What Famous People Have Diabetes?

Famous People With Diabetes

Having diabetes often necessitates making long-term lifestyle changes but it does not mean life has to be curtailed. Numerous well-known people lead interesting and successful lives with diabetes. Athletes with diabetes can achieve at the highest level although careful control over the disease is required. Few ambitious goals are stopped by diabetes but there are limits. Putting on weight to fulfill an acting job, for example, is not an option. And being famous does not prevent the dramatic way in which, for example, type 1 diabetes can first appear, as actress Halle Berry knows only too well. Five-time Olympic gold champion lives with diabetes An athlete with a collection of Olympic medals in rowing was diagnosed with diabetes between winning his fourth and fifth golds. The British athlete Sir Steve Redgrave was diagnosed at the age of 35 and needed to make big changes to his lifestyle, at first trying a different diet but finding he still needed the high energy intake of his previous diet for his sport. He has to take numerous daily insulin injections and carries emergency sugar with him when he is out on the water. If that is not inspiring enough, Sir Steve Redgrave also manages another chronic condition, the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis. In fact, it was treatment for this disease that led to his form of insulin-dependent diabetes. Tom Hanks has made changes for diabetes The world-famous actor Tom Hanks has found the need to adjust to life with diabetes and, as a result, certain things are now out of bounds to him. Hanks has taken on acting roles in the past that required him to gain a lot of weight, something his type 2 diabetes - which may have been caused by these weight gains - no longer allows him to do. Also out of reach for the actor are the p Continue reading >>

15 Celebrities Who Have Spoken Up About Their Diabetes

1. Singer Nick Jonas spoke to Diabetes Forecast magazine about being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just 13 years old: "As I've grown into a young man and my body has changed, I'm definitely noticing changes in my diabetes. It's continually changing — it's not like I get in a good place and it stays there. Every day I have to watch, to look at it, to make sure that everything is cool and still intact, to make sure I'm doing the best I can to manage it. There are definitely times, though, that I feel like saying, 'I don't want to deal with this; I just want to have this Gatorade or slice of pizza and not have to deal,' but I have to take it one step at a time, and I do." 2. When Sonia Sotomayor was in the nomination process for the Supreme Court, some headlines suggested her Type 1 diabetes would be a handicap. She revealed how it felt to receive that diagnosis as a 7-year-old: "There is a huge amount of fear when you're first diagnosed with a disease of any kind, but particularly one like diabetes, where one of the advantages is constant control over the long term, but in the short term, the process can feel overwhelming. All the things that you have to do and pay attention to can seem much more than you're capable of, especially if you're a child — you already feel there are many more things you'd rather do." 3. Halle Berry told Marie Claire how having Type 2 diabetes affects her as a mother: "When I found out, I was like, Oh my God, I have a disease. I was terrified. But I'm healthier since the diagnosis, and I think it has made me a better mom, because I'm so aware of how much sugar we consume. I've very conscious of what my children eat and how much they take in. People think it's hard to cut out sugar, but it can be done. You just have to put some e Continue reading >>

18 Famous People With Diabetes

It's estimated that one in three Americans will have Type 2 diabetes by 2050, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are linked to genetic predisposition, the chances of developing type 2 diabetes are significantly higher if you don't follow a healthy lifestyle. But a 2013 Johns Hopkins study found that pre-diabetic people who lost 10 percent of their body weight within six months of diagnosis lowered their risk of developing diabetes. The good news is that in today’s world, diabetes doesn’t need to stop you. Here’s a list of famous people who have successfully managed their diabetes. In 2013, Tom Hanks announced that he has type 2 diabetes on The Late Show with David Letterman. The 57-year-old actor has lost and gained weight for several movie roles, and weight gain is a factor that could lead to a diabetes diagnosis. “I was heavy. You've seen me in movies, you know what I looked like," he said in an interview with Radio Times. "I was a total idiot." The actor had to gain 30 pounds to play Jimmy Dugan in 1992’s “A League of Their Own,” and lost about 50 pounds for his role in 2000’s “Cast Away.” Related: 12 Actors Who Massively Transformed Themselves for a Role While on the set of short-lived television show “Living Dolls” in 1989, actress Halle Berry collapsed into a week-long diabetic coma. "Diabetes caught me completely off guard," she said in an interview. Unfortunately, this isn't uncommon. It's estimated that seven million Americans are currently undiagnosed. Today Berry is healthy and is thankful she can manage her diabetes. “[Doctors] told me I could lose my eyesight, or I could lose my legs," Berry said in an interview with The Daily Mail. "I was scared to death. I th Continue reading >>

