cody Ware – Racecar Driver
Armani Williams – Racecar Driver (the first NASCAR driver openly diagnosed on the autism spectrum)
Samuel Von Einem – Table Tennis Star

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Alex Buesnel – Gymnast (source: Wikipedia)
Lionel Messi – Soccer Player (source: Autism Community Network)

Messi Autism – Rumors or Diagnosed?

Lionel Messi is a worldwide soccer superstar, but there are rumors that he struggled with Autism early in life. According to WessexScene.com:

“There are unconfirmed reports that Messi was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (a pervasive developmental disorder on the autistic spectrum) at the age of 9.”

As a child, Messi kept to himself and was known in his village as ‘el pequeño mudito’ (‘the little mute’). His extreme focus on his sport has many autism experts convinced he has Asperger’s or is somewhere on the autism spectrum.

Famous People with Autism: Musicians

Is Courtney Love Autistic? According to All That is Interesting, she was diagnosed as mildly autistic when she was a young girl. (image source Manfred Werner Wikipedia)

Diagnosed with Autism

Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent Singing Sensation
David Byrne – Musician
Johnny Dean – Musician
Tony DeBlois – Musician
Christopher Dufley – 10-year-old singer with autism gets more than 550,000 views on YouTube

Jody DiPiazza – Musician
Pertti Kurikka – Musician
James Jagow – Musician and composer

“No matter how bad the situation is, you should never let a disability stop you from doing what you want to do…” a quote from Jagow on the Spectrum News.

Ladyhawke – Musician
Kodi Lee – Musician
Left at London – Musician
Rex Lewis-Clack – Musician
Abz Love – Rapper
Courtney Love – Singer & Actress (source: All That is Interesting)
Thristan Mendoza – Musician
Heidi Mortenson – Musician
Hikari Ōe – Composer
Matt Savage – Musician
Graham Sierota – Musician
SpaceGhostPurp – Musician
Mark Tinley – Musician & Presenter
Donald Triplett – Musician & Savant
Aleksander Vinter – Musician

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Other reported musical celebrities with autism include:

Beethoven – Classical Music Composer & Pianist (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Glenn Gould – Pianist (source: Wikipedia)
Michael Jackson – Singer (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Composer of Classical Music (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Program)
Tim Page – Music Critic (source: NPR)
Robbie Williams – Singer (source: The Sun UK)
Kenshi Yonezu – VOCALOID star (source: Suzanne Larking & Tumblr)

Famous People with Autism: Comedians

Diagnosed with Autism

Hannah Gadsby – Comedian
Robert White – Comedian
Bethany Black – Comedian

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Jerry Seinfield – Comedian (source: Brian Williams/Seinfeld interview NBC News)

Jerry Seinfeld’s Autism Controversy

As part of our research, we were amazed to find a high volume of people querying Google about whether comedian Jerry Seinfeld is autistic (e.g. 400 people per month Google the phrase “Jerry Seinfeld Autism”.

The Seinfeld autism controversy began in an interview with Brian Williams of NBC News:

Is Jerry Seinfeld autistic Seinfeld tells Brian Williams I think on a very drawn-out scale I think I’m on the spectrum

Here’s the full transcript:

Seinfeld:

“I think, on a very drawn-out scale, I think I’m on the spectrum.”

Brian Williams:

“Why, what are the markers if I was sitting here analyzing you…”

Seinfeld:

“You’re never paying attention to the right things.

Basic social engagement is really a struggle.

I’m very literal.”

Comments on the Youtube video included a mix of reactions:

“I’m an autism specialist and this does not offend me. I Googled Jerry Seinfeld Asperger’s for a reason–because of how he struck me on the Garry Shandling documentary.” — Keldra Alpine

“It doesn’t really look like autism. I could be mistaken but [Seinfeld] makes successful eye contact and he he can keep a conversation going. I have level 2 autism (by the new criteria, it’s moderate autism.). He doesn’t really seem autistic because 1. you need to have repetitive actions, or things, whatever 2. you need to have communication issues and 3. I can’t remember.” — William Childs

“I am not in a position to say that he’s been misdiagnosed, but I cannot in any envision someone with ASD being a successful stand-up comedian. I could see an autistic person being comical for 10-15 minutes in front of a small group of people, but I cannot see them doing comedy night after night as a career.

When I was diagnosed (in 1997, with Asperger’s, which has since merged with other forms of autism to become ASD), my understanding was that the prototype for Asperger’s were people like Isaac Newton and Immanuel Kant (both of whom neither married or had children and (in the case of Newton) quite possibly/likely died a virgin – I guess you could say he had more interest in discovering g-forces than the g-spot). Both of these men were obsessed with discovering knowledge and (what they believed to be) eternal laws about the universe and had little interest in sociparl relations. Try as I may, I do not see any aspect of either Newton or Kant in Jerry.” — Devin Elgert

Seinfeld later walked back his comments on having Autism:

“I don’t have autism,” Seinfeld told “Access Hollywood.” “I’m not on the spectrum.”

Famous People with Autism: Scientists, Inventors & Mathematicians

Was Barbara McClintock Autistic? The Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide suggests she was somewhere on the Autism spectrum. (image source Smithsonian Institution Wikipedia)

Diagnosed with Autism

Bram Cohen – Inventor of BitTorrent
Michelle Dawson – Researcher
Carl Sagan – Astronomer

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Henry Cavendish – Scientist & discoverer of Hydrogen (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Paul Dirac – Professor & Physicist (source: NPR)
Thomas Edison – Inventor (source: NPR)
Albert Einstein – Mathematician & Scientist (source: Spectrum News)
Alfred Kinsey – Biologist & Sexologist (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Barbara McClintock – Reproductive Scientist (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist (source: NewScientist)
Nikola Tesla – Inventor (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Alan Turing – Mathematician (source: Wikipedia)

Famous People with Autism: Writers

Is Aoife Dooley Autistic? She was diagnosed at the age of 27, according to RTE. (image source LoopDaLoop Wikipedia)

Diagnosed with Autism

Mel Baggs – Writer
Kage Baker – Writer
Sean Barron – Journalist
Lydia X. Z. Brown – Writer & Speaker
Matt Bruenig – Blogger & Political Analyst
Dani Bowman – Motivational Speaker, Writer, & Artist
Nicole Cliffe – Writer
Laura Kate Dale – Author
Aoife Dooley – Writer (source: RTE)
Corrine Duyvis – Author
Marianne Eloise – Memoir author

“I wrote Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking partly as a way to understand my own brain and explain neurodiversity to other people, but ultimately just so I could spend months reading and writing about all the things I never stop thinking about anyway.”

source: Icon bags Eloise’s ‘refreshing’ memoir about being autistic and OCD, by Ruth Comerford

Jory Fleming, Rhodes Scholar and Author of “How to Be Human: An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life”
Temple Grandin – Author, Speaker, & Animal Science Professor
John R. Hall – Author
Naoki Higashida – Writer
Helen Hoang – Romance novelist

“When Helen Hoang was writing her first book, The Kiss Quotient, she had recently been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. So, as she was trying to make sense of the diagnosis for herself, she pulled from her own life experiences and folded them into the romance novel, which chronicles the love life of Stella, a young woman on the autism spectrum.”

source: Author Helen Hoang Talks Sex, Autism And Freedom, by ALYSSA JEONG PERRY (NPR)

Liane Holliday Willey – Author
Luke Jackson – Author
Rosie King – Writer & Public Speaker
Thomas A. McKean – Author
Jonathan Mitchell – Blogger & Writer
Jack Monroe – Food Writer
Caiseal Mor – Writer
Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu – Author & Editor
Jasmine O’Neill – Author
Brant Page Hanson – Writer & Radio Personality
Dawn Prince-Hughes – Author
Sue Rubin – Author
Stephen Shore – Author & Professor
Andreas Souvaliotis – Author
Sarah Stup – Writer
Susanna Tamaro – Novelist
Chuck Tingle – Author
Donna Williams – Writer & Artist

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Hans Christian Andersen – Children’s Author (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Jane Austen – Novelist (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Benjamin Banneker – African American Almanac Author (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide)
Lewis Carroll – Author of “Alice in Wonderland” (source: Art of Autism)
James Joyce – Author (source: Art of Autism)
Franz Kafka – Novelist (source: Research Gate)
George Orwell – Novelist & Essayist (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Michael Edward Palin – Writer, Actor & Comedian (source: Sensory Direct)
Mark Twain – Writer (source: Everyday Asperger’s)
H. G. Wells – Writer (source: Spectrum News)

Famous People with Autism: Leaders

Was Thomas Jefferson Autistic? The Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide suggests he had some peculiar behaviors that would place him somewhere on the Autism spectrum. (image source Rembrandt Peale Wikipedia)

Political leaders are not always open about their struggles with neurodiversity. But Joshua Collins, who is running for a congressional seat in Washington state, is open about being autistic. The Mighty reported:

“Collins was originally running in the election as a Democrat but is now the pioneer of the left-leaning coalition Essential Workers’ Party. If he wins the election, Collins would be the first known openly autistic Congressmember in United States’ history.”

Collins also has 2 members on his campaign team who are autistic.

Diagnosed with Autism

Joshua Collins – Congressional candidate
Conner Cummings – Autism Activist

Conner Cummings didn’t speak until he was 7 years old, and now he receives standing ovations. Honored with numerous awards, including Advocate of the Year by Autism Society of America. He changed a law with his mother in 2015 (named “Conner’s Law” after him).

He has been instrumental in assisting numerous bills to pass within the past 7 years and was appointed to the Virginia Disability Commission in 2020. Conner is also an Ambassador to Zoom Autism Magazine, where everyone who works on the magazine is autistic (except his mother).

Kevin Healy – Autism Activist
Poom Jensen – Thai Leader
Amy Knight – Politician
Jared O’Mara – Politician
David Nelson – Activist
Shain Neumeier – Activist
Master Sgt. Shale Norwitz – Military officer

According to Airforce Military News:

“Norwitz, 5th Combat Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of Operations Planning, attributed his heroic acts to his military training and neurodiversity. ‘I’m on the [autism] spectrum, and that makes me good at being a strategic thinker, and contributes to my innovation. This is the stuff that makes us great, but it is something we need reinforcement on, Norwitz said.’

Norwitz said his neurodiversity allows him to objectively react during situations. He said that because of his ability to remove emotion from a situation, he is able to see a clear series of targets, tasks, and creative solutions whenever an issue arises. This ability led him to learn to accept his diagnosis.

source: Airman advocates for neurodiversity in military by Tre Davis, 688th Cyberspace Wing

Jim Sinclair – Activist
Judy Singer – Disability Rights Activist
Dr. Vernon Smith – Nobel Prize Winner in Economics

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Bobby Fischer – Chess World Champion (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs)
Henry Ford – Founder of Ford Motor Company (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Bill Gates – Microsoft Co-Founder (source: Very Well Health)
Thomas Jefferson – 3rd President of the United States (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs)
Steve Jobs – CEO of Apple (source: Mercury News)
Elon Musk – Tesla and SpaceX Founder (source: Entertainment Tonight)

Does Elon Musk have Asperger’s? Elon Musk confirmed he has Asperger’s while hosting a May 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live. Here’s what Musk had to say about his Asperger’s when he opened up the SNL show:

“I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s to host SNL, or, at least the first to admit it, so I won’t make a lot of eye contact with the cast tonight. But don’t worry, I’m pretty good at running human in emulation mode.”

The number of celebrities and famous people with autism may be greater than you think. Was Steve Jobs Autistic? Autistic spokesperson Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with Autism at just 2 years old, told Mercury News that “half of Silicon Valley’s got mild autism”:

“Einstein would be labeled autistic today…Steve Jobs was probably on the spectrum…”

source: Temple Grandin: Half of Silicon Valley’s got mild Autism (Mercury News)

Was Steve Jobs Autistic? Autistic Spokesperson Temple Grandin and The Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide, among others, speculate that he was on the spectrum.

Friedrich Nietzsche – Philosopher (source: Asperger Autism Network)
Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Pokemon (source: Art of Autism)

Satoshi Tajiri’s Autism and His Obsessions

Is the Creator of Pokémon autistic? Yes, and Satoshi Tajiri credits his autism for his success. Having obsessions like bug collecting and video games during his youth. The Art of Autism reported that:

“The latter captured so much of his time and attention that he actually cut classes and wound up flunking high school. His parents were concerned; they actually didn’t understand his obsession with games and thought he was a delinquent throwing his life away.”

Despite his parents’ concerns, Tajiri channeled these hobbies and created a video game that changed the world! Santoshi Tajiri went on record saying:

“that he wanted the games to give children the same joy as he had during his bug collecting.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein – Philosopher (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs)

Famous People with Autism: Artists

Was Vincent van Gogh Autistic? All That is Interesting makes a case that he was somewhere on the Autism spectrum. (image source Self Portrait Wikipedia)

Diagnosed with Autism

Miina Äkkijyrkkä – Artist
Danny Beath – Nature Photographer
Deborah Berger – Artist
Larry John Bissonnette – Artist
Patrick Francis – Artist
Govy – Artist
Jorge Gutierrez – Artist
Lina Lang – Artist
Jonathan Lerman – Artist
Julian Martin – Artist
Haley Moss – Pop Art Artist
Morgan Harper Nichols – Artist

An autism diagnosis helped Morgan Harper Nichols better understand her art and herself image source AZ Central

A story about Morgan Harper Nichols, one of Arizona’s most famous artists with autism said:

“Harper Nichols always knew she was different and much of her art deals with her feeling that she has struggled with connecting with people. Throughout quarantine, Harper Nichols would watch videos on TikTok. Some told stories about women who were diagnosed with autism. As she watched more and more videos — and began an intensive diagnosis process — Harper Nichols, now 31 years old, connected the dots. On a Saturday in February, she drove to the doctor’s office for the final appointment and got a diagnosis: she had autism.”

source: An autism diagnosis helped Morgan Harper Nichols better understand her art — and herself, by Sofia Krusmark, Arizona Republic.

Tim Sharp – Artist
Gilles Tréhin – Artist
Willem van Genk – Artist
Richard Wawro – Artist

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

Charles Monroe Schulz – Creator of Peanuts comic strip (source: AspergerSyndrome.me.uk)
Vincent Van Gogh – Artist (source: All Things Interesting)
Andy Warhol – Artist (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs)
Stephen Wiltshire – Architectural Artist (source: Wikipedia)

Famous People with Autism: Poets

Was Emily Dickinson Autistic? Early Childhood Education Degree discusses her struggles with the possibility of being Autistic. (image source Wikipedia)

Diagnosed with Autism

David Eastham – Poet
Christopher Knowles – Poet
David Miedzianik – Poet
Henriette Seth F. – Poet, Musician, Artist, & Writer

Reported/Rumored to Have Autism

William Butler Yeats – Poet (source: Applied Behavior Analysis Programs)
Emily Dickinson – Poet (source: Early Childhood Education Degree)
Michelangelo – Poet, Painter, Architect & Sculptor (source: WebMD)

Autistic Doctors

There are many doctors who are autistic around the world. I had a hard time finding any autistic doctors who were deemed famous. But Dr. Mary Doherty (@autisticdoctor) should be famous for building a community for autistic doctors in real life.

“Autistic Doctors International (ADI) is an information and peer support group for doctors on the autistic spectrum founded in 2019, with members in Europe, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.”

