Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Famous People With Alzheimer's Disease and Other Types of 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 April 09, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. 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 Alzheimer's disease doesn't just target one group of people. Rich or poor, famous or unknown—dementia can strike. Here's a list of just a few of the more well-known people with Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia. Getty Images Europe/ Getty Images Actors, Actresses, and Film Mabel Albertson, actorDana Andrews, actorCharles Bronson, actor, film directorJames Doohan, actorArlene Francis, actorMike Frankovich, film producerRita Hayworth, actressCharlton Heston actor and political activistMervyn Leroy, directorJack Lord, actorBurgess Meredith, actorEdmond O’Brien, actorArthur O’Connell, actorMolly Picon, actorOtto Preminger, directorHarry Ritz, performerSimon Scott, actorIrving Shulman, screenwriterRobin Williams, actor Sports Joe Adcock, baseball playerTom Fears, professional football player and coachGordie Howe, hockey playerMarv Owen, baseball playerBill Quackenbush, professional hockey playerSugar Ray Robinson, boxerBetty Schwartz, Olympic gold medal winner in track eventsPat Summitt, University of Tennessee Volunteers basketball coach Musicians Rudolph Bing, opera impresarioGlen Campbell, Country Music StarPerry Como, Singer entertainerAaron Copland, composerThomas Dorsey, singerJohn Mann, songwriterKay Swift, composerMalcolm Young, AC/DC musician Artists and Chefs James Brooks, artistJoyce Chen, chefWillem DeKooning, artistLouis Feraud, fashion designerNorman Rockwell, artist Politicians and Activists Carroll Campbell, Former Republican SenatorBarry Goldwater, Senator of ArizonaRaul Silva Henriquez, Roman Catholic cardinal, human rights advocateRosa Parks, activist for equal rightsRonald Reagan, 40th President of USAMargaret Thatcher, prime minister of the United KingdomHarold Wilson, British Prime Minister Authors/Writers Abe Burrows, authorRoss MacDonald, authorIris Murdoch, authorPauline Phillips, Dear Abby advice columnistAlfred Van Vogt, science fiction writerE.B. White, author Physicians John Douglas French, physician Recommendations As you can see, dementia strikes across the spectrum of society. While some decrease in the speed of your memory often occurs as you age, difficulty with normal functioning, such as your activities of daily living, is not normal. If you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, review these 10 warning signs of dementia. You can also take an at-home dementia screening test called the SAGE which can give help you discern if there are just expected changes in aging or a concern that should be evaluated by a physician. 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