Celebrities With Type 1 Diabetes

1 / 14 Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn't produce insulin, the hormone that converts glucose into energy. The condition affects about 3 million people in the United States alone, and everyone with type 1 diabetes — including celebrities — must replace their insulin every day. So, every time you take the steps needed to monitor your condition, remember that you’re in some pretty famous company. Continue reading >>

10 Celebrities With Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin resistance According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes, of which 90–95 percent have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in people over the age of 45, though there has been an increase in recent years of the disease developing in children, teens, and young adults. Although type 2 diabetes comes with serious health risks, it’s often highly manageable through diet, medications, healthy lifestyle habits, and strong friends and family support systems. Here is a list of 10 celebrities with type 2 diabetes who continue to live or have lived exciting, healthy, and fulfilling lives. 1. Larry King American television and radio host Larry King was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1995, eight years after surviving bypass surgery from a heart attack. Since his diagnosis, he’s lost considerable weight, quit smoking, and developed an all-around healthier lifestyle. “Good food, exercise, and meds,” he told Health Monitor in 2013. “Three rules, and none of them are hard.” His three rules involve eating what you love, keeping exercise fun, such as dancing, and being an exemplary patient. “Once you have diabetes, knowledge is a great protector,” he added. “Good information is readily available. Take advantage of that. The more you know, the better off you are.” 2. Halle Berry Type 2 diabetes can take years to develop before showing any serious symptoms. In 1989, after feeling fatigued, this Academy Award–winning American actress passed out while working on the TV show “Living Dolls” and didn’t wake up for seven days. She was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to a genetic predisposition. As soon as she returned from the hospital, Berry dramatically changed her diet to on Continue reading >>

Famous People With Diabetes

Diabetes is a pain, but it doesn’t have to stop you from achieving your greatest ambitions. Here are over 200 people with diabetes that have risen to the very top of their respective fields. If you have someone to add, please post a link in the comments! Jack Benny, 1950s television host, type 1 Wilford Brimley, of television and films, “Cocoon” and “The Firm”, type 2 Delta Burke, of television’s “Designing Women”, type 2 James Cagney, producer, director and actor, type not known Drew Carey, comedian, type 2 Nell Carter, of the television show “Gimme a Break”, type 2 Dick Clark, host of “American Bandstand”, type 2 Paula Deen, television chef, type 2 Dale Evans, actress, singer and wife of Roy Rogers, type 2 Stephen Furst, actor on the television shows “St. Elsewhere” and “Babylon 5”, type 2 Victor Garber, “Alias”, type 1 Jackie Gleason, funny star of “The Honeymooners”, type 2 Tom Hanks, type 2 Salma Hayek, gestational diabetes Gabriel Iglesias, American comedian, actor, writer, producer and voice actor, type 2 Randy Jackson of “American Idol”, type 2 Gordon Jump, actor on “WKRP in Cincinnati”, type 2 Larry King, “Larry King Live”, type 2 Mabel King, actress who played Mama on “What’s Happening”, type not known Jerry Lewis, comedian, type 1 George Lucas, creator of Star Wars Saga, type 2 Marcello Mastroianni, actor who appeared in 142 films, type not known Jerry Mathers, actor of “Leave It To Beaver” fame, type 2 Richard Mulligan, actor on the television show “Empty Nest”, type not known Minnie Pearl, entertainer, actress on the variety show “Hee Haw”, type 2 Aida Turturro, plays Tony’s sister on the Sopranos, type 2 Ehster Rolle, actress on the TV Show “Good Times”, type not known George C. Sc Continue reading >>