Celebrities with Autistic Children

When looking for famous people with autism, we also found a list of famous people with autistic children. (Editor’s note: it’s amazing…my Google tool ahrefs.com shows 500+ people per month search terms like “famous people with autism children”.) The list is broken down into categories just like the lists of famous people with autism above.

Famous Actor Parents of Children with Autism

Ed Asner – Actor
Gary Cole – Actor
Robert DeNiro – Actor
Christopher Gorman – Actor
Jacqueline Laurita – Actress
Joe Mantegna – Actor
Jenny McCarthy – Actress
Paddy McGuiness – Actor & Comedian
Aidan Quinn – Actor
Nikki Reed – Actress
Holly Robinson Pete – Actress & Rodney Pete – NFL Star
Silvester Stallone – Actor
John Travolta – Actor & Kelly Preston – Actress

Famous Artist Parents of Children with Autism

Tommy Hilfiger – Clothing Designer

Famous Athlete Parents of Children with Autism

Doug Flutie – Football Player
Dan Marino – NFL Star & Actor
John Stephenson – NHL player
Deron Williams – NBA Star

Famous Musician Parents of Children with Autism

Waleed Aly – Musician & Writer
Toni Braxton – Singer
Stephen Stills – Musician
Shawn Stockman – Singer

Other Famous Parents of Children with Autism

Dr. Tony Attwood – Autism Expert
Al Roker – American weather presenter and host of The Today Show

Famous People with Autism in History

Some people wanted to see just the diagnosed famous autistic people in history in one place, so I’ve added an additional section of famous people with autism here.

Miina Äkkijyrkkä – Artist
Jessica-Jane Applegate – Swimmer
Julian Assange – WikiLeaks Founder
Dan Aykroyd – Comedic Actor
Mel Baggs – Writer
Kage Baker – Writer
Roseanne Barr – Actress
Sean Barron – Journalist
Danny Beath – Nature Photographer
Deborah Berger – Artist
Larry John Bissonnette – Artist
Bethany Black – Comedian
Dani Bowman – Motivational Speaker, Writer & Artist
Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent Singing Sensation
Michael Brannigan – Track & Field Athlete
Lydia X. Z. Brown – Writer & Speaker
Matt Bruenig – Blogger & Political Analyst
David Byrne – Musician
David Campion – Snowboarder
Chuggaaconroy – YouTube Personality
Breanna Clark – Paralympic Athlete
Nicole Cliffe – Writer
Bram Cohen – Inventor of BitTorrent
Laura Kate Dale – Author
Stephanie Davis – Actress
Michelle Dawson – Researcher
Johnny Dean – Musician
Tony DeBlois – Musician
Ulysse Delsaux – Racecar Driver
Jody DiPiazza – Musician
Tommy Dis Brisay – Runner, Kayaker & Cross-Country Skiier
Aoife Dooley – Writer (source: RTE)
Corrine Duyvis – Author
David Eastham – Poet
Jim Eisenreich – Major League Baseball Player
Patrick Francis – Artist
Hannah Gadsby – Comedian
Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu – Author & Editor
Rick Glassman – Actor
Govy – Artist
Temple Grandin – Author, Speaker & Animal Science Professor
Jorge Gutierrez – Artist
John R. Hall – Author
Paula Hamilton – Model
Darryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist
Dan Harmon – Producer & Writer
Kevin Healy – Autism Activist
Naoki Higashida – Writer
Helen Hoang – Author
Todd Hodgetts – Paralympic Athlete
Liane Holliday Willey – Author
Sir Anthony Hopkins – Actor (source: Mercury News)
John Howard – Fighter
Anthony Ianni – Basketball Player
Luke Jackson – Author
Poom Jensen – Thai Leader
Rosie King – Writer & Public Speaker
Amy Knight – Politician
Christopher Knowles – Poet
Pertti Kurikka – Musician
Heather Kuzmich – America’s Next Top Model Contestant
Ladyhawke – Musician
Matthew Labyorteaux – Actor
Lina Lang – Artist
Kodi Lee – Musician
Left at London – Musician
Jonathan Lerman – Artist
Rex Lewis-Clack – Musician
Lisa Llorens – Paralympic Athlete
Abz Love – Rapper
Courtney Love – Singer & Actress (source: All That is Interesting)
Julian Martin – Artist
Clay Marzo – Surfer
Frankie MacDonald – Meteorologist
Jason McElwain – Basketball Player
Thomas A. McKean – Author
Thristan Mendoza – Musician
David Miedzianik – Poet
Timothy Mehnert – Actor and Model
Jonathan Mitchell – Blogger & Writer
Jack Monroe – Food Writer
Caiseal Mor – Writer
Heidi Mortenson – Musician
Haley Moss – Pop Art Artist
Desi Napoles – Model
David Nelson – Activist
Shain Neumeier – Activist
Freddie Odom Jr. – Actor
Hikari Ōe – Composer
Jasmine O’Neill – Author
Jared O’Mara – Politician
Brant Page Hanson – Writer & Radio Personality
Kim Peek – Inspiration for Rain Man Movie
Sue Ann Pien – Actor
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson – TV Personality & Socialite
Dawn Prince-Hughes – Author
Sue Rubin – Author
Albert Rutecki – Actor
Matt Savage – Musician
Henriette Seth F. – Poet, Musician, Artist & Writer
Graham Sierota – Musician
Jim Sinclair – Activist
Judy Singer – Disability Rights Activist
Tim Sharp – Artist
Stephen Shore – Author & Professor
Dr. Vernon Smith – Nobel Prize Winner in Economics
Andreas Souvaliotis – Author
SpaceGhostPurp – Musician
Sarah Stup – Writer
Susanna Tamaro – Novelist
Chuck Tingle – Author
Mark Tinley – Musician & Presenter
Gilles Tréhin – Artist
Donald Triplett – Musician & Savant
Richard Wawro – Artist
Cody Ware – Racecar Driver
Billy West – Voice Actor
Robert White – Comedian
Armani Williams – Racecar Driver
Donna Williams – Writer & Artist
Alexis Wineman – Miss America Contestant
Willem van Genk – Artist
Aleksander Vinter – Musician
Samuel Von Einem – Table Tennis Star

Note: In researching celebrities with autism, I found a few individuals with autism spectrum disorder who have had a negative impact on society including Elliot Rodger, Nikolas Kruz, Tristan Andrew Tyrell, Cary Stayner, Jemma Lilley, John Ausonius “Laser Man”, and James Fairweather. I chose to focus on all the amazing POSITIVE people with autism.

Famous Deaf Actors and Actresses

This list of celebrities with hearing loss includes hearing impaired actresses, deaf movie stars, and famous deaf actors:

Deaf Actress List

Famous deaf actress, Halle Berry, speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International for Kingsman The Golden Circle at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego California. (image source Gage Skidmore Wikimedia Commons)

Michelle Banks – deaf actress
Rhondee Beriault — deaf actress who also played Helen Keller
Halle Berry — deaf actress (her deafness is a result of domestic violence from an abusive former partner)
Millie Bobby Brown — deaf actress from Stranger Things
Linda Bove — famous deaf actress from Sesame Street
Deanne Bray — famous deaf actress
Amy Ecklund — one of the most famous people with cochlear implants
Phyllis Frelich — Tony award-winning deaf actress
Whoop Goldberg — actress and one of the most famous people with hearing aids
Holly Hunter — deaf actress with hearing loss in one ear
Jane Lynch — deaf actress, singer, and comedian
Marlee Matlin — only deaf actress and performer to have won an Academy Award
Kelly Monaco — deaf actress and TV personality
Millicent Simmonds — deaf actress
Jean St. Clair — deaf actress
Shoshannah Stern — deaf actress

Deaf Actors List

Bruce Willis is one of the most well known deaf celebrities. Willis is nearly deaf in one of his ears. (image source Gage Skidmore Wikimedia Creative Commons)

Bernard Bragg — deaf actor and producer
Julian Peedle-Calloo — British actor, writer, director and TV presenter
Brian Duffy — deaf actor from Scotland
Gaius Lee DuPree – first deaf baby actor, at 9 months old, to work in a film
Daniel Durant — deaf actor and YouTuber
David Ellington — deaf TV personality and actor
Russell Harvard — deaf actor (his parents and his paternal grandmother are also deaf)
Lou Ferrigno — deaf actor best-known as The Hulk
Emilio Insolera — deaf actor and producer
Jonathan Kovacs — former child actor
Rob Lowe — deaf actor (completely deaf in his right ear from an infection as a baby)
Ace Mahbaz — deaf actor and writer
Chella Man — deaf actor, activist, and model
Leslie Nielsen — deaf actor from Canada
Terry Ruane — deaf actor and director
Joseph Sarpy — first known Black deaf actor & first to join the National Theatre of the Deaf
Michael Spady — deaf actor and Broadway star
Kiefer Sutherland – hearing-impaired actor (has issues hearing after playing so many roles with gun-shots and explosions)
Matthew Watkins — actor deaf in real life and on TV
Bruce Willis — actor with hearing loss in one ear

Famous Deaf Leaders, Professionals, and Activists

Claudia Gordon, famous deaf leader and first deaf African American attorney. (image source Wikimedia Public Domain)

These successful deaf individuals are activists, leaders, and professionals:

Dr. Shirley Allen — first deaf African-American Female with Ph.D.
Dr. Glenn B. Anderson — first deaf African-American with Ph.D.
Doug Alker — former chair of the British Deaf Association and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Kelby Brick — Director at Governor’s Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), State of Maryland
Kathleen L. Brockway — deaf activist, author, and historian

Bill Clinton one of the most famous deaf Americans as the 42nd President of the United States. (image US Public Domain)

Bill Clinton — diagnosed with a high-frequency hearing loss while he was serving the second term as the President of the United States
Andrew Foster — Father of Deaf Education in Africa
Angeline Fuller Fischer — deaf activist and author
Claudia Gordon — first deaf Female African-American Lawyer
Dr. Ernest Hairston — deaf activist and author
Casar Jacobson — Disability rights and deaf activist
Aarron Loggins — deaf activist and actor
Nathie Marbury — first Black deaf woman to serve on the National Association of the Deaf board
Lawrence R. Newman — deaf activist, educator, and author
Sara Nović — deaf activist and author
Roger D. O’Kelly — first deaf African-American lawyer
Linwood Smith — deaf activist and author

Famous Deaf People in Sports

Lance Allred deaf athlete from the NBA speaking at TEDx Salt Lake City 2016. (image source Collin Blair Wikimedia Creative Commons)

Lance Allred — famous NBA player and motivation speaker
James “Deaf” Burke – famous deaf boxer
Tamika Catchings — WNBA player
Derrick Coleman — NFL player
LeRoy Colombo — famous deaf lifeguard in the Guinness Book of World Records for saving 907 lives
Gertrude Ederle — the first woman to swim across the English Channel
Ashley Fiolek – deaf motocross racer sponsored by Redbull
Jeffrey “Jeff” Float — the only legally deaf athlete from the USA to win an Olympic gold medal
Eugene “Silent” Hairston — first deaf African American boxer
Kevin Hall — professional golfer
Dummy Hoy — the most accomplished deaf player in MLB history
David Michalowski — first deaf figure skater ever to compete nationally and internationally
Terence Parkin — deaf swimmer and Olympian
Curtis Pride — MLB player
Bonnie Sloan – first deaf football player in the National Football League
Luther H. Taylor — MLB player
Kenny Walker — NFL player

Famous Deaf Celebrities who are Dancers and Performers

Fred Beam & Sunshine 2.0, a theater group at RIT’s National Institute for the Deaf, provides performances and activities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults that highlight the fields of deaf culture, literacy, and STEM.

Here’s a list of famous deaf performers and deaf dancers:

Lexine Brooks — deaf dancer
Antoine Hunter — deaf performer and dancer
Zahna Simon — deaf Bay Area-based dancer
Heather Whitestone — dancer and first deaf Miss America titleholder
Annemarie Timling — deaf dancer
Samantha Figgins — famous deaf dancer
Antoine Hunter — deaf jazz dancer
Shaheem Sanchez — deaf dancer and Tik Tok star
Simone Botha Welgemoed — deaf dancer and former beauty queen
Emery Stalzer — deaf girl dancing sensation
Justin Perez — deaf visual performer
Fred Beam & Sunshine 2.0 — deaf performance group
The Dance Troupe at Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind — deaf performance group
Kassandra Wedel — dancer, actor, and choreographer

Famous Deaf Singers and Musicians

Ludwig Van Beethoven — deaf composer
Sean Forbes — deaf hip-hop artist
Grimes — musician and one of Canada’s most famous people with hearing loss
Darius McCall — calls himself the first deaf rapper
Johnnie Ray — hearing impaired pop singer
Signmark — deaf rap artist from Finland
Wawa Snipe — deaf entertainer and rapper who performed at the Super Bowl
Paul Stanley — famous rock musician and one of the biggest celebrities with hearing loss
James Lee Taylor III — deaf rapper from the Bronx, NY
Pete Townshend — deaf musician and rock artist
Will.i.am — rapper with tinnitus that will eventually lead to irreversible hearing loss

Famous Deaf Models & Designers

Nyle DiMarco famous deaf model and activist. (image source Wikimedia Creative Commons)

Nyle DiMarco — America’s Next Top Model season 22 winner (the second male winner and the first deaf winner)
Carola Insolera — International deaf model
Justin LeBlanc — deaf designer from Project Runway

Famous Deaf Comedians, Entertainers, and Filmmakers

Sean Berdy — deaf comedian and actor
Evon Black — deaf comedian and entertainer
Kamau Buchanan — deaf filmmaker
Kathy Buckley — deaf comedian and speaker
D.J. Demers — deaf comedian known as “the hearing aid guy”
Jessica Flores — deaf comedian and influencer
Vilma Jackson — deaf performance artist
CJ Jones — internationally known deaf comedian (born to deaf parents)
Gavin Lilley — deaf comedian
Magic Morgan & Liliana — deaf comedian magicians
Eric Sykes — deaf comedian, actor, and film writer
Rydrea Walker — deaf filmmaker
Tom Willard — deaf comedian and performer

Famous Deaf Gamers

Danik Soudakoff is one of the most famous deaf gamers whos also an activist for LGBTQ+ rights. (image source Morpheyes Studio YouTube)

Here are some famous deaf gamers making history:

FaZe EwOk — one of the most famous deaf gamers
Danik Soudakoff — deaf gamer
DeafGamersTV — deaf gamer and streamer

Famous Deaf Writers

Hellen Keller, she is one of the most famous deaf writers in history. (image source US Copyright Public Domain)

These great deaf Americans include deaf storytellers, writers, and educators:

Geoffrey R. Ball — author of “No More Laughing at the Deaf Boy: A Technological Adventure between Silicon Valley and the Alps”
Connie Briscoe — NY Times Bestselling deaf author
Rashida Abedi — deaf writer
Donalda Ammons — deaf author and educator
Ben Bahan — one of the most-known deaf storytellers and writer of deaf culture
Edmund Booth — deaf author and journalist
Patricia Carlon — deaf writer
Matt Daigle — creator of “That Deaf Guy” comic along with his wife Kay Daigle

