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On Monday, molecular biologists Carol Greider and Elizabeth Blackburn became the first two women to share the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Greider also joined Pierre Curie and Archer Martin among the handful of individuals with dyslexia who have won a Nobel Prize. In honor of Greider’s accomplishment and National Dyslexic Awareness Month, here’s a brief background on dyslexia and 11 other dyslexic celebrities.
Dyslexia in Brief
According to the International Dyslexia Association, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability (or difference, if you prefer) that may affect an individual’s ability to read, write, spell, and pronounce words. It is the most common learning disability. While the effects of dyslexia range from mild to severe, an estimated 15 to 20 percent of the population has some of the symptoms of dyslexia. It’s unclear what causes dyslexia, but imagery studies reveal that a dyslexic person’s brain develops differently than someone without symptoms of dyslexia. Contrary to popular belief, people with dyslexia do not read “backwards,” though many dyslexics do a variety of other interesting things, as you’ll read below.
1. Henry Winkler
With his greased hair, leather jacket, and jeans, Winkler was the epitome of cool during his decade-long run as Fonzie on Happy Days. If only Winkler, who was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 35, knew how to ride the motorcycles that were as much a part of the Fonz’s character as his signature two thumbs up. “One of the effects was being unable to make my brain understand how to coordinate the clutch, throttle and brake on a motorcycle,” Winkler said of his dyslexia in 2008. “There was just no way I could figure it out, so I never got to ride that cool Harley-Davidson.” Instead, the motorcycle was mounted on a wood base with wheels for all of Winkler’s riding scenes. Winkler was ridiculed for his dyslexia as a child – his parents called him Dumb Dog – so it’s no surprise that he’s become an activist for others with dyslexia. Since 2003, he has published more than a dozen books about a fictional 10-year-old boy with dyslexia named Hank Zipzer. The books have sold more than 20 million copies.
2. Keira Knightley
Knightley, who starred alongside fellow dyslexic Orlando Bloom in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, has her dyslexia to thank for jumpstarting her acting career. Well, sort of. Knightley took an interest in acting at a very young age, but struggled to learn to read. When she was six years old, her mother bribed her with a promise to get her an agent if she practiced reading every day during the summer. “She felt so guilty at having made a six-year-old daughter do this that she had to get me an agent at the end of it,” Knightley recalled in 2003. Bizarrely, Knightley’s former school headmaster questioned the veracity of her claims that she was dyslexic in 2004, to which Knightley replied, “Of all the things you could lie about, I’m not quite sure you would lie about that one.”
3. Ingvar Kamprad
Ever wondered why IKEA products are named after Swedish places and things? Kamprad, the company’s wealthy founder, is dyslexic, and thought it would be easier to remember product names that way. The acronym IKEA is made up of the initials of his name, the family farm where he was born (Elmtaryd), and the nearby village of Agunnaryd.
4. Whoopi Goldberg
Goldberg dropped out of high school, became addicted to drugs, married her drug counselor, and had a child by the time she was 19. She wouldn’t be diagnosed with dyslexia until years later. “You don’t want to be retarded all your life,” Goldberg told Ebony magazine in 1991. “I was retarded for a good part of mine, according to all the paperwork, and I just couldn’t handle it.” Goldberg eventually got her life on track, catching her big break when Steven Spielberg, a dyslexic himself, cast her in The Color Purple. “I knew I wasn’t stupid, and I knew I wasn’t dumb,” Goldberg said in 1994. “…If you read to me, I could tell you everything that you read. They didn’t know what it was.”
5. Bruce Jenner
Jenner, who won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics and was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, has often described his dyslexia as his greatest gift. “If I hadn’t been dyslexic, I wouldn’t have won the Games because it made me special, being dyslexic,” he said in 2004. “If I would have been average like everybody else, I wouldn’t have needed sports at a young age.”
“I always tell dyslexic kids, ‘You may think of this as a big problem now. But it may be your greatest gift. It makes you special. Now your job is to find out what you’re good at and go for it.’”
Jenner has helped preach this message through his role as a motivational speaker and as the host of Demystifying Dyslexia, a documentary that describes modern learning tools for people with dyslexia.
6. Alyssa Milano
Milano, who will be starring in the upcoming ABC comedy Romantically Challenged, copes with her dyslexia on the big stage by following a tip she received from the late British actor Sir John Gielgud. Milano starred alongside Gielgud in the made-for-TV adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost in 1986. “When I asked him how he memorized his monologues, he said, ‘I write them down,’” Milano recalled in 2003. “I use that method to this day. It not only familiarizes me with my words, it makes them my own.”
7. Ozzy Osbourne
MTV’s hit reality show The Osbournes was originally slated to have sub-titles because nobody could understand what Ozzy was saying. “Even I couldn’t understand what the [expletive] I was talking about on television,” Osbourne told The Daily Telegraph. Osbourne grew up a severe dyslexic and dropped out of high school, turning to music, drugs, and alcohol to occupy his mind and time. During a 2007 interview with the London Evening Standard, Osbourne explained why he’s never read the Bible. “Have you ever tried to read that thing? I wouldn’t have wanted to be alive in those days, when Adam lived to be, like, 1,000 years old. I can’t do it, being dyslexic. By the time I finished page one, I’d be dead.”
8. Cher
Cher dropped out of high school before launching her successful career and wasn’t diagnosed as dyslexic until she was 30. The diagnosis came only after she arranged medical tests for her daughter, who was struggling in elementary school. “I’m a terrible reader,” Cher said in 1985. “I don’t write letters. Numbers and I have absolutely no relationship. I can dial a phone OK, as long as it’s not long-distance. I write the first letter of the word, and my mind races to the last letter. I see words and jumble them together. I see great billboards, billboards no one has ever invented.”
9. Jay Leno
The former host of The Tonight Show attributed the drive and perseverance he needed to succeed in comedy to his dyslexia. Leno, who received poor grades throughout elementary school, has said that one of his favorite career moments was calling up his fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Simon, 40 years after getting a C- on a paper about astronaut John Glenn and asking him to watch him interview Glenn. “I had Glenn sign a thing for Mr. Simon and I got my paper upgraded from a C- to an A,” said Leno, who received a B.A. in speech therapy from Emerson University.
10. Agatha Christie
A number of accomplished writers are believed to have had dyslexia, including Hans Christian Anderson, Lewis Carroll, W.B. Yeats, and Christie, the British mystery author and playwright. “I, myself, was always recognized…as the ‘slow one’ in the family,” Christie reportedly once said. “It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was…an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day.”
11. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab prefers oral communication to the written word, which is perhaps one of the reasons his firm’s marketing campaign suggests that you “Talk to Chuck” rather than write to him. Schwab, who wasn’t officially diagnosed with dyslexia until he was 40, graduated with a degree in economics from Stanford in 1959. “The first two years [at Stanford] I struggled because there were so many subjects,” said Schwab, who read the comic-book versions of classic books to get by. “I flunked English twice. They just passed me through the third time. I got an F in French. I had a tough enough time with the first language. When I came out of public high school I thought I could charm my teachers. I found out in college I couldn’t.” Schwab persevered and, in 1971, founded the brokerage firm that still bears his name.
* * * * *
Indeed, this list could have gone to 100. Share your stories of other famous people, friends, or family members living with dyslexia—or of living with dyslexia yourself—in the comments.
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Comments (36)
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Dyslexia has ruined my life. The fact that it has its own month of recognition makes me ill.
posted by Ned on 10-9-2009 at 10:35 am
Don’t historians think Alexander Graham Bell suffered from dyslexia?
posted by Gerry H. on 10-9-2009 at 10:37 am
For some reason, I confused “dyslexia” with “anorexia” and thought to myself, “Wow! Henry Winkler was anorexic?” Then my vocabulary woke up, and I realized what I’d done…
posted by Megan on 10-9-2009 at 10:37 am
Gen. George Patton Jr. had dyslexia, before people even knew what it was.
posted by Joe on 10-9-2009 at 10:38 am
The Swedish king, crown princess and prince all have dyslexia, wonder why ?
posted by pixiebelle on 10-9-2009 at 10:47 am
Great article! I think its important to share stories like these because some people go most of their lives not knowing disability, which is blessed, but doesn’t prepare one for all the kinds of people there are out here!
My father has dyslexia, I realized something before I even knew the word for it. He could never help me with my homework, even in the first grade. However, he is still an avid (if slow) reader and instilled similar values in me. He is also an encyclopedia of natural science and history facts, and retains a healthy love of learning to this day!
posted by Lynnie on 10-9-2009 at 11:07 am
Hey Megan, I did the same thing. Glad to know I’m not the only one who went there : )
posted by Chelsea on 10-9-2009 at 11:17 am
Megan and Chelsea, that makes three of us. Isn’t that strange?
posted by Sue on 10-9-2009 at 11:22 am
What a shame that parents, of all people, would ridicule their child rather than try to help them. Also, another reason not to hurry up and slap a label on someone. Hopefully, we are slightly more informed today. Or not.
posted by Hyacinth on 10-9-2009 at 11:32 am
@ Megan, Chelsea and Sue…: Could it be mild dyslexia?!
A case of reading one word and thinking another…
posted by ariaDne on 10-9-2009 at 11:34 am
I wonder if Alyssa Milano will catch this from a tweet.
posted by Steven on 10-9-2009 at 11:34 am
Me too on the anorexia thing. Guess we are all dyslexic.
posted by Rissa on 10-9-2009 at 11:37 am
Stephen Cannell, creator of dozens of famous TV shows, is dyslexic. He was helped to focus on his talent by a college professor. I heard Cannell talk about this at a book signing.
posted by Joel on 10-9-2009 at 11:49 am
I grandpa is dyslexic, because of this my grandma has always been the one to write letters and emails to people as well as managing the home accounts. I think it is one of those things that I really love about my grandparents though, how they rely on each other, and it has never discouraged him from trying to use the internet even though he often comes up with error messages because he misspells web addresses.
I believe that my uncle also had dyslexia (he died in Vietnam) and had inherited it from my grandpa, but I think when he entered the military (or was it high school?) they realized he had a disability and were able correct it.
posted by Melissa on 10-9-2009 at 12:13 pm
Dyslexia basically does not exist in countries with writing based on Chinese characters. The theory is that because it’s not letter based but more idea based for characters.
posted by Lance on 10-9-2009 at 12:18 pm
My father is dyslexic. He read his first book when he was 14 years old, and it was Hamlet.
I’m dyscalcic. A lot of people describe it as “numbers dyslexia” which drives me absolutely mad*. Dyscalculia is the inability to comprehend the abstract concept of numbers, and can also affect one’s ability to understand the concept of time and/or spatial relationships– I have trouble reading analog clocks and I get lost constantly, even with a map in my hand.
Many people don’t understand that a ‘learning disabilities’ diagnosis does not merely affect you in school, as Mr. Winkler stated, he has spatial issues also which are characteristic of people with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and developmental dyspraxia.
My father spent 30 years as a computer programmer, a job that entailed a lot of reading of complex computer code. I am now a buyer for a large hospital, which involves a lot of mathematical computation. I believe the reason my father and I both did well in careers that seem contradictory to our LD diagnosies is due to the fact we spend extra time on our tasks to ensure we have not made errors.
Oh, did I mention I have a master’s degree in educational psychology, too? :D
*As does ATM Machine– GAH! The M is for Machine! We do not work for the Department of Redundancy Department!
posted by Mary Sue on 10-9-2009 at 12:33 pm
I’m a high school English teacher and was diagnosed with dyslexia in college. To this day, I still have a hard time reading long passages to my students. I still do it, though. If I can stand up in front of them like this, I hope that it can inspire even one of them. When I write things out by hand, I have to write in all caps or things start getting really mixed up for everyone.
posted by Tomas on 10-9-2009 at 12:45 pm
Yay! I’m not alone in misunderstanding! And no, I don’t have dyslexia, but I do have Erlin’s syndrome, which makes reading black text against a white background difficult. In this case, though, I think my brain just registered the “exia” and skipped the “dysl”.
posted by Megan on 10-9-2009 at 12:53 pm
Irlen, not erlin…
posted by Megan on 10-9-2009 at 12:54 pm
I love reading this. I’m dyslexic. It’s such a weird thing. I can write and read just fine. When it comes to talking, I’ll mix up words and will just pronounce them wrong. I hate that it makes me sound stupid when I’m not. It’s gotten better now, but still is bad when I’m tired. Luckily, my mom works with dyslexic kids. So, I’ve had help from the beginning.
posted by Kels on 10-9-2009 at 1:21 pm
My uncle is dyslexic. When he was a kid, they just thought he was dumb- school was pretty tough. He married and he and my aunt went into business together. They tried various things, finally settling on wood products/sawdust/logging tree farms. He’s been extremely successful even though he has never learned to sign his own name. Like the person who wrote about their grandparents, my aunt and uncle have always worked together well as a team; he’s an inspiration.
Thanks for doing this post.
posted by ann on 10-9-2009 at 2:14 pm
Over the years, I’ve met a large number of people who exhibit directional dyslexia, more specifically R-L confusion, like I have. While, at times, not nearly as debilitating as more commonly discussed forms of number and letter dyslexia, nothing is worse than trying to figure out directions when you can’t conceptualize which was is left and which is right. Oddly enough, I very good written comprehension, so if it’s written down, I can make the necessary connections in my brain, but verbal instructions are just lost on me.
posted by Liz on 10-9-2009 at 4:05 pm
I know someone who is dyslexic. She’s also agnostic. And an insomniac.
She laid awake all night wondering if there really is a Dog.
Pardon the cheap shot at dyslexicons.
I’m sure some of them will write mean things about me in their dairies.
posted by Rabullione on 10-9-2009 at 4:20 pm
If all us dyslexics could untie, we could take over the woldr!
posted by Jon on 10-9-2009 at 5:50 pm
My husband is dyslexic and became a rocket scientist at NASA in his 20s — I was sorry to read that some folks think it ruined their lives. Today he is a systems engineer. Very few things in life cannot be overcome with the right attitude and energy.
posted by Susan on 10-9-2009 at 6:15 pm
Jay Leno attended Emerson College, not Emerson University.
posted by David on 10-9-2009 at 7:02 pm
i’m dyslexic/dyscalcic as well. i had a lot of teachers who thought i was lazy because i couldn’t spell, math was impossible and writing things was a slow torture for me. my mom insisted that i be tested for learning disabilities- turns out i’m above average intelligence in everything except maths (though i did well in geography).
i have to put a lot of work into school and study…it was hard when i was younger, but now i’m glad of the work ethic i’ve acquired. my writing and spelling have greatly improved, but i still forget words a lot, or forget what i’m talking about because my mind is jumping from idea to idea so fast.
really cool article- i’m glad it was posted. :)
posted by em on 10-10-2009 at 5:17 am
You can add Keanu Reeves that list as well.
posted by Rina on 10-10-2009 at 12:29 pm
I am dyslexic. I am lucky enough to have a mother who grew up in the late 50s and 60s. No one diagnosed dyslexia back then, they just assumed the children were dumb. My mother was forced once by her 4th grade teacher to read in front of the classroom, a memory that is forever burned into her mind. She was always extremely bright, when she couldn’t read the stories written she would make up her own based on the pictures in the book.
When I first showed signs in kindergarden of having trouble with words my mother wasted no time. Together with my kindergarden teacher, she petitioned the school and school district to have me tested (they thought it was way to early for that step). I was diagnosed after a series of tests with “encoding and decoding difficulties” (because who wants to call it dyslexia?). I see it as a gift. I cherish reading and writing because it is a privilege that I am able to do it. If I lived in some other country who knows if I would have been tested or had the opportunity that I have had.
To this day I love to read. I try to have an elevated vocabulary and use great diction. I am currently a senior in high school and taking A.P. Literature. Last year as a junior I took A.P. Composition and Writing while also taking Honors American Literature. This is not something most dyslexics would be able to do. I don’t see dyslexia as my fault, but the force that pushes me to be better than I am. Everyday I want to better my speaking, writing and reading abilities. I want to prove that dyslexia doesn’t have to ruin your life.
posted by K. Schaubz on 10-10-2009 at 4:55 pm
Tom Cruise is also a dyslexic.
posted by Debbie Marks on 10-10-2009 at 6:11 pm
My husband and son have mild dyslexia. They see the beginning and end of a word and cannot read correctly aloud. The meaning is usually similar, but not always. My husband has persevered and has a college degree. My son has an iq of 128 and is in gifted and advanced classes, including language arts.
recaptcha: costumes pheasant
posted by gckittehmom on 10-10-2009 at 6:19 pm
People should know that there is much that can be done to help children with dyslexia. My colleague and I have developed a free website and blog (reading2008.com/blog) that addressed many of the concerns parents have about reading disabilities and helps them to get the services their children need to become successful readers.
posted by Gary Brannigan, Ph.D. on 10-10-2009 at 10:23 pm
I loved this article. My brother is very dyslexic and also one of the most intelligent and creative people I know!
Lance, I would love to hear more about your reference to no dyslexia in countries that have writing based on chinese characters. Do you have any links or articles about that? I have long believed that dyslexia is probably more about a different learning style than a disorder. Hey, maybe we are all the one’s with a learning disability!
posted by VScott on 10-11-2009 at 3:31 pm
I’d like to seen an article on Dyspraxia someday.
Every time I talk about Dyspraxia, I hear “Oh! You mean Dyslexia?”
posted by Cooper on 10-12-2009 at 8:37 am
Read about regular folks who have faced the challenge of dyslexia and persevered. I’ve written two books profiling children and adults with learning disabilities (the most common being dyslexia). If you check out my web site, http://www.jilllauren.com, you can download pdfs with additional success stories.
Also, the New York Times magazine just wrote about Jamie Oliver, a famous British chef who is dyslexic, in the 10-13 issue.
posted by Jill on 10-12-2009 at 11:31 am
Oops! Jamie Oliver’s story was in the 10-11 magazine.
posted by Jill on 10-12-2009 at 11:34 am