Famous People With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia

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Alzheimer's disease and dementia can affect anyone—even people who are famous. Here is a list of famous people with Alzheimer's or dementia, including actors, athletes, writers, and other public figures.

Robin Williams, an example of a famous person diagnosed with dementia
Getty Images Europe/ Getty Images

Actors and Film

  • Mabel Albertson, actress (1901-1982)
  • Dana Andrews, actor (1909-1992)
  • Estelle Getty, actress (1923-2008)
  • Charles Bronson, actor (1921-2003)
  • James Doohan, actor (1920-2005)
  • Arlene Francis, actor (1907-2001)
  • Mike (M.J.) Frankovich, actor, film producer (1909-1992)
  • Rita Hayworth, actress (1918-1987)
  • Peter Falk, actor (1927-2011)
  • Charlton Heston, actor and political activist (1923-2008)
  • Mervyn Leroy, director, producer (1900-1987)
  • Jack Lord, actor (1920-1998)
  • Burgess Meredith, actor (1907-1997)
  • Edmond O’Brien, actor (1915-1985)
  • Arthur O’Connell, actor (1908-1981)
  • Molly Picon, actress (1898-1992)
  • Otto Preminger, director (1905-1986)
  • Harry Ritz, actor (1907-1986)
  • Sean Connery, actor (1930-2020)
  • Simon Scott, actor (1920-1991)
  • Irving Shulman, screenwriter (1913-1995)
  • Aaron Spelling, producer (1923-2006)
  • Evelyn Keyes, actress (1916-2008)
  • Robin Williams, actor (1951-2014)
  • Joanne Woodward, actress (1930-)

Sports

  • Joe Adcock, baseball player (1927-1999)
  • Tom Fears, professional football player and coach (1922-2000)
  • Gordie Howe, hockey player (1928-2016)
  • Marv Owen, baseball player (1906-1991)
  • Bill Quackenbush, professional hockey player (1922-1999)
  • Sugar Ray Robinson, boxer (1921-1989)
  • Betty (Robinson) Schwartz, Olympic gold medal winner in track events (1911-1999)
  • Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee Volunteers basketball coach (1952-2016)

Musicians

  • Rudolph Bing, opera impresario (1902-1997)
  • Tony Bennett, singer (1926-) 
  • Glen Campbell, country music star (1936-2017)
  • Casey Kasem, DJ and radio personality (1932-2014)
  • Perry Como, singer, entertainer (1912-2001)
  • Aaron Copland, composer ( 1900-1990)
  • Thomas Dorsey, singer (1899-1993)
  • John Mann, songwriter (1962-2019)
  • Steve Lawrence, singer (1935-)
  • Kay Swift, composer (1897-1993)
  • Malcolm Young, AC/DC musician (1953-2017)

Artists, Designers, and Chefs

  • James Brooks, artist (1906-1992)
  • Joyce Chen, chef (1917-1994)
  • Willem de Kooning, artist (1904-1997)
  • Louis Féraud, fashion designer (1921-1999)
  • Norman Rockwell, artist (1894-1978)

Politicians and Activists

  • Carroll Campbell, Former Republican Senator (1940-2005)
  • Barry Goldwater, Senator of Arizona (1909-1998)
  • Raul Silva Henriquez, Roman Catholic cardinal, human rights advocate (1907-1999)
  • Rosa Parks, activist for equal rights (1913-2005)
  • Ronald Reagan, 40th President of USA (1911-2004)
  • Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of the United Kingdom (1925-2013)
  • Harold Wilson, prime minster of the United Kingdom (1916-1995)

Authors, Writers, and Journalists

  • Abe Burrows, author (1910-1985)
  • Ross Macdonald, author (1915-1983)
  • Gabriel García Márquez, author (1927-2014)
  • Christopher Durang, playwright (1949-)
  • Robert Bly, poet and activist (1926-2021)
  • Ben Bradlee, journalist (1921-2014)
  • Iris Murdoch, author (1919-1999)
  • Pauline Phillips, Dear Abby advice columnist (1918-2013)
  • Alfred van Vogt, science fiction writer (1912-2000)
  • E.B. White, author (1899-1985)

Scientists

  • John Douglas French, physician (1911-1989)
  • Ray Dolby, sound engineer (1933-2013)
  • Jack Hanna, zookeeper (1947-)
  • Robert Huebner, virologist (1914-1998)

A Word From Verywell

People from all walks of life can be affected by Alzheimer's and dementia. If you're concerned about yourself or a loved one because you've noticed the warning signs of dementia, reach out for help.

It may help to take an at-home dementia screening test called the SAGE to see whether the changes could be a normal part of aging or a concern you should bring to your healthcare provider.

By Christine Kennard
 Christine Kennard is a psychiatric nurse practicing in the United Kingdom and co-author of "Alzheimer's Disease: An A-Z For New Caregivers."