Famous People With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia

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.

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 (1925-2013
• 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 (1911-1987)
• 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.