List Of People With Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. Diabetes mellitus type 1, also known as type 1 diabetes, or T1DM (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) is a condition in which the body does not produce insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels in the body.[1][2] Whereas type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed in middle age and treated via diet, oral medication and/or insulin therapy, type 1 diabetes tends to be diagnosed earlier in life, and people with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy for survival.[1] The following is a list of notable people—including writers, artists, athletes, entertainers, and others—who have been documented as having type 1 diabetes. List of people[edit] Crystal Bowersox Damon Dash Sam Fuld Nick Jonas Este Haim Theresa May Mary Tyler Moore Anne Rice Derek Theler Name Lifespan Nationality Notability Ref. Akram, WasimWasim Akram 1966– Pakistani Cricketer, television personality [3] Bassinger, BrecBrec Bassinger 1999– American Actress [4] Bean, DexterDexter Bean 1987– American Auto racing driver [5] Bigard, Jean-MarieJean-Marie Bigard 1954– French Actor [6] Bowersox, CrystalCrystal Bowersox 1985– American Singer-songwriter and actress [7] Boynton, NickNick Boynton 1979– Canadian Ice hockey defenceman [8] Brass, DarrenDarren Brass 1972– American Tattoo artist [9] Burgalat, BertrandBertrand Burgalat 1963– French Musician and music producer [10] Canyon, GeorgeGeorge Canyon 1970– Canadian Country music singer [11] Channing, CarolCarol Channing 1921– American Actress, comedian [12] Clarke, BobbyBobby Clarke 1949– Canadian Ice hockey centre [13] Coker, BenBen Coker 1989– British Associ Continue reading >>

15 Celebrities With Diabetes

The Oscar-winning actress was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 22 after slipping into a weeklong coma. In 2007, however, Berry flummoxed the media when she announced that she'd weaned herself off insulin, which type 1 diabetics typically inject, as they can't produce insulin on their own. It turns out the star had type 2 diabetes—the kind that's typically associated with being overweight—all along: Berry's healthy, fit bod threw her doctors for a loop. Are you young and fit? You might still be at risk for type 2 diabetes. "I'm not counting on a cure. But I'm not going to let this control me," the NFL starting quarterback told Men's Health in a recent interview. In 2008, after losing 35 pounds and feeling drained of energy, Culter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and immediately began treatment to manage the condition, which affects 2 million other Americans. Cutler wears an insulin pump, monitors his blood sugar, and says, "Now I can play at 100 percent of my ability." While pregnant with her daughter, Valentina, actress Hayek developed gestational diabetes, high blood sugar that occurs in up to 10% of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy, but women who have had it are up to 60% more likely to develop diabetes in the next 10-20 years, according to the National Institutes of Health. Luckily, there are ways you can slash your diabetes risk. When diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, pop star Jonas' blood sugar level was over 700—normal blood sugar levels range from 70-120, and a level as high as 700 puts you at risk of coma and death. Jonas was hospitalized and has since learned to manage his diabetes. Once called juvenile diabetes, type 1 is the most common type of diabetes among people younger than 20, but can strike at any age. Continue reading >>

10 Celebrities Who Have Diabetes

1. Halle Berry It seemed to come out of nowhere: weakness, exhaustion and then a sudden urge to lie down. But it wasn’t until Halle Berry suddenly collapsed and slipped into a weeklong coma in 1989 that the Oscar-winning actress knew something was seriously wrong. Berry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and, over the course of the last 20 years, has taken every opportunity to talk about her disease – even going so far as to controversially claim she had been cured by weaning herself off insulin in 2007. She now considers herself to be in the Type 2 diabetes bracket. Many experts speculate Berry is either confused or was simply misdiagnosed and had Type 2 diabetes all along. 2. Drew Carey Comedian Drew Carey is another celebrity who claims to have cured his diabetes. After dropping 80 pounds in about six months with a low carb diet and lots of cardio exercise, the ‘Price is Right’ host says he stopped requiring medication to treat his Type 2 diabetes. “I’m not diabetic anymore,” he told People magazine after his dramatic weight-loss. “No medication needed.” Doctors say Carey is probably in remission and that his technique is by no means a cure for the disease. 3. Bobby Clarke He’s known as the rugged leader of the Broadstreet Bullies, one of the most notorious teams in hockey history, but for most of his 15-season NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers, Bobby Clarke’s biggest battle was off the ice. The Canadian hockey legend was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age and, in spite of his obvious talent, needed doctors notes to prove he would be able to play in the NHL. Clarke went on to lead the Flyers to two Stanley Cups and was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times. After a decades-long battle with high blood sugar, Tom Hanks Continue reading >>

