Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Famous People With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia By Christine Kennard 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." Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 29, 2023 Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Film Sports Musicians Artists and Chefs Politicians and Activists Writers Scientists Alzheimer's disease and dementia can affect anyone—even people who are famous. Here is a list of celebrities, athletes, writers, and other public figures you may not know were diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. Getty Images Europe/ Getty Images Actors, Actresses, and Film Mabel Albertson, actor (1901-1982)Dana Andrews, actor (1909-1992)Estelle Getty, actress (1923-2008)Charles Bronson, actor, film director (1921-2003)James Doohan, actor (1920-2005)Arlene Francis, actor (1946-1986)Mike Frankovich, 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 (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, actor (1898-1992)Otto Preminger, director (1905-1986)Harry Ritz, performer (1907-1986)Sean Connery, actor (1930-2020)Simon Scott, actor (192001991)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 (1925-2013Harold 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 (1911-1987)Ray Dolby, sound engineer (1933-2013)Jack Hanna, zookeeper (1947-)Robert Huebner, virologist (1914-1998) Summary 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." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit