List of people with epilepsy

This is a categorised alphabetical list of people who have, or are believed to have had, the medical condition epilepsy. Bear in mind that the accuracy of retrospective or posthumous diagnoses can never be verified. In particular, many historical figures may instead have suffered from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, alcohol withdrawal seizures, fainting, or other conditions.

Actors

• Bud Abbott, (1897-1974).^[1] The straight man in the comedy team of Abbot and Costello. He had epilepsy all his life, and tried to control and hide it by drinking.
• Danny Glover, (1947-).^[2] An American actor and film director who had epilepsy from age 15 to age 35.
• Margaux Hemingway, (1955-1996).^[3] A film actress and model who had epilepsy from the age of 7. She died of an overdose of phenobarbital, which is an anticonvulsant.
• Rik Mayall, (1958-).^[4] A comedian and actor who was seriously injured and put in a coma for five days after a quad bike accident in 1998. Initially prescribed phenytoin prophylactically, he has since had two seizures due to not taking his medication.
• Hugo Weaving, (1960-).^[5][6] An actor who has taken anticonvulsants for epilepsy since his first seizure age 13.

Artists, Writers and Composers

• Karen Armstrong, (1944-).^[7][8] An author, feminist and writer on Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Her temporal lobe epilepsy went undiagnosed for many years. She wrote in her autobiography that when (in her early thirties) she was finally given the diagnosis, it was "an occasion of pure happiness".
• Max Clifford, (1946-).^[9] A publicist known for representing controversial clients. He developed epilepsy at the age of 46.
• Fyodor Dostoyevsky, (1821-1881).^[10][11] A Russian writer whose epilepsy was probably inherited (both his father and his son had seizures). He incorporated his experiences into his novels – creating four different characters with epilepsy. Dostoyevsky's epilepsy was unusual in that he claimed to experience an ecstatic aura prior to a seizure, whereas most people experience unpleasant feelings.
• Edward Lear, (1812-1888).^[12] An artist, illustrator and writer known for his nonsensical poetry and limericks. His epilepsy, which he developed as a child, may have been inherited (his elder sister Jane had frequent seizures and died young). Lear was ashamed of his epilepsy and kept it a secret. He did, however, record each seizure in his diary.
• Laurie Lee, (1914-1997).^[13] A poet, novelist and screenwriter, most famous for his autobiographical trilogy (which includes Cider with Rosie). His epilepsy probably developed after being knocked down by a bicycle at the age of 10. He kept it secret and it only surfaced when his papers were read by biographers after his death.
• Vachel Lindsay, (1879-1931).^[14] A poet who took phenobarbital for his epilepsy.

Leaders, Politicians and Royalty

• Neil Abercrombie, (1937-).^[15][16] A United States congressman who campaigns for increased funding for epilepsy research. He was diagnosed with epilepsy in his early thirties.
• Rabbi Lionel Blue, (1930-).^[17] A rabbi and broadcaster, best known for his contributions to "Thought for the Day" on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. His epilepsy is successfully controlled with medication.
• Tony Coelho, (1942-).^[18] A former United States congressman who developed epilepsy aged 16, possibly as a result of an earlier head injury. This would lead to rejection by his family and the Jesuits for "possession by the devil". He has campaigned as a congressman for disabled rights and chairs the Epilepsy Foundation's national board of directors.
• Prince John of the United Kingdom, (1905-1919).^[19] The youngest son of King George V, John had epilepsy from the age of 4 until his death after a seizure aged 13. The shame of his epilepsy, along with other neurological problems, meant he was kept from the public eye.
• Harry Laughlin, (1880-1943).^[20][21] The director of the American Eugenics Record Office from its inception in 1910 to its closing in 1939. In 1922, he drew up laws for the compulsory sterilization of various "degenerate" groups, which included those with epilepsy.
• Ida McKinley, (1847-1907).^[22] First Lady of the United States from 1897 to 1901. Her epilepsy started in adulthood and was to become quite disabling and inconvenient. As was normal for the time, great efforts were made to keep this secret.
• Pope Pius IX, (1792-1878).^[23][24][25] Had childhood epilepsy.

Musicians

• Lindsey Buckingham, (1949-).^[26][27] The guitarist and singer in the music group Fleetwood Mac was taken to hospital after a seizure whilst on tour, aged 29. His mild epilepsy was sucessfully controlled by anticonvulsant drugs.
• Ian Curtis, (1956-1980).^[28][29] The vocalist and lyricist of the band Joy Division was diagnosed with epilepsy aged 22. The cover of their album Unknown Pleasures resembles an EEG tracing, but is actually the tracings of the radio emissions of a pulsar.
• Adam Horovitz, (1966-).^[30][31] Member of the music group Beastie Boys.
• Richard Jobson, (1960-).^[32] Formerly the lead singer with the punk rock group, The Skids, now a television presenter and film maker. He has absence seizures.
• Geoff Rickly, (?).^[33][34] A member of the band Thursday, who discovered he had epilepsy whilst on tour.
• Mike Skinner, (1978-).^[35] Also known as The Streets, he had epilepsy between the ages of 7 and 20.
• Neil Young, (1945-).^[36] Singer-songwriter, formerly of folk rock band Buffalo Springfield. Apparently learned to control his epilepsy via "mind over matter", rather than taking anticonvulsant drugs.

Scientists

• Don Craig Wiley, (1944-2001).^[37] A protein-structure biochemist. He kept his epilepsy secret, didn't treat it, and died under mysterious circumstances possibly owning to a seizure.