Teresa Deevy — deaf short story writer and playwright
Pierre Desloges — known as the writer of the first book published by a deaf person
Julia Lester Dillon — architecture designer and author
Arthur Dimmock — deaf journalist and author
Michael Eury — deaf comic book writer
Donald Harington — deaf writer and teacher
Lars Havstad — deaf writer, editor, and activist
Helen Keller — deaf and blind author
Ella Mae Lentz — famous deaf poet and author
J. Schuyler Long — deaf author and educator
Harold MacGrath — deaf author who kept his deafness from his readers
Dale Morgan — editor and critic
Carol Padden — deaf author and educator
Yvonne Pitrois — deaf woman writer
Rose Pizzo — deaf author
Edith G. Stedman — deaf author and educator
Samuel James Supalla — deaf author
Ted Supalla — deaf author
Teresa de Cartagena — deaf writer
Heinrich von Treitschke — deaf political writer and historian
Julius Wiggins — deaf author
Mary Herring Wright — deaf writer and contributor to Black American Sign Language

Famous Deaf Artists

Here are some of the most famous deaf artists in history:

Martin Aitchison — deaf illustrator
Asphyxia — deaf artist, writer, and activist
Chuck Baird — deaf artist
John Brewster Jr. — deaf painter
Leonard Leslie Brooke — deaf artist and writer
James Charles Castle — deaf artist and illustrator
Paul-François Choppin — deaf sculptor
Willy Conley — deaf photographer, playwright, and actor
Mary Electa Allen — deaf photographer
Regina Olson Hughes — deaf illustrator
Denis Juneau — deaf painter
Anton Kaulbach — deaf painter
Christine Sun Kim — deaf artist of sound
Elisabeth MacIntyre — deaf illustrator and author
Niall McCormack — deaf artist
William Frederick Mitchell — deaf painter
Hippolyte Montillie — deaf sculptor
Kate Mosher — wood sculpting artist
Shawn Richardson — deaf artist and sign language cartoonist
Judith Scott — deaf sculptor
Charles Shirreff — deaf painter
Louise Stern – deaf artist and writer on the topic of sign language
Alfred Thomson — deaf artist and Olympic medalist
Vincent Van Gogh — famous painter known to have tinnitus that impaired his hearing and intolerance of loud noises
Dorothy Stanton Wise — deaf sculptor

Famous Deaf Inventors, Scientists, and Doctors

Thomas Edison, one of the most famous deaf inventors. Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, but he thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. (image source US Library of Congress Wikimedia Creative Commons)

These deaf scientists, doctors, and famous deaf inventors helped change the world:

Robert Grant Aitken – deaf Astronomer
Guillaume Amontons – deaf Physicist who studied absolute temperature
Donald L. Ballantyne — first deaf Professor of Experimental Surgery
Lewis H. Babbitt — American herpetologist and educator
Frederick A.P. Barnard — deaf scientist and astronomer
Ruth Fulton Benedict — tribal anthropologist
Charles Bonnet — one of the founding fathers of modern biology
Annie Jump Cannon — deaf astronomer who classified 1/3 of a million stars
Harold J. Conn — bacteriologist
Sir John Warchup Cornforth — chemist and noble prize winner
Tilly Edinger — founder of paleoneurology
Thomas Edison – deaf scientist who invented the light bulb but found his deafness as a blessing
Anders Gustaf Ekeberg — deaf chemist who discovered tantalum (metal) in 1802
Fielding Bradford Meek — deaf geologist
Nansie Sharpless — deaf Biochemist
Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky– deaf inventor know as the Father of Astronautics

Famous Deaf Black People

In researching this article, I noticed a tremendous amount of people asking about “famous deaf black people”. You might have seen these famous deaf Black people in the lists above, but because they are such a success, despite struggles they may have faced in life, I put them into one list here to celebrate them again:

Dr. Shirley Allen — first deaf African-American Female with Ph.D.
Dr. Glenn B. Anderson — first deaf African-American with Ph.D.
Michelle Banks — deaf actress
Evon Black — comedian and entertainer
Connie Briscoe — NY Times Bestselling deaf author
Ann Marie “Jade” Bryan — deaf filmmaker
Kamau Buchanan — deaf filmmaker
Tamika Catchings — WNBA player
Derrick Coleman — NFL player
Andrew Foster — Father of Deaf Education in Africa
Whoopi Goldberg — hearing loss affected actress

Whoopi Goldberg, actress and one of the most famous people with hearing aids. (image source Wikimedia Creative Commons)

Claudia Gordon — first deaf Female African-American Lawyer
Dr. Ernest Hairston — deaf activist and author
Eugene “Silent” Hairston — first deaf African American boxer
Kevin Hall — professional golfer
Antoine Hunter — deaf performer and dancer
CJ Jones — internationally known deaf comedian
Aarron Loggins — deaf activist and actor
Nathie Marbury — first Black deaf woman to serve on the National Association of the Deaf board
Darius McCall — calls himself the first deaf rapper
Roger D. O’Kelly — first deaf African-American lawyer
Curtis Pride — MLB player
Shawn Richardson — deaf artist and sign language cartoonist
Joseph Sarpy — first known Black deaf actor & first to join the National Theatre of the Deaf
Linwood Smith — deaf activist and author
Wawa Snipe — deaf entertainer and rapper who performed at the Super Bowl
Michael Spady — deaf actor and Broadway star
Kenny Walker — NFL player
Mary Herring Wright — deaf writer and contributor to Black American Sign Language

Famous People with Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, or Dyspraxia

What is the meaning of dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia research shows about 4-6% population in the U.S. is impacted. Dyscalculia affects a person’s ability to acquire mathematical skills. According to intechopen.com, people with autism spectrum disorder have higher for other conditions like dyscalculia.

What is the meaning of dysgraphia?

In the history of dysgraphia, it’s often seen in people with ADHD. What is dysgraphia? According to AdditudeMag:

“Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing ability and fine motor skills. It interferes with spelling, word spacing, and the general ability to put thoughts on paper, and makes the process of writing laboriously slow.”

Dysgraphia affects children and adults.

Is dyspraxia a learning disability?

Dyspraxia causes poor balance, poor motor skills, and clumsiness. Symptoms of dyspraxia and dyslexia often overlap so many people say it’s a learning disability. According to the Dyspraxia Foundation:

“Research suggests that 52% of children with dyslexia have features of dyspraxia”

Now, on to my list:

Famous People with Dyscalculia

Famous person with dyscalculia, Henry Winkler The Fonz at the Raleigh Supercon in 2018. (Image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Super Festivals)

I found these famous people with dyscalculia (diagnosed or reported) during my research on famous people with disabilities:

Hans Christian Andersen — writer best remembered for his fairy tales (source: NumberDyslexia)
Cher — singer, actress and TV personality known as the “Goddess of Pop” (IMSE Journal)
Thomas Edison — known as the world’s greatest inventor (NumberDyslexia)
Albert Einstein — one of the greatest physicists of all time (Dyscalculia Awareness)
Benjamin Franklin — writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher (NumberDyslexia)
Luis Armand Garcia — actor best known as Max Lopez on the sitcom George Lopez (Dr. Linda’s Blog)
Bill Gates — software developer, investor, author, philanthropist, and the co-founder of Microsoft (Dr. Linda’s Blog)
Mick Hucknall — singer and songwriter of soul-pop band Simply Red (NumberDyslexia)
Mary Tyler Moore — TV personality best known for The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (Dyscalculia Awareness)
Sarah Barrable-Tishauer — actress best known for her role as Liberty Van Zandt in Degrassi: The Next Generation (Dr. Linda’s Blog)
Henry Winkler — actor and director best known for his role as “The Fonz” on Happy Days (NumberDyslexia)

Famous People with Dyspraxia

Cara Delevingne, famous dyspraxia person at London Fashion Week. (image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Walterlan Papetti)

I found this list of famous people with dyspraxia (diagnosed or rumored) during my research on famous people with dyslexia:

David Bailey — fashion and portrait photographer (source: Dyspraxia Kids)
Emma Lewell-Buck — Labour Party politician (Disability News Service)
G K Chesterton — writer referred to as the “prince of paradox” (Dyspraxia Kids)
Samuel Taylor Coleridge — poet and founder of the Romantic Movement in England (Dyspraxia Kids)
Cara Delevingne — English supermodel, actress, and singer (Dyspraxia Kids)
Albert Einstein — one of the greatest physicists of all time (Dyspraxia Kids)
Jack Kerouac — writer best known for the novel ‘On the Road,’ pioneering the Beat Generation in the 50s (Dyspraxia Kids)
Jamie Oliver — celebrity TV chef, cookbook author, and restauranteur (Dyspraxia Kids)
Daniel Radcliffe — actor and star of the Harry Potter movies (Dyspraxia Kids)
Florence Welch — singer and songwriter for Florence and the Machine (Dyspraxia Kids)
Marco Pierre White — TV personality and restauranteur known as the first celebrity chef (Dyspraxia Kids)

Famous People with Dysgraphia

Famous person with dysgraphia, Daniel Radcliffe, speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International for Victor Frankenstein at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego California. (image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Gage Skidmore)

Here is a list of dysgraphia famous people (diagnosed or reported) I found while researching famous people with ADHD:

Cher — singer, actress, and TV personality known as the “Goddess of Pop” (source: Princesses Can Wear Kickers)
Agatha Christie — author best known for her detective novels and short stories (Health Research Funding – HRF)
Thomas Edison — known as the world’s greatest inventor (HRF)
Albert Einstein — one of the greatest physicists of all time (Princesses Can Wear Kickers)
Louis Pasteur — chemist most known for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization (Princesses Can Wear Kickers)
George Patton — military general who held Corps- and Army-level commands during World War II (HRF)
Daniel Radcliffe — actor and star of the Harry Potter movies (Princesses Can Wear Kickers)
George Washington — first President of the United States (Princesses Can Wear Kickers)
Henry Winkler — actor and director best known for his role as “The Fonz” on Happy Days (HRF)

Famous Inclusive Leaders: LGBTQ+ Leaders in Business & Beyond

A 2022 joint study by the Center for American Progress and NORC showed that 46% of LGBTQ+ team members have experienced unfair treatment or mistreatment at work. So, hiring teams serve a critical role in building a culture that provides LGBTQ+ talent with workplace safety to function at their best.

Pushing for a DEIB directive also enables companies to overcome stereotypes and taboos among team members and create a safe space. Doing so fosters a supportive, positive, and inclusive environment that encourages acceptance and equality. It also helps with understanding among individuals, in turn, boosting productivity and innovation.

These famous inclusive leaders have driven LGBTQ+ inclusion in their respective industries. Thus, ushering change and equality in their thoughts and actions.

Tim Cook (Apple CEO) – A vocal advocate for workplace equality. The Apple leader is known for establishing and maintaining equitable work environments that have contributed to the company’s success as a multi-trillion-dollar tech leader. Tim’s accolades include receiving Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leader award in 2015.

Elliot Page – Actor and trans rights activist. The actor was nominated for 76 awards in the American and Canadian film industry and won 31 of them. Elliot continues to break barriers, as the first openly transgendered man to appear on Time magazine.

Martina Navratilova – Pushed for LGBTQ+ protections in sports and business. Martina has achieved unrivaled accomplishments in tennis. These include shoring up 59 Grand Slam titles across the singles, doubles, and also mixed doubles categories. In addition to her trailblazing accolades, she was ranked the world’s top women’s singles player for 332 consecutive weeks.

📢 Hiring Tip: Use gender-neutral job descriptions to attract diverse talent through a work culture that supports gender equality.

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Black Leaders Who Broke Barriers

Findings from the FPWA discovered that black employees generally earn 20% less than their white co-workers. The disparity remains a national concern, involving other job-related complications like insufficient minimum wages and noticeably higher loan debt. These factors undoubtedly hinder career development and livelihood in the black community.

Organizations that proactively prioritize DEIB can address these gaps by reviewing job descriptions for bias and ensuring equitable access to growth opportunities. Even tools like cloud security camera systems play a role in maintaining safe, monitored, and inclusive physical workspaces.

The following list of innovative and progressive members of the Black community made great leaps of progress through their outstanding contributions:

Oprah Winfrey – First Black woman to own a media network. Oprah went on to become a household name in America and beyond and was. She was, at a time, the highest-paid talk show host in the country. She also started the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, which contributes to worldwide humanitarian causes. These include donation drives and improving the accessibility of education.

Barack Obama – First Black U.S. President, champion of equal employment. The 44th POTUS received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his political dedication through “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

Ketanji Brown Jackson – First Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. Ketanji was the first black woman and federal public defender to rise to the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Her official actions include disagreeing with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, stating that the ruling misused the Equal Protection Clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law.

📢 Hiring Tip: Eliminate bias from job postings with Ongig’s Text Analyzer.

Successful Gay Entrepreneurs (LGBT Inventors & Famous Gay Scientists)

Business Insider recently said Tim Cook, Apple CEO:

“is arguably the most prominent LGBTQ+ person in tech, but he isn’t the only one.

This list includes people who have changed the world with their ideas. They are famous gay entrepreneurs, gay inventors, and famous gay scientists.

Brandon Anderson (entrepreneur)
Ana Arriola (product designer)
Peter Arvais (entrepreneur)
David Bohnett (entrepreneur)
David Blumberg (entrepreneur)
Kylar Broadus (entrepreneur)
Dr. Shante Cofield (entrepreneur)
Lynn Conway (computer scientist)
Tim Cook (entrepreneur)
Clive Davis (record company exec)
Sarah Kate Ellis (president of GLAAD)
Ruth Gates (scientist)
David Geffen (gay American business magnate)

Many people ask is David Geffen gay? The answer is yes. Geffen came out as gay in 1992.

Tim Gill (entrepreneur)
John “maddog” Hall (computer scientist)
Arlan Hamilton (investor)
Chris Hughes (entrepreneur)
John Maynard Keynes (economist)
Lara Mendonça (Head of Design at Twitter)
Florence Nightingale (founder of modern-day nursing)
Jennifer O’Neal (former co-head of Blizzard Entertainment/Activision)

When O’Neal emailed re: her resignation in 2021 she wrote:

“I have been tokenized, marginalized, and discriminated against”source: The Wall Street Journal

Leanne Pittsford (entrepreneur)
Keith Rabois — General partner at Founders Fund. Known for his early-stage startup investments and executive roles at PayPal, LinkedIn, Square and Slide.
Jeff Ragovin (entrepreneur)
Sally Ride (astronaut)
Martine Rothblatt (entrepreneur)
Angelica Ross (entrepreneur)
Lisa Sherman (Ad Council CEO)
Joel Simkhai (entrepreneur)
Peter Sisson (entrepreneur)
Megan Smith (computer scientist, engineering technologist)
Sara Sperling (entrepreneur, public speaker)
Peter Thiel (entrepreneur)
Gina Trapani (entrepreneur and web developer)
Alan Turing (mathemetician)
Darren Walker (entrepreneur)
Rick Welts (president of Golden State Warriors)
Claudia Brind-Woody (tech executive)

Famous Gay Authors & Writers

Janet Mock’s name likely comes up when talking about famous gay writers. Mock is a New York Times best-selling author of books like “Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More”.

A gay author searched on by more than anyone is former President Trump’s niece Mary Trump, author of “Too Much and Never Enough” as of April 2021, an amazing 1,110 people per month Google the question “Is Mary Trump Gay”.

Is Mary Trump gay? famous lesbian authors — Mary Trump President Trumps niece and author Mary Trump Screenshot of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Here’s a list of more famous gay writers, playwrights, screenwriters, and poets from past and present.