50 Famous & Successful People Who Are Diabetic

is a serious, sometimes life-threatening disease that affects millions of people, famous and successful included. But suffering from this disease doesn't mean your life has to stop where it is-many people have gone on to live full, productive lives, achieving greatness from Nobel Prizes to Halls of Fame. Read on to learn about 50 famous and successful people who achieved despite this unfortunate affliction. Science & Medicine Inventors, doctors, and other people of science achieved greatness in the face of diabetes. George R. Minot: This Nobel Prize Winner for anemia was one of the first patients treated with insulin. Lois Jovanovic: Lois is a pioneer in the work of diabetes and pregnancy. Cynthia Ice: Cynthia Ice — who lost her eyesight to diabetic retinopathy — became IBM's Lotus Accessibility Lead. Thomas Edison: The prolific American inventor and businessman managed to create an amazing amount of patents while suffering from diabetes. Albert Ellis: Albert Ellis was a cognitive behavioral therapist who was diagnosed with diabetes at 40. Despite this and other health problems, he lived to be 93. Business & Politics Presidents and CEOs alike have suffered from diabetes. Yuri Andropov: Among other medical conditions, Soviet politician Yuri Andropov suffered from diabetes. Ray Kroc: Ray Kroc overcame diabetes and arthritis to create McDonald's. Janet Jagan: Guyanese President Janet Jagan has been treated for diabetes. James Farmer: Civil rights legend James Farmer lost his sight and legs to severe diabetes. Fran Carpentier: A diabetic, Fran Carpentier is also Parade Magazine's Senior Editor. Mikhail Gorbachev: Mikhail Gorbachev, former USSR leader, manages his type 2 diabetes with medication. Tom Foster: Tom Foster, former head of Foster Poultry Farms, died from comp Continue reading >>

Famous People & Celebrities With Diabetes

Tweet With an ever increasing number of people developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it has never been more important to look to role models in order to gain insight and inspiration. It is often easy to look at celebrities assuming that their lives consist exclusively of wining, dining and socialising. However, many high flying celebrities, sportsmen and socialites actually have diabetes yet never appear to allow having this condition interfere with their aspirations, goals and ambitions. It is for these reasons that they are such great role models to many people with the condition. Below are just a handful of the celebrities, sportsmen, politicians and socialites who have diabetes yet have not let the condition hold them back from attaining their goals and dreams. Pioneers of diabetes As well as the celebrities listed below, there are numerous individuals, whom are considered pioneers - for either their contribution to diabetes research and understanding or those whose resiliance is positively uplifting. See the complete list of diabetes pioneers. If there any celebrities or pioneers you'd like us to profile, let us know. Tweet Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) due to the body: Being ineffective at using the insulin it has produced; also known as insulin resistance and/or Being unable to produce enough insulin Type 2 diabetes is characterised by the body being unable to metabolise glucose (a simple sugar). This leads to high levels of blood glucose which over time may damage the organs of the body. From this, it can be understood that for someone with diabetes something that is food for ordinary people can become a sort of metabolic poison. This is why people with diabetes are advised to avoid so Continue reading >>

Celebrities With Diabetes Slideshow

The Oscar-winning actor announced he has type 2 diabetes when late-night host David Letterman commented on his newly slim figure in October 2013. "I went to the doctor and he said, ‘You know those high blood sugar numbers you’ve been dealing with since you were 36? Well, you’ve graduated. You’ve got type 2 diabetes, young man.'" Hanks added that the condition is controllable, but he joked that he couldn't get back down to his high-school weight of 96 pounds. "I was a very skinny boy!" The talk show host has type 2 diabetes. "It's definitely controllable," King has said on his show. Diabetes makes heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems more likely. King has had bypass heart surgery. Diabetes wasn't the only thing that raised his risk for ticker trouble: King had been a heavy smoker, and smoking hurts the heart. But by taking care of his diabetes (and quitting smoking), King helps his ticker and the rest of his body. Salma Hayek The Oscar-nominee had gestational diabetes, which happens during pregnancy, while expecting her daughter, Valentina. Hayek has a family history of diabetes. Experts say all women should get checked for gestational diabetes when they are 24-28 weeks pregnant. Those at risk for type 2 diabetes are checked at their first prenatal visit. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery, but it could return with a later pregnancy. It can also make you more likely to get type 2 diabetes later on. This singer went public with his type 1 diabetes in 2007. He has said that his symptoms included weight loss and thirst. When diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, his blood sugar was over 700 -- and normal blood sugar levels are from 70 to 120. Jonas was hospitalized, but he learned to manage his condition. Once called Continue reading >>