Sports People

• Grover Cleveland Alexander, (1887-1950).^[38] A major league baseball pitcher who tried to hide his epilepsy with alcohol, which was at the time considered to be a more socially acceptable problem.
• Buddy Bell, (1951-).^[39] A major league baseball player and manager.
• Tony Greig, (1946-).^[40] A former cricketer and commentator who is involved with Epilepsy Action Australia. He had his first seizure, aged 14, during a tennis game but has successfully controlled his epilepsy with medication.
• Alan Faneca, (1976-).^[41][42] is an American Football guard who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 15 and takes the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, which sucessfully controls is seizures.
• Bobby Jones, (1951-).^[43][44] A former pro basketball player who developed epilepsy and a heart problem as an adult, but persevered with his game.
• Florence Griffith Joyner, (1959-1998).^[45] An athlete with world records in the 100m and 200m. She developed seizures in her thirties, possibly due to a cavernous angioma that was discovered on autopsy. She died from asphyxiation after a severe seizure whilst asleep.
• Tony Lazzeri, (1903-1946).^[46] A major league baseball player who probably died after seizure that occurred when he was alone at home.
• Terry Marsh, (1958-).^[47][48] A boxer who was IBF world light-welterweight champion. His diagnosis of epilepsy in 1987, aged 29, forced him into retirement undefeated.
• Jonty Rhodes, (1969-).^[49] A cricketer who is involved with Epilepsy South Africa.
• Tom Smith, (1971-).^[50] Former Scottish international and Northampton Saints rugby player. Has had epilepsy since the age of 18. He is a patron of the Scottish epilepsy charity Enlighten.

References

• Jenna Martin (2006-02-02). "Rewriting History: Did All Those Famous People Really Have Epilepsy?". Epilepsy.com.
• Hughes JR (2005). "Did all those famous people really have epilepsy?". Epilepsy & Behavior. 6 (2): 115–39. PMID 15710295.
• J.W. Sander (2006-02-02). "Fits, faints and funny turns - the differential diagnosis of epilepsy". e-epilepsy. The National Society for Epilepsy. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)

Footnotes

1. ^ Tom Raymond (2006-02-02). "Bud Abbott Biography". Clown Ministry.
2. ^ "Famous Star of the Big Screen steps out from the Shadows". International Bureau for Epilepsy. 2006-02-02.
3. ^ Hara Estroff Marano (2006-02-02). "What killed Margaux Hemingway?". Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)
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6. ^ Maddox, Garry (2003). "Life in the Matrix". West of Oz (June 2003).
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9. ^ "What would they do now? - Max Clifford on how today's monarchy might handle Prince John". BBC Worldwide Press Releases. 2006-02-07.
10. ^ "Fyodor Dostoevsky". Charge - The experience of Epilepsy. 2006-02-02.
11. ^ Hughes JR (2005). "The idiosyncratic aspects of the epilepsy of Fyodor Dostoevsky". Epilepsy & Behavior. 7 (3): 531–8. PMID 16194626.
12. ^ "Edward Lear". Charge - The experience of Epilepsy. 2006-02-02.
13. ^ Knight, John (2000). "Laurie Lee: Myth And Reality - Book Review". Contemporary Review (June 2000).
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15. ^ Natalie Frazin (2006-02-07). "White House-Initiated Conference on Epilepsy". National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
16. ^ "Congress Alerted to Critical Issues in Women's Health". Epilepsy Foundation. 2006-02-07.
17. ^ Lionel Blue (2006-02-10). "Donation Appeal". fundraisingdinner.com (Epilepsy Research Foundation).
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21. ^ Pfeiffer, David (1994). "Eugenics and Disability Discrimination". Disability & Society. 9 (4): 481–499.
22. ^ Anne Adams (2006-02-02). "Ida Saxton McKinley". History's Women: The Unsung Heroines.
23. ^ Terry H Jones (2006-02-02). "Pius IX". Patron Saints Index.
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25. ^ "Pope Pius IX". L'Osservatore Romano. 2006-02-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)
26. ^ McLane, Daisann (1980). "Five Not So Easy Pieces". Rolling Stone (310).
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28. ^ "Biography". Ian Curtis and Joy Division Fan Club. 2006-02-02.
29. ^ Mark Price (2006-02-02). "A short biography of Ian Curtis". Joy Division Central.
30. ^ "Interview with Adam Horovitz". Details Magazine. 1994. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
31. ^ "Interview with Adam Horovitz". Spin Magazine. 1994.
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40. ^ "Our Board". Epilepsy Action (Australia). 2006-02-02.
41. ^ "Epilepsy Foundation Salutes Steelers' Alan Faneca on Super Bowl Sunday". Epilepsy Foundation. 2006-02-15.
42. ^ Adam Modzelesky (2006-02-15). "Not Faster than a Speeding Bullet, but More Powerful than a Locomotive, this Man of Steel is an Inspiration for Everyone". Epilepsy USA.
43. ^ "Bobby Jones: A Story of Perseverance". Atheltes in Action. 2006-02-02.
44. ^ David Friedman (2006-02-02). "The ultimate team player". Hoops Hype. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)
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49. ^ "Did You Know: Jonty Rhodes". Epilepsy South Africa. 2006-02-02.
50. ^ "Survey Reveals Impact Of Epilepsy On Men" (PDF). Press Release. Epilepsy Action. 2006-02-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)