Allison Adler (tv writer/producer)
Nathan Aguilera (author)
Niki Albon (blogger)
Hilton Als (writer)
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (playwright)
Alan Ball (writer)
James Baldwin (novelist)
Steven Canals (screenwriter)
Ann Mei Chang (author)
Lee Daniels (screenwriter)
Russell T. Davies (screenwriter)
Brian Fuller (tv writer)
Roxanne Gay (writer)
Glenn Greenwald (journalist)
Nina Jacobson (film writer/producer)
Uwern Jong (magazine editor/writer)
Larry Kramer (playwright)
Tarell Alvin McCraney (playwright)
Janet Mock (writer)
Ryan Murphy (tv writer)
Wilfred Owen (poet)
Lydia Polgreen (journalist)
John Preston (author)
Celine Sciamma (screenwriter)
Justin Simien (writer/producer)
Jill Soloway (tv writer/director)
Stephen Sondheim (one of the most well-known composers and musical lyricists in history)
Kara Swisher (tech journalist)
Matthew Paul Turner (author)
Mary Trump (author)
Gore Vidal (writer)
Oscar Wilde (gay poet) Oscar Wilde was sent to prison for indecendy related to his homosexuality

oscar wilde gay — Famous gay poet Oscar Wilde in 1882 image source Library of Congress Wikipedia Creative Commons

Jacqueline Wilson (author)

10 LGBTQ Authors

Kristen Arnett (gay author and essayist)
Brandi Carlile (gay author and singer-songwriter)
Akwaeke Emezi (gay author and video artist)
Jack Guinness (gay author, model, and presenter)
Michael Koresky (gay author, film critic and filmmaker)
Trent Preszler (gay author, CEO of Bedell Cellars and former Chairman of WineAmerica)
Steven Rowley (gay author and screenwriter)
Paul Rudnick (gay author and screenplay writer)
Eliot Schrefer (adult and young-adult gay author)
Nghi Vo (gay author and novelist)

Famous Gay Politicians (& Government Officials)

important gay people in history — Pete Buttigieg US Secretary of Transportation and the first openly gay person confirmed to US cabinet source Wikipedia Gage Skidmore

In 2018, Former Mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum told the Tampa Bay Times:

“I don’t identify as gay but I do identify as bisexual, and that is something that I have never shared publicly before.”

Many of these famous gay politicians fight for LGBTQ+ rights. They are activists, senators, judges, governors, and more.

Sam Adams (Oregon politician)
Bob Allen (Florida politician)
Waheed Alli (UK House of Lords member)
John S. Arrowood (North Carolina Judge)
Tammy Baldwin (U.S. Senator)
Clément Beaune (French politician)
Xavier Bettel (Prime Minister, Luxembourg)
Ana Brnabić (Prime Minister, Serbia)
Kate Brown (Governor of Oregon)
Pete Buttigieg (U.S. Secretary of Transportation)
David Cicilline (U.S. Representative)
Ruth Davidson (Scottish Parliament Member)
Angela Davis (American Political Activist)
Sally Miller Gearhart (activist and first open lesbian to obtain a tenure-track faculty position when she was hired by San Francisco State University)
Rufus Gifford (American politician, diplomat, and reality television personality, he was the United States Ambassador to Denmark.)
Andrew Gillum (Mayor of Tallahassee)
Barbara Gittings (LGBT activist)
Alexander the Great (King of Macedon)
Chad Griffin (Political Strategist)
Jennicet Gutiérrez (community organizer for Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement)
James Hormel (LGBT activist & U.S. Ambassdor)

famous gay activists james hormel | Ongig Blog — Ambassador James Hormel was presented with the Nancy Pelosi Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in the LGBT community and philanthropic efforts image source Wikipedia Creative Commons

James Hormel died on August 13, 2021. He was the 1st openly gay U.S. ambassador and a philanthropist. He also funded organizations to fights AIDS and was a promoter of human rights.

“U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who officiated at Hormel’s wedding to his husband, said Hormel ‘made it his mission to fight for dignity and equality for all’ and noted his philanthropic contributions to health, artistic and educational organizations.”source: James Hormel, first openly gay U.S. ambassador, dies at 88 — Washington Post

Karine Jean-Pierre (1st openly gay U.S. Press Secretary)
Frank Kameny (gay civil rights activist)
Lori Lightfoot (Mayor of Chicago)
Wade McLauchlan (Premier of Prince Edward Island)
Harvey Milk (San Francisco Board of Supervisors)
Indya Moore (gay activist and actor)
Layla Moran (UK Parliament member)
Gianmarco Negri (Italian mayor)
John Paulk (advocate — formerly of the “ex-gay movement”)

John Paulk was once the most famous ex-gay person in the world because of his support for conversion therapy. But:

“In 2013, Paulk disavowed Exodus and the idea of conversion therapy, apologizing for his role in promoting it for so many years. He no longer identifies as “formerly gay.” He is gay.”source: What It’s Like to Survive Gay Conversion Therapy

Jared Polis (Colorado Governor)
Geraldine Roman (U.S. Representative)
Aaron Schock (U.S. Representative)
E. Denise Simmons (Mayor of Massachusetts)
Mark Takano (U.S. Representative)
Rep. Ritchie Torres (the first gay Afro Latino member of Congress)
Leo Varadkar (Irish politician)

Famous Gay Actors and Famous Gay Actresses + Entertainers, LGBT Influencers & TV Personalities

Ellen DeGeneres is probably one of the most famous lesbian celebrities in the world. Ellen came out as a lesbian in 1997 and is a pioneer in the fight for LGBTQ equal rights according to a podcast from Making Gay History. Ellen paved the way for actors that are gay and other famous gay stars.

Here’s a list of famous gay actors and actress, influencers, and gay TV actors.

Gay Actors

Jack Dylan Grazer Instagram — Jack Dylan Grazer gay actor behind Pixars Luca came out on Instagram Live as bisexual in July 2021 image source Gage Skidmore Wikipedia Creative Commons

Dan Amboyer (actor)
Jonathan Bailey (openly gay actor from Bridgerton)
Michael Barrymore (actor)
Jim J. Bullock (openly gay actor and 90s TV host)

gay batman kevin conroy — The first gay Batman Kevin Conroy at the 2019 WonderCon in Anaheim California image source Wikimedia Creative Commons Gage Skidmore

Kevin Conroy (secretly the first gay Batman actor)
Rick Cosnett (actor)
Anderson Cooper (TV journalist)
Wilson Cruz (part of Star Trek TV’s first gay couple along with Anthony Rapp). Cruz plays Dr. Hugh Culber.
Benjamin Daimary (first openly gay Indian actor)
Robin de Jesús (gay actor from new musical tick, tick…BOOM!)
Guillermo Díaz (gay actor from Scandal and Weeds)
Asia Kate Dillon (nonbinary actor)
Divine (actor)
Jack Dillon Grazer (actor)
gay actor in Candyman (Colman Domingo)
Harvey Guillén (gay actor from the acclaimed FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows)
Sean Hayes (actor from Will & Grace and new spy series Q-Force where he is the first ever queer agent in the field)
Tab Hunter (actor)
Tommy Kirk (gay actor who starred in Old Yeller and The Shaggy Dog as a child)
Kadiff Kirwan (gay actor who plays a homophobic polce officer in I May Destory You)
Dan Levy (actor)
Kristian Nairn (actor)
Ben Platt (gay actor and star of Dear Evan Hansen)
Billy Porter (first openly gay actor to win the Emmy award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series)
DJ Qualls (actor)
Anthony Rapp (part of Star Trek TV’s first gay couple along with Wilson Cruz). Rapp plays Lt. Paul Stamets.
Robin Roberts (broadcaster)
RuPaul (actor)
Haaz Sleiman (actor and gay character Ben in the newest Marvel film, “Eternals”.
Jaden Smith (actor)
Ben Whishaw (gay James Bond actor in new film “No Time to Die” — he plays Bond’s gadget developer Q)

Gay TV Personalities

These stars who are gay are well-known for their presence on TV:

J. Alexander (TV personality)
Lance Bass (former NSYNC star and TV host) Is Lance Bass gay? Yes, openly. And he told Yahoo! he would “love to host an LGBTQ version of The Bachelor.”

is lance bass gay — Lance Bass Famous Gay Entertainer at the 2nd Annual QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE philanthropic pageant to benefit UNESCO Education for Children in Need Foundation presented by founder Joyce Giraud and Infinity Films at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills California on March 16 2014 image source © Glenn Francis wwwPacificProDigitalcom

Bobby Berk (TV personality)
Andy Cohen (TV host)
Ellen DeGeneres (TV host)
Don Lemon (TV journalist)
Rachel Maddow (TV host)
Antonio Porowski (TV personality)
Michaela Jaé ‘Mj’ Rodriguez (first transgender performer to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy)
Phillip Schofield (TV host)
Colton Underwood (TV personality/football star)

In November 2021, Netflix released a new docuseries called Coming Out Colton, where Colton shares his “coming out” experience:

Jonathan Van Ness (TV personality)

Gay Actresses List

Drew Barrymore (actress)
Laverne Cox (actress)
Rosario Dawson (actress)
Beanie Feldstein (actress)
Sara Gilbert (actress)
Jameela Jamil (LGBTQ actresses)
Stacy London (LGBTQ actresses)
Aubrey Plaza (“Parks and Recreation” actress)
Tanya Saracho (actress)
Kristen Stewart (actress)
Tessa Thompson (bisexual Afro-Latina actress is best known for her roles in “Men in Black: International” and “Creed.”)

This list is dynamic, and I will keep adding more of the most popular gay actors and actresses.

Famous LGBT Instagram Influencers, LGBT YouTubers & TikTok LGBT Stars

LGBT_Influencers — LGBT influencer Bretman Rock the first gay man to appear on the cover of Playboy Magazine image source Wikimedia Creative Commons

Here are some famous gay celebrities that may not be on TV, but they are LGBT Instagram influencers, LGBT YouTubers, and TikTok LGBT sensations making a name on social media:

LGBT Instagram Influencers

Bre and Laci, @theladiesvan (adventurous teachers and LGBT Instagram Influencers)
Jenny Bruso, @jennybruso (LGBT Instagram Influencer, founder of @UnlikelyHikers and self-identified “white, queer, fat femme taking body liberation outdoors”)
Deg Xit’an Dené/Sugpiaq, @go_barefoot (an Indigenous, semi-nomadic, and queer-identifying fisherwoman and LGBT Influencer)
Gay Pride Apparel, @gayprideapparel (LGBTQ+ fashion account)
@goldengreengirl (climate change champion and LGBT Influencer)
@happykamper (Travel LGBT Instagram Influencers)
Isaias Hernandez, @queerbrownvegan (popular amongst eco-minded LGBT Instagram influencers)
@jaunting.jay (Well-known amongst LGBT Instagram Influencers focused on veganism, pansexuality, and other forms of queerness)
Joey Jay, @joeyjayisgay (the first drag queen from Phoenix to compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Scotty Kirby, AKA @scottykirbyphoto (drag, portrait and fashion photographer)
Mikah Meyer, @mikahmey (Known for being a queer pioneer, role model, and one of the most popular LGBT Instagram Influencers)
Malori and Ashley, @malleyinlove (Ashley and Malori, an LGBTQ couple that met on Bumble two years ago)
@Pattiegonia (photographer, gay civil rights activist, and LGBT Influencer)
One.n.ten, @onentenphx a (nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to serving and assisting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth)
Piper M’Shay, @pipermshay (Ariana Grande drag queen)
Pınar Yaku Sinopoulos-Lloyd, @queerquechua (self-proclaimed “trans-Indigenous mutant,” “multi-species futurist,” and “neurodivergent psychonaut”)
@QueersforClimateJustice (LGBT Instagram Influencers and environmentalists)
Nikki Smith, @nikkik_smith (photographer, climber, writer, trans activist, and ambassador for Mountain Hardwear)
Diné Pride, @navajo_nation_pride (the largest Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebration in the country)
Tempest DuJour, @tempestdujour drag queen and famous LGBT designer)
Rose Montoya, @rosalynnemontoya (LGBT model, actor, makeup artist, and public speaker)
Shaun Blokker, @shaunt (Beachbody star and one of the most well-known LGBT influencers)

LGBT YouTubers

James Charles (YouTube LGBT Personality)
Nikkie de Jager (gay YouTube star)
Ricky Dillon (gay YouTube star)
Gigi Gorgeous (YouTube LGBT personality)
Erin Eden, @transending7 (mountaineer and popular LGBT Instagram Influencer)
Manuel ‘Manny Mua’ Gutierrez (gay YouTube personality and beauty influencer)
Tyler Oakley (gay YouTube personality)
Josh Rimer (gay YouTube personality)

TikTok LGBT Influencers

Astrud Elizabeth Aurelia, @astrudaurelia (LGBT musician and singer/songwriter)
Cas Davis, @uppercasma (TikTok LGBT influencer)
The Coyle Twins (drag queens and TikTok LGBT influencers)
Nikita Dragun (trans model and TikTok LGBT star)
Pink Neinu (make-up artist and TikTok LGBT influencer)
Steven Sutton (TikTok LGBT influencer)
Towabird (TikTok LGBT influencer)
Martha Wubbles (fashion model and TikTok LGBT influencer)

Famous Gay Comedians

SNL star Bowen Yang opened up to the Huffington Post in January 2020 about his experience with “gay conversion” therapy before he embraced his sexuality.

These famous gay comedians make people laugh, and some are also activists for LGBTQ+ rights.

Stephen K. Amos (comedian)
Simon Amstell (comedian)
Joel Kim Booster (stand-up comedian/actor)
Margaret Cho (stand-up comedian/actor)
Billy Eichner (comedian)
Fortune Feimster (comedian)
Liz Feldman (comedian)
Hannah Gadsby (comedian)
Sam Jay (comedian)
Kate McKinnon (comedian/actor)
Flame Monroe (drag queen comedian)
Tig Notaro (stand-up comic)
Wanda Sykes (comedian/actress)
Josh Thomas (comedian)
Julio Torres (comedian)
Jaboukie Young-White (comedian)
Bowen Yang (comedian/actor)

Famous Gay Musicians

In 2015, Halsey told Billboard she is “bisexual, bipolar, and an inconvenient woman.”

Here are some other famous gay music artists and famous lgbt musicians. They are rappers and singer-songwriters from around the world.

Famous Gay Rappers

Kevin Abstract (rapper)
Babydaddy (rapper)
Azealia Banks (rapper)
Tyler, The Creator (rapper)

Famous Gay Singer | Lil Nas X — Famous Gay Singer Lil Nas X backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards 2019 image source Wikipedia Creative Commons Fabebk

Lil Nas X (rapper) — Lil Nas X’s real name is Montero Lamar Hill. He’s known for his shocking videos (Montero (Call Me By Your Name), Industry Baby, “Satan shoes” (which reportedly contains a drop of his own blood.). He also shared a picture of himself in September 2021 showing a “baby bump” and suggesting he’s pregnant.
Bugz Gutta ( Born William Bailey) an up-and-coming New York MC, a proudly out black gay man

Famous Gay Singers

Gaye Adegbalola (singer)
David Archuleta (one of “American Idol’s” most famous gay singers and runner-ups)
Bille Joe Armstrong (singer-songwriter)
Mel B (singer)
Carl Bean (gay singer)
Andy Bell (famous gay singer from Erasure)
Steven Bronski (famous gay singer from Bronski Beat)
Stormé DeLarverie (singer)
Emily Estefan (singer and daughter of Grammy-winning music icon Gloria Estefan)
Gaahl (black metal singer)
Rob Halford (lead singer of Judas Priest)
Patrick Haggarty, Eve Morris, and Michael Carr (part of the band Lavender Country who made the first openly gay country album in 1973)
Halsey (singer-songwriter)
Janis Jolpin (singer)
Hayden Joseph (famous gay country music singer — anthem Backwoods Bougie)

Elton John (singer)
Adam Lambert (openly gay singer who did a collaboration with Queen)
Demi Lovato (pop singer)

Ricky Martin (solo singer (Livin’ La Vida Loca”) and one of the gay Menudo members)
T.J. Osborne (singer)
Ben Platt (singer/actor)
Jannelle Monáe (singer-songwriter)
Freddie Mercury (singer-songwriter)
Jake Wesley Rogers (gay singer from Nashville, TN)
Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson (singer-songwriter)
Troye Sivan (gay singer)
JoJo Siwa (singer, dancer, and one of the youngest LGBTQ influencers)

JoJo_Siwa_2_cropped | Ongig Blog — JoJo Siwa famous gay singer influencer and YouTube star image source Wikipedia Creative Commons

Sam Smith (singer)
Neil Tennant (famous gay singer from Pet Shop Boys). After many asking the question, are the Pet Shop Boys Gay? Tennant came out to Attitude Magazine in 1994.
Justin Tranter (gay singer-songwriter)
Brendon Urie (singer)

Famous Gay Drummers and Keyboardists

Roddy Bottum (Faith No More — keyboard)
Hayley Cramer (drummer)

Hayley told Blabbermouth.net this about gender orientation and being a role model for women:

“I’m predominantly known as a female. I present myself as a female. But there’s a huge part of me that feels I should have been born a man. And now we’re touching on the subject of me being in a band with a bunch of men, and me being the gay female. And it works. It works because if I close my eyes, I’m neither male or female.”source: POP EVIL’s HAYLEY CRAMER: ‘If I Didn’t Have My Drumming Ability… I May Have Made The Transition To A Man’

Was Liberace gay?

People also speculated that Liberace was gay. Here’s what we found on Wikipedia about the question:

“In a 2011 interview, actress and close friend Betty White stated that Liberace was indeed gay and that she was often used as a beard by his managers to counter public rumors of the musician’s homosexuality.”source: Wikipedia

Famous Gay Athletes

English footballer Thomas Beattie is among other famous gay professional athletes coming out and speaking out. He told the Advocate in June 2020, “The LGBTQ+ community doesn’t have much representation in the world of professional football.”

This list of notable gay athletes includes Olympians, wrestlers, soccer players, track and field stars, skiers, and more.

Daniel Arcos (basketball player)
Thomas Beattie (soccer player)
Billy Bean (LGBT athlete and Major League Baseball’s first inclusion ambassador)
Glenn Burke (first openly gay MLB player)
Jason Collins (basketball player/coach)
Levi Davis (rugby star)
Dennis Finnegan (track and field star)
Alex Johnson (World Cup Gold Medalist and LGBTQI+ activist)
Chris Kelley (rugby star)
Greg Louganis (diver)
Haylie McCleney (softball player)
Tegan Nox (professional wrestler)
Hig Roberts (alpine skier)
Zach Sullivan (ice hockey player)
Markus Thormeyer (swimmer)

Famous Gay Olympians

Nicola Adams (Olympic boxer)
Jason Brown (Olympic figure skater)
Caitlyn Jenner (Olympic-decathlete, TV personality, and gubernatorial candidate for California (to unseat Gavin Newsom in a recall)
Karin Büttner-Janz (Olympic gymnast)
Tom Daley (British Olympic diver)
Gus Kenworthy (Olympic freestyle skier, actor & YouTuber)
Marian Lay (Olympic swimmer)
Margorie Larbey (historical gay Olympian & LGBT youth rights activist)
Gail Marquis (1st Black queer Olympian and medallist with the USA women’s basketball team of 1976)
Susan McGreivy (Olympic swimmer)
Violette Morrris (historical gay Olympian)
Helen Stephens (Olympic sprinter)
Sam Stosur (Olympic boxer)
Chelsea Wolfe (Olympic BMX’er)
Ireen Wüst (the most decorated queer Olympian)

Famous Gay Football Players

Carl Nassib (first active player in the National Football League to share that he’s gay)

Carl Nassib is the first of famous gay football players to come out while actively playing the sport. Here are some tweets of support I saw on BuzzFeed after his announcement:

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Dorien Bryant (Heisman Winner)
Scott Cooper (college football star)
Mason Darrow (college football star)
Wade Davis (former NFL player)
Mitchell Eby (college football star)
Scott Frantz (college football star)
Ed Gallagher (college football star)
Alan Gendreau (college football star)
My-King Johnson (college football star)
Kwame Harris (former NFL player)
Dave Kopay (former NFL player)
Kyle Kurziolek (college football star)
Theodore Lisoski (semi-pro football player)
Eric Lueshen (college football star)
Darrion McAlister (college football star)
Ray McDonald (former NFL player)
Conner Mertens (college football star)
Ryan O’Callaghan (former NFL player)
Wyatt Pertuset (college football star)
Ryan Russell (pro football player)
Michael Sam (former NFL player)
Chip Sarafin (college football star)
Roy Simmons (former NFL player)
Brian Sims (college football star)
Jerry Smith (former NFL player)
Brad Thorson (free agent & gay rugby player)
Esera Tualo (former NFL player)

I focused the above list on professional gay athletes but look forward to adding amateur ones, too.

Michael Goodell (famous LA pilates instructor and brother of NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell)…Roger Goodell protected his gay brother Michael from bullies growing up, according to Outsports. He’s also been in the news recently regarding racial comments by NFL coach Jon Gruden.

Famous Gay Models [and Designers]

top 10 gay actors and models — Cara Delevingne English Model source Wikipedia Gage Skidmore

Supermodel Cara Delevingne is open about her pansexuality. She told Independent in June 2020 that:

“However one defines themselves, whether it’s ‘they’ or ‘he’ or ‘she,’ I fall in love with the person — and that’s that. I’m attracted to the person.”

Here’s a list of famous gay models and famous gay fashion designers.

Famous Gay Models

Cassandra Bankson (model)
Adonis Bosso (model)
Cara Delevingne (model)
Lottie Moss (model)
Maya Noir (model)
Devin-Norelle (nonbinary model)
Hanne Gaby Odiele (model)
Tatiana Ringsby (model)
Hunter Schafer (model)
B. Hawk Snipes (model)

Famous Gay Fashion Designers & Jewelers

Tom Ford (fashion designer)
Tan France (fashion designer)
Gina Furth (Hollywood jeweler)
Roy “Halston” Frowick (fashion designer)
Michael Kors (fashion designer)
Raf Simons (fashion designer)

Famous LGBT People of Color

best gay actors — One of the most famous gay black actors Wanda Sykes TV Personality source Wikipedia Greg Hernandez

Wanda Sykes is one of the most famous LGBT people of color. She’s also an activist for LGBT rights. Here’s a link to the Wanda Sykes gay commercial titled “That’s So Gay“, from 2008. The ad campaign’s message was the think before you speak, and not use the word “gay” loosely.

The famous gay people in the list below might already be listed earlier in this article, but we wanted to do a special section for famous LGBT people of color. WSTB also named a few of these famous LGBT people of color in their list of “10 prominent Black pioneers.”

Kylar Broadus (entrepreneur)
Laverne Cox (actress)
Wilson Cruz (actor)
Wade Davis (former NFL player)
Andrea Jenkins (politician)
Marsha P. Johnson (LGBTQ+ activist)
Frank Ocean (singer-songwriter)
Ron Oden (California Politician)
Dennis Rodman (NBA player)
Bayard Rustin (LGBTQ+ activist)
E. Denise Simmons (Mayor of Massachusetts)
Lilly Singh (YouTuber personality)
Amandla Stenberg (actress)
Wanda Sykes (comedian/actress)
Lena Waithe (screenwriter)

Famous Gay Artists

top 10 gay celebrities — Gilbert Baker pride flag designer and artist source Wikipedia Gareth Watkins

This is a list of famous gay artists, including painters, photographers, and sculptors. I also listed Gilbert Baker, pride flag designer.

Gilbert Baker (artist)
Joan Biren (photographer)
Rosa Bonheur (sculptor/painter)
Bronzino (painter)
Cathy Cade (photographer)
Tammy Rae Carland (photographer/video artist)
Liz Collins (contemporary artist)
Enrico Corte (contemporary artist)
Leonardo da Vinci (painter/sculptor)
Electrosexual (electronic artist)
Richard Fung (video artist)
Harmony Hammond (artist)
David Hockney (painter)
Derek Jarman (artist)
Kiss and Tell collective (performance artist)
Anna Elizabeth Klumpke (portrait artist)
Kate Millett (artist and activist)
Allyson Mitchell (sculptor)
Catherine Sue Opie (fine-art photographer)
Maria E. Piñeres (artist)
Jill Posener (photographer)
Tim Tate (artist)
Mickalene Thomas (visual artist)
Andy Warhol (painter)
Del LaGrace Volcano (genderqueer artist)

People Yearn to Know if Someone Famous “is gay”

As part of my research, I was amazed to discover the amount of Google traffic there is of people wondering if a famous person is gay. Here are some examples of the most popular queries:

Is Pete Buttigieg gay? (8,700 queries/month)
Is Sam Smith gay? (9,400 queries/month)
Is Lil Nas X gay? (7,100 queries/month)
Is Dan Levy gay? (6,000 queries/month)
Is Anderson Cooper gay? (4,800 queries/month)
Is Elsa gay? (4,600 queries/month) (yes, this is THE Elsa from the Frozen movie series)
Is Don Lemon gay? (queries/month 4,400)
Is Kate McKinnon gay? (4,100 queries/month)
Is Elton John gay? (3,200 queries/month)
Is Dennis Rodman gay? (3,000 queries/month)
Is Kristen Stewart gay? (2,600 queries/month)
Is Andy Cohen gay? (1,800 queries/month)
Is Halsey gay? (1,700 queries/month)
Is Lil Nas gay? (1,300 queries/month)
Is Mary Trump gay? (1,100 queries/month)
Is RuPal Gay (800 queries/month)

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Transgender & Non-Binary Icons

Research from the UCLA Williams Institute shared that 59% of non-binary employees face some form of discrimination in the workplace. The same study showed that 16% of these respondents even faced unfair treatment due to their gender identity. Thus, resulting in job loss and missed hiring/promotion opportunities.

As such, it’s crucial for hiring teams to prioritize inclusive hiring practices for transgendered and binary individuals. These comprise an estimated 1.3 million adults in the US. These talented individuals have carved out spectacular careers in representing and raising awareness about the transgendered and non-binary community:

Laverne Cox – Actress and activist for transgender workplace inclusion. TIME magazine voted Laverne as the most dynamic transgender character in history. Lavern was also the first openly transgendered actress nominated for an Emmy.

Sam Smith – Non-binary musician advocating for gender diversity. The talented and widely acclaimed performer has a long list of accomplishments, including three Billboard Music Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. Sam also accomplished the outstanding feat of being one of the ten artists in the Grammy Awards’ illustrious history to receive nominations in all four General Field categories in the same year.

Janet Mock – Author and advocate for trans representation in media. Janet was the first openly transgendered woman of color to write and direct for television. She has appeared on TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list.

📢 Hiring Tip: Boost your inclusion efforts by ensuring your job postings don’t exclude trans and non-binary candidates/ That way, you can attract the best leaders in their specialized fields.

Check out the following Ongig articles to learn more about the breakthroughs from inspirational figures and famous inclusive leaders in the transgender and non-binary community:

Famous Transgender Models

We found quite a few famous transgender models known as “trans celebs”. Many of them have been very successful despite some adversity. Here are all the most famous trans models I found in my research.

Hari Nef

Famous Transgender Models

These famous trans celebrities walk the runway or are top designers:

April Ashley (British model)
Laith Ashley (famous transgender model and actor)
Leyna Bloom (famous transgender model and actress)
Carmen Carrera (famous transgender model)
Caroline Cossey (model and Bond Girl)
Valentijn De Hingh (famous transgender model)
Kenny Ethan Jones (famous transgender model and activist)
Isis King (famous transgender model and fashion designer)
Loiza Lamers (Holland’s top model)
May Simón Lifschitz (famous transgender model and actress)
Chella Man (famous transgender model and YouTube star)
Shay Neary (plus-size model)
Hari Nef (famous transgender model)
Tracey “Africa” Norman (1st prominent African American Trans model)
Andreja Pejic (supermodel)
Teddy Quinlivan (fashion model)
Ines Rau (famous transgender model)
Geena Rocero (famous transgender model)
Valentina Sampaio (Victoria’s Secret model)
Hunter Schafer (famous transgender model and actress)
Lea T (famous transgender model)
MiMi Tao (America’s top model)
Arisce Wanzer (famous transgender model)
Nathan Westling (fashion model)

Famous Transgender Actors (and other TV/Media Personalities)

We also found a long list of famous transgender people who are actors, actresses, or other media personalities. These famous transgender celebrities are listed below.

Lavern Cox

laverne cox transgender — One of the most well known trans actors and Black transgender celebrities Orange is the New Black actress transgender Laverne Cox Is Laverne Cox really transgender Yes the actress and activist best known for her role on Orange Is the New Black is open about being transgender Oprah Magazine reported After she became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting category at the Emmys in 2019 Cox has stayed busy between nabbing her first solo cover of Out Magazine co hosting iHeartRadios Cant Cancel Pride virtual benefit concert and executive producing her new Netflix documentary Disclosure Source Wikipedia Creative Commons

In May 2022, Mattel announced Laverne Cox is getting her own Barbie doll. Here’s what Cox had to say about the new addition:

“I hope that people can look at this Barbie and dream big like I have in my career. The space of dreaming and manifesting is such a powerful source and leads you to achieve more than what you originally thought was possible.”source: Click2Houston

Famous Transgender Actors (& TV, Media Personalities, Influencers)

Here’s the list of transgender celebrities and transgender actors we keep adding to as we find them. These transgender Hollywood stars have been seen on the big screen, in TV, or on YouTube:

Nadia Almada (reality TV star)
Carmen Carerra (reality TV star)
Chris Crocker (media figure and creator of Leave Britney Alone)
Gigi Gorgeous (YouTube personality)
Gia Gunn (reality TV star)
Lauren Harries (media personality)

Here’s a YouTube video of Lauren discussing transgender:

Ian Harvie (comedian and actor)
Evan Ifekoya (performer)
Eddie Izzard (comedian)
Dominique Jackson (Black trans actress)
Sir Lady Java (comedian and singer)
Jazz Jennings (YouTube personality)
Hetty King (actor and male impersonator)
Kellie Maloney (sports promoter and TV personality)
Indya Moore (actor and model)
Fay Presto (magician)
MJ Rodriguez (Black trans actress)
Terri Rogers (magician and ventriloquist)
Jeanette Schmid (professional whistler)
Patrick Staff (performer)
Zoey Tur (famous Trans broadcaster)

Zoey Tur also has some famous children. According to the LA Times:

“Katy (now an MSNBC anchor married to “CBS This Morning” co-host Tony Dokoupil) and Jamie (now a doctor), grew up in front of a video camera.”