15 Stars With Type 2 Diabetes

In most cases, celebrities are reluctant to talk openly about their medical issues (think: Kathy Bates’ recent revelation that she’d battled ovarian cancer 9 years ago, but kept it under wraps.). But these 15 celebrities have turned their type 2 diabetes diagnoses into personal missions to raise awareness, and keep the conversation going about a disease that the CDC says could affect as many as one in three adults by 2050. Here, meet 15 celebrities who were diagnosed with this disease and how they’re taking control of their health now. The actress, 46, was diagnosed in 1988, when she slipped into a diabetic coma while at work on the set of the TV show Living Dolls. Though she’s since discovered that she has type 2 diabetes, doctors initially thought the slender, fit Berry had type 1 diabetes. In the years since her diagnosis, the Oscar winner has taken every opportunity to discuss her illness in interviews—and is the face of the education program called Diabetes Aware. “Hopefully, through our efforts, we will empower people to better understand what it means to live with diabetes, and not be afraid to seek help,” she said. When clothing designer and actress Burke was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997, she wasn’t exactly a model patient. “It freaked me out—I was scared,” she says. “But I began to learn more about it, so I could better control it, and I learned that I had to do that by testing my blood sugar, eating more protein, consuming smaller portions, and getting more exercise.” Since then, she’s taken the same approach she had with her previous struggles with weight gain and depression—she started talking. "I like to share with other people, to help remove the stigma,” she said after becoming a paid spokesperson for the Amlyn Ph Continue reading >>

Famous People With Diabetes

We originally published this list in 2000. In the years since, many more celebrities, stars, athletes, and movers and shakers have joined the ranks of people with diabetes. Here is an updated list of the more prominent ones, divided between the living and the dead. If you know of any celebrities with diabetes whom we have missed, please let us know in the comments section below. Living Actors/Directors Halle Berry, Oscar-winning actress Wilford Brimley, of television and films, “Cocoon” and “The Firm” J. Anthony Brown, actor (“Drumline”), comedian Delta Burke, of television’s “Designing Women” Nell Carter, of the television show “Gimme a Break” Dick Clark, television emcee, producer Stephen Furst, actor on the television shows “St. Elsewhere” and “Babylon 5” Victor Garber, actor (“Alias,” “Titanic,” “Sleepless in Seattle”) Dorian Gregory, actor (“Charmed,” “The Other half”) Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999 Zippora Karz, former New York City Ballet soloist, ballet teacher Larry King, talk show host Jerry Lewis, comedian, telethon host Jerry Mathers, actor of “Leave It To Beaver” fame Mary Tyler Moore, actress and star of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” Park Overall, actress (“Empty Nest”) Della Reese, singer, actress (“Touched by an Angel”) Sir Harry Secombe, Welsh singer, former president of the British Diabetic Association Jean Smart, actress on “Designing Women” Elaine Stritch, comedian Elizabeth Taylor, actress (“National Velvet,” “Cleopatra,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”) Aida Tuturro, actress (“The Sopranos”) Political Leaders Hafez al-Assad, dictator of Syria Menachem Begin, Israeli prime minister Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington, D.C. Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet Continue reading >>

55+ Famous People With Diabetes

List of Famous People with Diabetes, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Diabetes is a term for metabolic diseases that result in and individual having high blood sugar. Type I diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin. Type II diabetes is a condition where cells fail to properly use the insulin that the body produces. Type I diabetes is typically caused by genetics and is unrelated to lifestyle, whereas Type II diabetes is primarily caused by lifestyle choices. There is no known cure for diabetes although it is treatable. Who is the most famous person with diabetes? Halle Berry tops our list. The “Catwoman” actress drastically changed her diet upon receiving the diagnosis and she tests her insulin levels multiple times a day. Berry's “Cloud Atlas” co-star Tom Hanks announced in an interview with David Letterman that he also suffers from Type II diabetes. Hanks has repeatedly gained and lost weight for various roles, which may have played into his diabetes diagnosis. Celebrity chef Paula Deen, who is known for making decadent dishes with lots of butter and bacon, is also diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Deen still loves her southern cooking, but she adapted a healthier lifestyle upon hearing the diagnosis. That's more than can be said about Elvis Presley, who chose not to treat his diabetes. Many people believe that this is one of the factors of his early death. Why do you think so many famous people have been diagnosed with diabetes? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Continue reading >>