And…a Zoey Tur documentary titled Whirlybird tells all, positioning “Zoey Tur as a news pioneer — and toxic male — before her transition” — source, LA Times

Famous Trans Actresses

Jamie Clayton (actress and model)
Ria Cooper (Britain’s youngest transgender star at 15)
Laverne Cox (actress and activist)
Jackie Curtis (actress and Warhol superstar)
Candy Darling (actress and Warhol superstar)
Erika Ervin, “Amazon Eve” (actress and fitness trainer)
Nicole Maines (actress and activist)
Jen Richards (transgender woman actress)
Josie Totah (actress)
Daniela Vega (actress and opera singer)

Famous Transgender Influencers

ALOK @alokvmenon (Trans influencer and performer)
Courtney Act @courtneyact (Trans influencer, drag queen, and TV personality)
AJ Clementine @ajclementine_ (Trans TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Influencer)
Erin Eden @transending7 (Trans Instagram Influencer)
Grace Hyland @grace.hylandd (Trans TikTok Influencer)
Jamie Raines @jammi.dodger (Trans YouTube Influencer)
Shakiro (Trans YouTube Influencer)

After a brutal beating on August 9, 2021 in Cameroon, Shakiro said this:

“I will leave the country this… God is my strength. After the prison, it’s hospital and then it will be the USA…”source: Robert Cook The Voice of North Bucks via Journal Du Cameroun

Pınar Yaku Sinopoulos-Lloyd, @queerquechua (Trans Instagram Influencer)

Is comedian DJ Qualls transgender?

A question I found a lot while creating this list is “Is DJ Qualls transgender?”. He replied to the query on Twitter saying he is gay but not transgender:

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Netflix Transgender Firestorm over Dave Chappelle Comments

People are speaking out about Dave Chappelle’s “offensive anti-trans” comments during his latest show, “The Closer”. Some, like transgender producer Janet Mock and gay Australian comedian Hannah Gasdby, are calling for Netflix to do something about it.

On October 6, 2021, GLAAD responded with their thoughts on Twitter:

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On October 8, 2021, CNN reported that “Jaclyn Moore of ‘Dear White People’ boycotts Netflix over Dave Chappelle’s anti-transgender jokes“

On October 13, 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that:

“A Netflix transgender-employee group is encouraging staff to stage a walkout next Wednesday to protest Co-Chief Executive and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos’s recent defense of Mr. Chappelle’s special.”

Famous Transgender Athletes

Our list of famous transgender athletes includes both famous transgender men and famous transgender women. Many of these famous trans people faced struggles during their athletic careers but still became successful.

Patricio Manuel

famous transgender boxer patricio — Famous transgender Boxer Patricio Manuel was the first transgender boxer in the history of the United States to have a professional fight The Guardian did a feature on Transgender boxer Patricio that mentioned Manuel was assigned female at birth but long struggled with his gender identity rejecting the many ways society and his family forced him to live as a girl His mother thought of him as a tomboy but he knew he was different Because Manuel was different boxing became an outlet Manuel told the Guardian It was structure It was discipline It was control I had spent so much of my puberty years feeling out of control I was feeling intense gender dysphoria feeling like I had no control over my body and what it was doing It was my subconscious being like you need to do something because youre mentally falling apart It was really self preservation Source Wikipedia Creative Commons

Famous Transgender Athletes

These famous trans celebrities competed and excelled in their sport:

Chloe Anderson (volleyball player)
Harrison Browne (hockey player)
Balian Buschbaum (pole vaulter)
Hailey Davidson (1st known transgender woman to win a professional golf match)
Donna de Varona (Olympic swimmer)
Fallon Fox (MMA fighter)
Caitlyn Jenner (Olympic decathlete)
Kyle Allums (basketball player)
Mianne Bagger (professional golfer)
Michelle Dumaresq (mountain biker)
Keelin Godsey (track and field champion)
Joanna Harper (runner)
Laurel Hubbard (weightlifter)
Veronica Ivy (cyclist)
Andreas Krieger (shot putter)
Dr. Bobbi Lancaster (golfer)
Lana Lawless (professional golfer)
Patricio Manuel (professional boxer)
Hannah Mouncey (handball player)
Chris Mosier (triathlete)
Dr. Renée Richards (tennis player)
Nyla Rose (1st transgender wrestler for AEW)
Erik Schinegger (world champion skier)
Jiraiya Saelua (soccer player)
Caster Semenya (runner)
CeCe Tefler (hurdler)
Rebecca Quinn (soccer player)
Anne Veriato (MMA fighter)

Famous Transgender Singers (and other Musicians)

We also found some famous transgender singers and musicians. This list includes famous trans men and famous trans women who have paved the way for future transgender musicians.

Teddy Geiger

Famous Transgender Singers (& Musicians)

This list of trans celebrities includes excellent singers or other types of musicians:

Ah-Mer-Ah-Su (singer)
Cidny Bullins (singer and songwriter)
Ryan Cassata (musician)
Shea Diamond (pop and soul musician)
Teddy Geiger (musician and songwriter)
Laura Jane Grace (rock singer)

According to The Wrap:

“Miley Cyrus teamed up with Jett and transgender Against Me! singer Grace for a cover of the Replacements song “Androgynous” for a video benefiting Cyrus recently launched Happy Hippie Foundation, which seeks to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations.”

Grey Gritt (singer and songwriter)
Skylar Kergil (folk musician and YouTube star)
Lady – Sinae, Sahara, Binu, and Yuna (K-pop Transgender band)
Kylie “Sonique” Love (singer and dancer)
Dee Palmer (composer and keyboardist)
Kim Petras (pop star)
Lucas Silveira (singer)
SOPHIE (mechanical musician)

Famous Transgender Artists

Here is a list of famous transgender artists. This list includes famous transgender people who are painters, photographers, sculptors, and video artists.

Vaginal Davis

Famous Transgender Artists

These famous trans people are well-known for their artistic abilities:

Justin Vivian Bond (painter)
Loren Cameron (photographer)
Micha Cárdenas (digital artist)
Heather Cassils (body sculpture artist)
Vaginal Davis (performance artist)
Zackary Drucker (visual artist)
Rhys Ernst (photographer)
Yishay Garbasz (photographer and installations)
Juliana Huxtable (visual artist)
Jeffrey Catherine Jones (fine artist)
Greer Lankton (doll crafter)
Amos Mac (photographer)
Tuesday Smillie (mixed media artist)
Wu Tsang (video artist and performer)

Famous Transgender Authors (and other Writers)

There are some really creative famous transgender authors who write everything from novels to short stories, to poetry, and personal memoirs. Here is a list of some famous trans people who write.

Chaz Bono

Famous Transgender Authors & Writers

These famous trans women, men, and NB authors have made their mark:

Charlie Jane Anders (novel and short story writer)
Valerie Arkell-Smith (Writer and entertainer)
S. Bear Bergman (poet and playwright)
Imogen Binnie (author and podcast host)
Chaz Bono (writer and actor)
Kate Bornstein (author and gender theorist)
Patrick Califia (gender studies writer)
Jennifer Finney Boylan (memoir author)
Stephanie Burt (poet)
Jay Dodd (poet and essayist)
Eli Erlick (writer)
Juliet Jacques (freelance writer)
Andrea James (blogger)
Christina Kahrl (sportswriter)
Thomas Page McBee (author and journalist)
Janet Mock (memoir author)
Daniel Ortberg (author and editor)
Casey Plett (short story writer)
Jordan Rosenberg (writer and professor)
Julia Serano (non-fiction author)
Vivek Shraya (non-fiction author)
Abby Stein (author and blogger)
Susan Stryker (history writer)

Most Famous Trans Leaders, Politicians, Activists, and Entrepreneurs

This list of famous trans people includes activists, business owners, and politicians. Many of these famous trans men and famous transgender women fight for civil rights for the transgender community.

Elle Hearns

Dr. Rachel Levine

Famous transgender Dr. Levine is the first transgender person to hold office that required a Senate confirmation. She is one of only a few openly transgender government officials in the United States.

Abel Liu

Abel Liu is the 1st openly transgender and 1st Chinese-American student to be elected as Student Council president. Liu Captured 81.2 Percent of Votes in Landslide Student Election Win at the University of Virginia in March 2021. Liu said: “I facilitate change at the university level that centers on empowerment, radical compassion, and the redress of historical injustices. These themes align with our national conversation, so I hope to champion a model of student government that can drive equitable reform across the country. I’m proud to be part of this change, to get things done, and to make a real impact in people’s lives.” Source: press release sent by Donna Michaels, LMGPR

Famous Transgender Leaders, Activists, Politicians, and Entrepreneurs

Here’s the full list of Famous transgender people in politics and business:

Dr. Rebecca Allison (cardiologist and Transgender activist)
Lucy Hicks Anderson (entrepreneur, socialite, and chef)
Nisha Ayub (Transgender activist)
Jenny Bailey (politician)
Thomas Baty (lawyer for the Imperial Japanese government)
Thomas Beatie (public speaker, author, and Transgender activist)
Danielle Bunten Berry (game design entrepreneur)
Lynda Cash (Royal Navy officer)
Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark (creator of AIDS Education and GIS database)
Angela Clayton (Transgender activist)
Joanne Conte (American politician)
Elagabalus (Roman Emporer)
Alexander John Goodrum (African-American Transgender civil rights activist)
Julia Grant (Transgender activist)
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (Transgender activist)
Alan L Hart (Physician and researcher)
Elle Hearns (Transgender activist and Black Lives Matter Co-founder)
Jennel Jaquays (game design entrepreneur)
Victoria Kolakowski (judge)
Rachel Levine (U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health; also former Pennsylvania Health Secretary) (first openly transgender federal official to win Senate confirmation)
Sarah McBride (First openly transgender state senator — Delaware)
Evan Minton (Minton was turned away from a Dignity Healthcare hospital for being transgender. Minton is suing based on sex discrimination in violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act)
Charley Parkhurst (farming entrepreneur)
Jennifer Pritzker (investor and philanthropist)
Stu Rasmussen (politician)
Sylvia Rivera (Latina American Transgender rights activist)
Rev. Megan Rohrer (first openly transgender bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
Angelica Ross (entrepreneur, Transgender activist, and Black trans actress)
Gwendolyn Ann Smith (Transgender Day of Remembrance founder)
Theresa Sparks (politician)
Karen Frances Ulane (pilot and civil rights legislation activist)
Dr. Penny Whetton (Climatology expert)
Sophie Wilson (IT entrepreneur)
Sgt. Major Joanne Wingate (British Army)
Kate Craig Wood (IT entrepreneur)

80+ Non Binary Celebrities

Now, onto my list of celebs who are non binary. They include models, TikTok’ers, actors, athletes, activists, musicians & more.

Methodology & Disclaimer: I focused on listing people who have publicly come out as an NB, genderqueer, or genderfluid person in the LGBTQIA+ community. I list the sources at the bottom of this article… I’m not an expert on famous enby folx. The list is dynamic — I welcome feedback, additions, and edits!

Famous Non Binary Models

ruby rose non binary model — Ruby Rose non binary model and actress in 2019 being interviewed by Adweek image source Adweek Wikimedia Commons

Here’s a list of successful non binary models:

Violet Chachki — genderfluid non binary model and entertainer best known for winning season 7 of RuPal’s Drag Race
Kat Cunning — non binary model, Cirque Du Soleil perfomer, and actor
Cara Delevingne — non binary model, singer, and actress playing the role of Enchantress in Suicide Squad in 2016
Sushant Divgikar — drag queen, and non binary model crowned Mr Gay India in 2014
Rain Dove Dubilewski — best known as gender-noncoforming model who poses as male and female for photoshoots and runway shows
Miss Fame — model, makeup artist, and drag queen who identifies as genderfluid
Ari Fitz — non binary model and vlogger best known for his YouTube channel Tomboyish
Ericka Hart — model and sex educator who went viral for attending Afropunk topless, showing their double mastectomy scars (after being diagnosed with breast cancer)
Hanne Gaby Odiele — non binary model from Belgium who was born intersex
Ruby Rose — non binary model and Batwoman star
Bobbi Salvör Menuez — non binary model, actor, and founder of Luck You artist collective in NYC

Famous Non Binary TikTok’ers [+ other Influencers]

alok v menon non binary instagram — Alok V Menon non binary Instagram influencer author and performance artist during a private photo shoot image source Abhinav Anguria Wikimedia Commons

These non binary TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube influencers are in the spotlight for NB fashion and more:

Kaitlyn Alexandar — one of the most famous non binary YouTubers and actors from Canada
Bob the Drag Queen — non binary Instagram influencer and famous drag queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race
Shea Couleé — non binary Instagram influencer, podcaster, singer, dancer, drag queen
Vick Franco — non binary TikTok’er and makeup influencer
Umber Ghauri — non binary Instagram influencer, model, speaker, and makeup artist, also known as “Kweer”
Chella Man — non binary YouTuber, actor, model, artist & LGBTQ activist
Alok V Menon — non binary Instagram fashion influencer, author, and performance artist who identifies as a transfeminine and gender non-conforming
Trisha Paytas — famous TikTok non binary person and YouTube influencer
Kate Sabatine — non binary TikTok fashion influencer
Kyron Rizzo — non binary TikTok’er who highlights #nonbinaryfashion
Maxwell Vice — TikTok non binary influencer
Xiran Jay Zhao — famous non binary Youtuber and author

Famous Non Binary Musicians

Is Sam Smith non binary? Smith came out as NB in September 2019 with this social media post:

“Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM. After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out. I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f*** it! I understand there will be many mistakes and misgendering but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”source: Independent UK

The tweet also included an image of Sam’s preferred pronouns:

sam smith non binary twitter — image source samsmith

miley cyrus non binary — Miley Cyrus genderfluid singer songwriter at a concert in Primavera Sound 2019 image source Raph PH Wikimedia Commons

Miley Cyrus is another one of the most well-known non-binary people. In a 2015 interview, she said she “doesn’t care for the labels’ boy or girl and identifies as gender-fluid, even though that’s not perfect either:

“I’m just equal, I’m just even. It has nothing to do with any parts of me or how I dress or how I look. It’s literally just how I feel.”source: Billboard

Onto my growing list of non binary musicians:

Arca — Venezuelan record producer and singer who identifies as non binary
Adore Delano — singer actor, and drag queen who appeared on American Idol and RuPaul’s Drag Race
Du Blonde — non binary musician, composer, artist, animator, and video director
G Flip — non binary singer, drummer, ad record producer
Flora Ginest — singer who came out as non binary in 2020, changing their name from Silver Catalano to FLORRA
Grey Gritt — non binary musician from Canada
Angel Haze — non binary rapper who doesn’t consider themself any sex
Demi Lovato — one of the most famous non binary singers who uses “they/them” pronouns
Janelle Monáe — nonbinary musician and actress came out as non-binary on Twitter
Sam Smith — one of the most famous non-binary musicians who said “I’m not male or female. I think I float somewhere in between”
Tash Sultana — Australian indigenous non binary singer-songwriter
Hikaru Utada — one of Japan’s most famous non binary singers who came out via livestream in 2021

Famous Non Binary Writers

Here is a list of gender non binary celebrities who are authors and writers:

Travis Albanza — English writer and performance artist who uses they/them pronouns
Thomas Baty — non binary writer and editor of the feminist gender studies journal Urania
Jay Bernard — writer, artist, and film programmer from London
Mal Blum — non binary writer, musician, and performer from New York
Justin Vivian Bond — writer and musician who uses Mx. (in place of Ms./Mr.) and pronoun v (with vself instead of her/himself), a reference to their middle name
Richard O’Brien — writer, actor, and TV persenter who self-describes as “third sex”
Rivers Solomon — non binary author of speculative and literary fiction
Rebecca Ray Sugar — writer and creator of the Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe, and the first non-binary person to independently create a series for the network
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore — author and activist who identifies as genderqueer
Hida Viloria — a Latine American writer who is intersex, non-binary, and gender nonconforming
Neon Yang — non binary writer of speculative fiction
Nevo Zisin — non binary writer and transgender rights activist

Famous Non Binary Athletes

layshia clarendon wnba non binary — Layshia Clarendon WNBAs first openly trans and nonbinary player shoots a foul shot in a game against the Minnesota Lynx image source Lorie Shaull Wikimedia Commons

This list includes famous non binary athletes from various sports:

Leo Baker — famous non binary pro skateboarder
Layshia Clarendon — one of the WNBA’s most famous non binary athletes
Nikki Hiltz — middle-distance running champion who came out an non binary and trans in 2021
Janae Kroc — professional powerlifter and bodybuilder (formerly Matthew Kroczaleski) came out as genderfluid in 2015
Robyn Lambird — first out non-binary wheelchair racer and Paralympian to win a medal
Jim Sterling — non binary professional wrestler, video game critic, and livestreamer

Famous Non Binary Actors and Actresses [+ TV Personalities]

amandla stenberg non binary — Amandla Stenberg non binary celebrity at the 2019 Oscars image source Cal Laird Wikimedia Commons

jaden smith non binary — Jaden Smith non binary actor and co founder of 501CTHREEorg JUST water during the opening night of Web Summit 2019 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon Portugal image source Stephen McCarthyWeb Summit via Sportsfile Wikimedia Commons

Here are some successful non binary actors and actresses, plus TV personalities:

Ser Anzoategui — famous non-binary Latinx/Chicanx actor, palywright and activist
RB Butcher — comedia, actor, writer, and producer who was the voice of Asher, a fictional nonbinary character in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Emma Corrin — actor most known for playing Princess Diana in The Crown is still not sure about their gender
Asia Kate Dillon — famous non binary actor who most recently starred in John Wick: Chapter 3 as a non-binary person
Tommy Dorfman — famous non binary actor and model who wrote an essay for Teen Vogue it being complex to wear gendered clothing as a non-binary person
Tylan Grant — non binary actor who stars in British soap opera Hollyoaks
Liv Hewson — gender non binary actress who “would love to play a gender non binary person”
Bex Taylor-Klaus — famous non binary actor known for roles in Dumplin, The Killing, and Arrow
Indya Moore — non binary actor and model who was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019 by Time magazine
Elliot Page — non binary actor and producer from Canada
Brigette Lundy-Paine — star from Netflix’s Atypical posted about their gender on Instagram, “I’m non-binary, always felt a lil bit boy, lil bit girl, lil bit neither. using they/them as of late n it feels right”
Tom Phelan — star of The Fosters who confirmed they are non binary on Twitter
Hugh Sheridan — famous non binary actor from Australia
Jaden Smith — non binary, genderfluid actor, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith
Amandla Stenberg — non-binary actor from The Hunger Games and The Hate U Give who first came out as NB on Tumblr in 2016
Courtney Stodden — reality TV personality, model, singer-songwriter who came out as non-binary in April 2021
Lio Tipton — famous non binary actor and fashion model most known for placing 3rd in America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11
Jacob Tobia — actor who identifies as genderqueer and uses singular they pronouns
Nico Tortorella — non binary actor and model, well-known for their role in Scream 4, The Following, and Younger
Jonathan Van Ness — Queer Eye star who identifies as non-binary
Lachlan Watson — non-binary actor best known for playing Theo in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Famous Non Binary Activists [+ Politicians & other Leaders]

mauree turner non binary — Mauree Turner the first non binary state legislator in America image source Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau Wikimedia Commons

Here’s a list of non binary activists, politicians, and other leaders in their communities:

Taylor Alxndr — non binary activist, musician, and drag queen
Tony Briffa — politican and intersex activist who also is non binary
Lydia Brown — non binary activist for autistic disabiity rights
Ellie Desautels — non binary activist (for queer and mential health representation in the media) and actor in Rise
Dominick Evans — non binary activist and filmmaker
River Gallo — non binary intersex rights activist who wrote, directed, and acted in Ponyboi, the 1st film featuring an intersex actor playing an intersex person
Nats Getty — non binary LGBTQ rights activist who works closely with GLAAD, model, designer, and artist
Paperboy Prince — community activist, politician, and one of the most famous non binary artists residing in Brooklyn, NY
Katherine Magdalene Rose — non binary social activist and transgender author
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit — Thailand’s frist trangender MP who also identifies as non-binary
Mauree Turner — America’s first non binary state legislator
Estefania Cortes-Vargas — first openly gender non conforming and non binary elected official in Alberta Legislature history
Dana Zzyym — the first non binary person to receive a gender marker of “X” on a U.S. passport after a 6 year battle with the State Department.

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Asian American & Native American Leaders

The Asian American and Pacific Islander communities constantly face a series of societal challenges that affect their professional and personal lives. These include the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which threatens individuals with fears of segregation and the risk of deportation. Organizations, hiring teams, and senior leaders can offer much-needed talent support to Asian American and Native-American team members through inclusive behaviors that eliminate biases.

The following individuals are famous inclusive leaders who have showcased outstanding performances in their respective fields. Thus, representing the large-scale benefits of a more accepting culture, workforce, and society:

Sundar Pichai (Google CEO) – Sundar started his career as a humble product manager and diligently worked toward becoming one of Google’s top decision-makers. Some of Sundar’s top accomplishments include founding the Chrome OS and developing Google Drive, a leading cloud storage system with over two billion active users worldwide.

Deb Haaland – First Native American U.S. Cabinet Secretary. Haaland’s crowning achievements include reconstituting the White House Tribal Nations Summit. The initiative involves Tribal leaders and White House representatives in impactful discussions aimed at raising funds and career opportunities that benefit Native American communities nationwide.

Chloe Zhao – First Asian Woman to win an Oscar for Best Director at the Golden Globe Awards. Chloe also broke the mold with the first female-directed film to have won in the best film-drama category at the Golden Globes.

📢 Hiring Tip: Diversity in leadership starts with inclusive practices that encourage fair hiring opportunities for people of color.

American Indian Actors & Actresses

There are lots of famous Native Americans today. In this section, I list Native American actors and actresses, plus the name of their tribes.

Native American Actors

Below is a list of Native American actors. It includes famous Cherokee actors, Apache actors, actors with Native American heritage, and famous indigenous actors.

native american actor zhan mcclaron — Native American Actor Zhan Mcclaron famous for his performance as Police Chief Mathias in *Longmire* image source Wikimedia Commons thepaparazzigamer

Here’s a list of the most famous Native American actors:

Victor Aaron – Yaqui
Chief John Big Tree – Seneca
Benjamin Bratt – Peruvian Quechua Indian
Adam Beach – Anishinaabe
Gil Birmingham – Comanche
Toklas Black Elk – Oglala, Lakota Sioux
Moses Brings Plenty – Oglala Lakota
Tonantzin Carmelo – Tongva
Cody Deal – Osage Nation
Chris Eyre – Cheyenne and Arapaho
Abel Fernandez – Yaqui
Wesley French – Chippewas
Forrest Goodluck – Diné, Mandan, Hidatsa, Tsimshian
Kiowa Gordon – Hualapai Tribe
Rodney A. Grant – Omaha
Saginaw Grant – member of Sac and Fox Nation
Graham Greene – nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Dances with Wolves
Michael Greyeyes – Plains Cree
Charlie Hill – Oneida, Mohawk, Cree
Michael Horse – Yaqui, Mescalero Apache and Zuni
Taylor Lautner – Odawa and Potawatomi
Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse – Lakota
Jack Hoxie – Nez Perce
Miko Hughes – Chickasaw
Ben Johnson – Cherokee, grew up on an Osage reservation
Oscar Kawagley – Yup’ik
Eddie Little Sky – Oglala Lakota
Phil Lucas – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Jason Momoa – Pawnee, Native Hawaiian
Randolph Mantooth – Seminole
Zahn McClarnon – Hunkpapa Lakota
Russell Means – Oglala Lakota
Tatanka Means – Navajo, Lakota
Alex Meraz – P’urhepecha
David Midthunder – Fort Peck Sioux and Assiniboin
Rick Mora – self-identified Apache/Yaqui descent
Bronson Pelletier – Plains Cree
Tag oh Penikett – Upper Tanana tribe
Justin Rain – Plains Cree
Arthur Redcloud – Navajo
Lois Red Elk – Lakota/Dakota
Red Wing, (Lillian St. Cyr) – Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Steve Reevis – Blackfeet
Branscombe Richmond – Aleut
Will Rogers – Cherokee
Joanelle Romero – Apache/Cheyenne
Ned Romero- Chitimacha
Frank Salsedo – Wappo
Will Sampson – Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Eric Scheig – Inuvialuk – Chippewa-Dene
Larry Sellers – Osage, Cherokee, Lakota
Martin Sensmeier – Tlingit, Koyukon Athabascan
Eddie Spears – Brulé
Michael Spears – Brulé
Chaske Spencer – Sioux-Nez Perce-Cherokee-Muscogee Creek-French-Dutch
Luther Standing Bear – Oglala Lakota
Wes Studi – Cherokee Nation
Chief Tahachee – self-identified Cherokee descent
Jim Thorpe – Sac and Fox
Chief Thunderbird – Cheyenne
Gordon Tootoosis – Aboriginal Canadian actor of Cree and Stoney descent
John Trudell – Dakota people
Noah Watts – Crow/Blackfeet
Floyd Red Crow Westerman – Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
James Young Deer – Nanticoke
Rudy Youngblood – self-identified Comanche, Cree, and Yaqui descent
Chief Yowlachie – Yakima

Famous Native American Actresses

seinfeld native american actress Kimberly Guerrero — Famous Native American Actress Kimberly Norris Guerrero known for playing roles of Indigenous women in her 12+ on screen appearances image source Facebook

Here’s a list of indigenous actresses and female famous Native American people from the silver screen:

Irena Bedard – Cree, Iñupiaq
Sacheen Littlefeather – Apache, Yaqui
Alyssa Wapanatâhk – Cree (Nêhiyaw)
Tattoo Cardinal – Cree, Metis, and Nakota
Irene Bedard – Inupiat and French Canadian/Cree (Metis)
Julia Jones – Chickasaw
Kimberly Guerrero – Colville, Salish-Kootenai
Alex Rice – Mohawk
Megan Fox – Powhatan
Rosario Dawson
Andrea Navedo
Ashley Callingbull – Cree
Princess Nokia
Cree Summer – Cree
Lila Downs – Mixtec
Shauna Baker
Salli Richardson-Whitfield – Cherokee
Heather Locklear – Lumbee
Roseanne Supernault
Kawennahere Devery Jacobs – Mohawk
Patricia Velasquez – Mestizo and Wayuu
Maya Zapata
Blu Hunt – Lakota
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Mi’kmaq
Kaniehtiio Horn – Mohawk
Amber Midthunder – Sioux
Carmen Moore – Wet’suwet’en
Sharice Davids – Ho-Chunk
Nyla Rose – Oneida
Q’orianka Kilcher – Quechua-Huachipaeri
Jessica Matten – Metis and Saulteaux-Cree
Tanaya Beatty – Awaetlatla
Alyssa Wapanatahk – Cree
Grace Dove
Traci Bingham
Karina Lombard – Lakota Sioux
Jana Schmieding – Lakota Sioux
Alaqua Cox
Irene Bedard – Inupiat and Metis
Jennifer Podemski – Saulteaux
Lily Gladstone – Blackfeet and Nimii’puu Nez Perce
Lisa Charleyboy – Tsilhqot’in
Elle-Maija Tailfeathers – Blackfoot and Sami
Elipidia Carrillo
Jashaun St. John
Phoebe Legere – Acadian and Abenaki

Now, let’s move to another collection of notable Native Americans.

More Famous Native American Celebrities

Famous Native American artists, musicians, and Native American stars have found their way to success. Let’s celebrate these celebrities with Native American heritage, starting with some famous women Native Americans.

Famous Female Native Americans

Winona LaDuke famous native american woman — Winona LaDuke is a famous Native American Woman known for her work on tribal land claims preservation and sustainable development image source Wikimedia Commons Frypie

Ashley Callingbull-Burnham – Mrs. Universe 2015
Elouise Cobell – Blackfoot Nation activist and entrepreneur
Lyda Conley – Native American attorney
Buffalo Calf Road Woman – Northern Cheyenne warrior
Annie Dodge Wauneka – Navajo awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Michaela Goade – Tlingit and Haida illustrator
Deb Harland – Pueblo of Laguna politician
Suzan Shown Harjo – activist – Cheyenne and Muscogee
Winona LaDuke – Ojibwe White Earth environmentalist, writer, and economist
Susan La Flesche Picotte – Omaha doctor
Lozen – Chihenne Chiricahua Apache warrior and prophet
Wilma Mankiller – Cherokee Nation activist
Pine Leaf – Crow warrior
Pocahontas – Native American Disney character
Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich – Tlingit Native Alaskan activist
Mary Golda Ross – Cherokee engineer
Zitkala-Sa – Yankton Sioux author
Sacagawea – Lemhi Shoshone explorer
Maria Tallchief – principal dancer of the NYC Ballet
Nancy Ward – Cherokee political leader
Sarah Winnemucca – Numa activist

Famous Native American Models

quannah chasinghorse native american female model — Quannah Chasinghorse is a Native American female model and activist from Alaska who promotes Indigenous fashion image source Instagram

Below is a list of famous Native American male models and female Indigenous models:

Quannah Chasinghorse – Han Gwich’in and Sihanouk-Oglala Lakota
Radmilla Cody – Navajo
Talaysay C. – Shishalh Nation
Nick D. – Nisga’a, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Haida, Gitxsan, Tsetsaut and Colville
Mekayla Diehl Eppers – Ojibwe
Alicia H. – Cree
Haatepah – Chichimeca
Caelynn Miller-Keyes – Odawa
Randy’L He-dow Teton – Shoshone-Bannock Cree
Jaymyn L. – Skwxwu7mesh and Kwakwaka’wakw
Sherise S. – Cree-Metis
Naiomi Glasses – Navajo
Joleen Mitton – Cree
Rick Mora – Apache and Yaqui
Chelsey Goseyun Wilson – Apache

Native American Entertainers [including Musicians]

jimi hendrix native american — Jimi Hendrix Cherokee Mist singer and one of the greatest guitarists of all time His grandmother was of Cherokee heritage so some of his music was inspired by his Cherokee roots image source Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

Some successful Native Americans from the entertainment industry are listed here:

Steven Alvarez – Yaqui/Mescalero Apache/Upper Tanana Athabascan
Susan Aglukark – Inuk
Mildred Bailey – Coeur d’Alene
Black Lodge Singers – Piegan Blackfeet
JB the First Lady – Nuxalk and Onondaga Nations
Timothy Archambault – Kichesipirini
Brulé – Sioux
Cozad Singers – Kiowa
Willy DeVille – Pequot
Willie Dunn – Mi’kmaq
Pura Fé – Tuscarora
Carl T. Fischer – Cherokee
Leela Gilday – Dene
The Halluci Nation – formerly known as A Tribe Called Red:

“a Canadian electronic music group who blend instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton and dubstep-influenced dance music with elements of First Nations music, particularly vocal chanting and drumming.”(source: Wikipedia)

Angel Haze – Cherokee
Jimi Hendrix – Cherokee
Tom Jackson – Métis
Loretta Lynn – Cherokee
Peter La Farge — Hopi

This song, Ira Hayes, was written by famous Native American musician/songwriter, Peter LaFarge for Johnny Cash

Pamyua – Inuit
Charley Patton – Cherokee
Prolific the Rapper – Lakota
Robbie Robertson – Mohawk
Marvin Rainwater – Cherokee
Sihasin – Navajo
Taboo – Shoshone
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Cree
Tanya Tagaq – Inuk
Hank Williams – Muskogee Creek and Tsalagi

Other Famous Native Americans in History

In the next section, I list Native American leaders in history. This list includes great American Indian Chiefs and Native American warriors. The history of Indian warrior names is interesting!

Famous Indian Chiefs & Native American Warriors

chief joseph native american role models — image source Wikimedia Commons public domain

Here is a list of Native American Chiefs and Famous Native American warriors through history. It includes the most famous Native American chief and Native American leaders:

Sitting Bull – Lakota
Crazy Horse – Oglala
Red Cloud – Lakota
Geronimo – Chiricahua
Cochise – Chiricahua
Chief Joseph – Nez Perce
Benito Juarez – Zapoteca
Canon Mataweer – Kumeyaay
Tecumseh – Shawnee
Adam Castillo – Cahuilla
Chief Hatam – Kumeyaay
Charles Curtis – Kaw
Captain Jack – Modoc
Russell Means – Oglala Lakota
American Horse – Sioux
Anna Prieto-Sandoval – Kumeyaay
Chief Dan George – Tsleil-Waututh
Richard Milanovich – Cahuilla
Mangas Coloradas – Apache
Black Hoof – Shawnee
Red Jacket – Seneca
Chief Seattle – Duwamish
Shacknasty Jim – Modoc
Standing Bear – Ponca
Chief Pontiac – Ottawa
Osceola – Seminole
Wilma Mankiller – Cherokee
Chief Manuelito – Navajo

Famous Native American Politicians & Current Native American Leaders:

Here’s a list of some famous Native American politicians:

Sharice Davids – Ho-Chunk
Deb Haaland – Laguna Pueblo
Hiram Revels – Lumbee
Charles Curtis – Kaw, Osage
Robert Owen – Cherokee
Ben Nighthorse Campbell – Northern Cheyenne
Richard H. Cain – Cherokee
John Mercer Langston – Pamunkey
Charles D. Carter – Chickasaw
William Hastings – Cherokee
Will Rogers Jr. – Cherokee
William Stigler – Choctaw
Ben Reifel – Lakota Sioux
Clem McSpadden – Cherokee
Ben Nighthorse Campbell – Northern Cheyenne
Brad Carson – Cherokee
Tom Cole – Chickasaw
Markwayne Mullin – Cherokee
Yvette Herrell – Cherokee

Most Famous Native American Tribes

Now, let’s take a look at some famous Native American tribes:

Lumbee
Iroquois
Creek (Muscogee)
Blackfeet
Apache
Sioux
Chippewa
Choctaw
Navajo
Cherokee
Paiute
Pawnee People
Sauk People
Modoc People
Sac and Fox Nation
Cheyenne
Osage Nation
Ponca
Odawa
Iroquois
Nez Perce
Shoshone

Famous Native Americans’ Quotes

A Native American Indian chief may have some of the best wisdom to share. And, the internet is full of famous quotes about Native Americans and quotes credited to a famous Native American person.

Here’s a list of just a few favorite quotes from some successful Native American leaders:

“When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists — as it surely will. Then act with courage.” – Chief White Eagle, Ponca

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” – Chief Seattle, Duwamish

“I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man.” – Sun Bear, Chippewa

“If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.” – Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation

“If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove.” – Cheyenne

“You already possess everything necessary to become great.” – Crow

“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.” – Tribe Unknown

“Everyone who is successful must have dreamed of something.” – Maricopa

Famous Native American Movies

To finish, let’s have a quick look at the 5 most famous Native American movies in history:

Dances with Wolves (1990)
Indian Horse (2017)
Wind River (2017)
Songs my Brothers Taught Me (2015)
Smoke Signals (1998)

What Makes an Inclusive Leader?

Today’s world is more connected than ever, and companies are realizing the benefits of diversity in the workplace. But what separates a good leader from an inclusive leader? It all comes down to key traits that help create an equitable work environment where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

Empathy: Seeing Through Others’ Eyes

Great leaders don’t just hear—they listen. Empathy allows leaders to understand others’ experiences. And that’s whether it’s a senior manager in a tech company or an entry-level employee in the supply chain. So, famous inclusive leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who championed the civil rights movement, knew that real change starts with acknowledging the challenges faced by marginalized populations.

Active Listening: Making Every Voice Matter

An inclusive work environment thrives when leaders make space for all voices. Active listening helps a board member, chief executive officer, or vice president truly understand the contributions of all team members. Influential women like Debra Ruh and Lenora Billings-Harris emphasize the power of listening in their work as top inclusive leadership speakers.

Cultural Intelligence: Leading Diverse Teams

Cultural intelligence is key in large organizations with global operations. Inclusion strategists like Mary-Frances Winters teach that embracing ethnic diversity isn’t just a moral imperative—it also brings in the best talent. So, famous inclusive leaders and executives with extensive experience understand that different views drive innovation and social change.

Challenging the Status Quo

True inclusive leaders don’t just accept things as they are. They push for a more equitable future by advocating for inclusion systems, equal pay, and gender balance. Famous inclusive leaders like Lily Zheng, a well-known diversity leader, use their platform to call out gender discrimination. They also create space for underrepresented voices in the corporate world.

Why Inclusive Teams Matter

Fostering an inclusive workforce goes beyond creating a friendly and engaging atmosphere where team members feel happier and avoid the overburden of stress and burnout. An individual’s success should extend beyond “background details.” This includes race, gender, and parentage. Here are 70+ highly successful adopted individuals just to prove that point! Leadership styles vary (management experts identify at least five!). However, every approach should maximize talent engagement, honing the best of their abilities.

Studies show that workplace inclusivity also reduces absenteeism, improves satisfaction, and mitigates high turnover rates. And this remains a talent issue for hard-to-fill roles in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The Harvard Business Review identifies ten advantages associated with inclusive hiring, which include:

Improved organizational resilience as the workforce is more adaptable to change with a combination of strengths and interdependence.

Increasing the chances of recruiting “good people” with positive work ethics, since your recruitment practices would gradually attract like-minded individuals who understand and appreciate differences and acceptance among team members.

Boosting decision-making skills at work, including among senior managers. A study proved this by showing that teams with more diverse individuals had an 87% chance of outperforming lone individuals in the quality of their decisions.

Talent initiatives like employee resource groups (ERGs) provide team members from underrepresented groups with the resources and support needed to excel in their roles. However, to truly engage an inclusive team, it all begins with objectively recognizing the unique skills in others and setting up a DEI infrastructure that enhances skills-based hiring. That process is achievable through the power of data with AI.

Furthering Inclusive Hiring Practices with AI

As the lists above have shown, dynamic individuals have the power to bring significantly positive change to their work environments regardless of their personal background. An inclusive organization embraces this fact by acknowledging that fairness and equality in talent management pay off in the long term.

Yet, it gets tricky when teams roll out diversity practices in talent acquisition at an enterprise level. Managing thousands of open roles and applicants in a time-sensitive bid to hire would frazzle the nerves of the most astute recruiters. The most rigorously conducted candidate interviews could still result in one’s own biases passing undetected – until it is too late.

AI’s systematic data-based functions prevent these common human-made errors. There are also ongoing international efforts to keep these systems highly inclusive and bias-free from their foundations. For instance, the FEM.AI summit involved decision-makers and tech companies in addressing the challenges of sustaining AI innovations built upon global diversity.

The work continues as tech experts continue to fine-tune the training data that eliminates biases while automating the most grueling aspects of talent acquisition and engagement.

Ongig’s Text Analyzer

The trusted algorithms of the Ongig platform ensure that your JDs stay compliant with the latest DEIB standards. By doing so, you can essentially call out the most talented candidates for a role without subconsciously turning them away with biased and offensive statements.

The Ongig Text Analyzer also offers smart templates, which enable you to save optimized JDs that you can modify and scale according to your ever-shifting hiring campaign needs.

Essentially, with Ongig Text Analyzer in your corner, you can foster diversity and inclusion in talent acquisition by:

Including critical JD sections and terms that attract applicants based on the latest job seeker trends. JD-enhancing steps with Ongig include mentioning phrases like “inclusive culture” in the About Us section or adding diversity statements that appeal to specific community goals. Text Analyzer prevents your team from omitting key JD pieces and missing hiring opportunities.

Aligning your JDs with the latest DEIB compliances/standards to keep your hiring procedures inclusive and safeguarded from legal HR complications. Doing so enables you to maintain your organization’s corporate responsibility while improving application rates and hiring quality.

Tidying overall JD readability so that your JDs keep candidates interested in a job posting from start to finish, improving the chances of completing an application. Text Analyzer can automate the use of impactful word alternatives and resolve technical issues (i.e., having way too many bullets in the roles and responsibilities section) so you can consistently launch effective hiring campaigns for the most urgent vacancies.

Maintaining a standardized and optimized JD library that efficiently elevates the hiring process. Text Analyzer’s highly integrated functions enable you to upload quality JDs onto your HRIS and ATS platforms with ease, boosting career page performance.

Why I Wrote This?

At Ongig, we firmly believe that the limitless potential of AI can help hiring teams boost their talent acquisition efforts in attracting diverse employees. Through the reliability of AI algorithms, teams can consistently reach out to the most qualified people of all backgrounds with skills-based hiring without exception. Want to ensure your job descriptions are inclusive? Try Ongig’s Text Analyzer.

Shout-Outs:

By Lucy Buchholz, Unleash – ‘DEI in 2025 cannot be about playing it safe’: 5 HR leaders share why DEI is here to stay
Mercer – How much turnover is too much?
By Caroline Casey, Forbes – Building Truly Accessible Workplaces
Deloitte – Deloitte’s first Disability Inclusion @ Work 2024 survey reveals that workplace accessibility is a significant challenge for many
By Rae Barton, Mental Health America – The challenges of being LGBTQ in the workplace
NeuroLeadership – Types of Leadership Styles
FPWA – New 2024 Data Highlights Ongoing Economic Disparities Faced By Black People Due to Systemic Discrimination
UCLA School of Law Williams Institute – Nearly 60% of nonbinary employees in the US have experienced discrimination or harassment at work
By Jo Yurcaba, NBC News – Over 80% of trans workers have experienced discrimination or harassment, report finds
Why Diversity in AI Makes Better AI for All: The Case for Inclusivity and Innovation – By Nichol Bradford, SHRM
By Frances X.Frei and Anne Morriss, Harvard Business Review – 10 Reasons Why Inclusion Is a Competitive Advantage
UCLA, School of Law Williams Institute – How Many Adults and Youth Identify as Transgender in the United States?

March 28, 2025 by Shanece Grant in Diversity and Inclusion

Famous Inclusive Leaders with Disabilities in the Workplace

The following famous inclusive leaders are trailblazers who have courageously proven that disabilities do not define a person’s success:

Celebrities with Disabilities

Actors with Disabilities [& other Entertainment Professionals]

What type of dwarfism does Peter Dinklage have? He was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. (image source: Gage Skidmore)

If you have ever watched the television series Breaking Bad, you may have asked, Is Walter Junior disabled in real life? The answer is yes, RJ Mitte has Cerebral Palsy just like the character he plays on the show.

Artists with Disabilities

Famous Athletes with Disabilities

Famous Paralympians

Famous Paralympians at the Tokyo Olympics

Famous Scientists with Disabilities [and Inventors]

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Entrepreneurs with Disabilities [& Leaders with Disabilities]

Are there famous disabled people of color?

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Authors with Disabilities [and Poets]

Musicians with Disabilities

Comedians with Disabilities

What disability does the kid from Stranger Things have?

Famous Blind Singers, Musicians & Composers

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Leaders, Entrepreneurs, & Politicians

Famous Blind Painters, Artists, & Photographers

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Writers & Poets

Famous Blind Athletes

Famous Inclusive Leaders: Blind Scientists, Doctors, & Mathematicians

Famous Blind Actors & Entertainment Personalities

Famous Blind Characters from TV, Movies & Books

Celebrities with ADHD

Actors with ADHD

Comedians with ADHD (and TV/Media Personalities)

Famous Athletes with ADHD

Famous Musicians with ADHD

Famous Writers with ADHD

Entrepreneurs with ADHD (and other successful famous inclusive leaders)

Famous Scientists with ADHD (and Inventors)

Famous Artists with ADHD

Famous Doctors with ADHD

Celebrities with Asperger’s

Actors with Asperger’s

Comedians with Aspergers

Chris Rock — Asperger’s Comedian?

Other TV/Media Personalities with Asperger’s

Famous Athletes with Asperger’s

Famous Musicians with Asperger’s

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders with Asperger’s (Famous Inclusive Leaders)

Political Leaders with Asperger’s

Famous Aspergers Artists

Famous Scientists with Asperger’s Syndrome (and Inventors)

Famous Writers with Asperger’s

Other Famous Inclusive Leaders Who Are Aspies

Movies About Autism or Asperger’s

Celebs Who Have Kids with Asperger’s

People Yearn to Know if Someone Famous is Autistic or has Asperger’s

Questions about Mark Zuckerberg (Austistic or Asperger’s)

More questions people ask about successful people with Asperger’s (diagnosed or not)

Famous People with Dyslexia

Tom Holland is Dyslexic

Famous Celebrities with Dyslexia

Athletes with Dyslexia

Famous Dyslexic Musicians

Famous Dyslexic Writers

Famous Dyslexic Scientists & Inventors

Entrepreneurs with Dyslexia (and other Famous Inclusive Leaders)

Famous Dyslexic Artists

Celebrities with Autism

Famous People with Autism (Actors and Other Entertainment Pros Too)

Anthony Hopkins Autism Facts

Autism Talk on TikTok: Paige Layle

The Prison Break star told CBSNew York:

Is Keir Gilchrist Autistic?

Famous People with Autism: Athletes

Messi Autism – Rumors or Diagnosed?

Famous People with Autism: Musicians

Famous People with Autism: Comedians

Jerry Seinfeld’s Autism Controversy

Seinfeld:

Brian Williams:

Seinfeld:

Comments on the Youtube video included a mix of reactions:

Seinfeld later walked back his comments on having Autism:

Famous People with Autism: Scientists, Inventors & Mathematicians

Famous People with Autism: Writers