Category: 50 Celebrities With Diabetes

Ester Rolle was born in 1920, native of Pompano Beach, California. Through her life she was a star. Her career choices took her to stage, film as well as TV rolls. Rolle’s stage appearances include “Don’t Play Us Cheap”. Her movie career had hits like, “Train Ride”. However, Rolle’s most memorable performance was in the 70s TV show, “Good Times”. Ester Rolle died in 1998 of complications from diabetes. She was 78 years old.

The world lost another famous diabetic when Ester Rolle died in 1998. She was battling through her health problems up until the end. Even though Rolle’s played a maid in two popular television programs, she made a promise to her father. Rolle’s kept that promise to the very end; she swore that she would never be a maid in real life.

Efraym Elliot Yamin entered the world in 1978. He is a native of Los Angeles, California. Yamin is from Jewish and Israeli descent. His musical career started out at an early age. Yamin was first discovered signing karaoke when he was a teenage. He has had several big breaks including a single titled, “Wait for You”. Most people may recognize him from “American Idol”, where he placed 3rd on the fifth season. Since being on “American Idol”, he has preformed on various talk shows as well as several other performances that has launched his musical talent to higher levels. Elliot Yamin is now 30 years old and in the height of his career.

At the age of 16, he learned that he had type 1 diabetes. He publicly described his reaction to that diagnosis: “I didn’t understand how I could go from being a normal kid to overnight, having this lifelong disease that was incurable.” Yamin got over his initial shock, and he went on to make a recording with Hickory Records.

Riley B. King entered the world in 1925. He is a native of Itta Bena, Mississippi. King began his career in the 40s where he went to Tennessee to become a star. Unfortunately, he did not make it at that time. King went back home to prepare himself better. Two years later, he returned for the break he was looking for. King began as a singer at a radio station, soon after he had his first recording contract. He is dubbed one of the best guitarist of all time. Some of his recordings include “Stand By Me”, “Woke Up This Morning” and “You Upset Me Baby”. King has had several television appearances and over 15,000 musical performances. B.B. King is 83 years old.

King has been living with type 2 diabetes for over 20 years. He is an avid spokesman for the disease. King was worried about the need to prick his fingers in order to test his blood glucose level. After he discovered the One Touch Ultra System, he agreed to be a voice for One Touch. King has also endorsed other products that allow individuals to take care of their diabetes successfully.

James Augustus Hunter is a native from New Orleans, born in 1946. Later, he became known as the Catfish Hunter. He played both football and baseball while in high school. During his senior year, he had a hunting accident and lost one toe. This accident worried the would be baseball star. Catfish Hunter felt that he could not have a successful career. However, he became one of the leading sports stars of his time. Still, he went on to pitch for an MLB team. On May 22, 1968, Hunter pitched a perfect game. He began his career with the Kansas City A’s in 1965 and it ended in 1979 with the New York Yankees. Catfish Hunter died in 1999 from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 53 years old.

The Lou Gehrig’s Disease was diagnosed one year before he died. In the last few years of Catfish Hunter’s life, he could barely throw a baseball. He was unconscious for a time when he hit his head on a step. Catfish Hunter was released from the hospital in good condition. Along with the Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This left him taking insulin injects 3 times a day.

Jackie Gleason was born as Herbert John Gleason in 1916. He was a native of Brooklyn, New York. Gleason is one of the most popular comedians in American history. Not only did he perform the comedic route, he was also known for dramatic roles as well. Most people know Gleason for his role as Ralph Kramden on the hit TV show “The Honeymooners”. His earlier life was troublesome, his father left and his mother died when he was only 19 years old. Gleason began his career on Broadway. “The Jackie Gleason Show” was an hour long variety program in the 50s. This became the second highest rated television show in the United States. Gleason was also a musician playing jazz. He has received an Academy Award for his dramatic performances. Jackie Gleason, an American icon, died in 1987 from liver and colon cancer. He was 71 years old.

Gleason was another comedian with diabetes. Gleason developed type 2 diabetes. While he did not make a direct reference to his diabetes while on-stage, he did become associated with an interesting statement. During almost every appearance, Gleason would say, “How sweet it is.”

Mikhail Gorbachev is one of the most famous Russian leaders of all times. He was born in 1931, a native of Privol’noe, Stavropol region, Russia. Gorbachev worked closely with President Ronald Reagan to bring the cold war to an end. He was the leader of Soviet Union from 1985 until its end in 1991. In 1990, he called for the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Europe in 1990. Gorbachev was awarded the Noble Peace Prize for his work in bring the Cold war to an end. At present, Gorbachev is the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats. Mikhail Gorbachev is 77 years old.

During his life he has had some fantastic achievements. Gorbachev has another success story as well. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it has not slowed him down. He manages his diabetes with the correct diet and exercise regiment in addition to medication.

Miles Davis is perhaps the most significant musician to date. Davis was born in 1926 from Alton, Illinois. He was best known for his jazz techniques and songwriting abilities. Davis was recording and performing literally all of his life. He began in 1945, recording with blues singer Rubberleg Williams. Davis has played and preformed with all of the greats in blues and jazz history. The instrument of choice was the trumpet; however he played others as well. Throughout musical history, various sounds from the 60s and on were influenced by the styles of Miles Davis. He has won various awards including “Grammy Awards”, “Down Beat reader’s poll” and “Sonning Award”. Davis was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. He was inducted into the Hollywood’s Rockwalk in 2006. Davis achieved a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1998. He is truly a master of his industry. Miles Davis died in 1991 from a pneumonia which turned into respiratory failure and stroke. He was 65 years old.

The jazz trumpeter had taken some rather unusual steps while trying to control his diabetes. At one point, Davis went to a rejuvenation clinic in Switzerland, where he got a shot of lamb serum.

Patti LaBelle was born Patricia Louise Holt in 1944. She is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her songwriting and R&B performances. LaBelle has been the founder of two musical groups, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and Labelle. She has had such hit songs as “Take Me for a Little While”, “Lady Marmalade” and “Where Love Begins”. LaBelle is mostly known for her unique singing styles but she has been in various films and talk show appearances. Patti LaBelle, at the age of 64, is still going strong in the music industry.

LaBelle has been struggling with diabetes since 1995. She passed out on stage in 1990. Later a physician spoke with her and asked, “Did you know that you were a diabetic?” Since she has been diagnosed with diabetes, LaBelle has been a spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association. Her work with this disease did not stop there. She has written two cookbooks for the diabetic community as well as participated in advertisements for the One-Touch Ultra blood sugar tester machines.

Raymond Kroc was born in 1902 from Chicago, Illinois. Kroc never finished high school, he drove an ambulance during World War 1 and he played jazz after the war. However, most individual may remember Kroc as the man that bought the first MacDonald’s restaurant. Kroc being a successful businessman approached the McDonald’s brothers with an offer they could not refuse. The brothers agreed to sell the name and the business to Kroc as long as he kept of the quality that they had worked hard to produce. In 1955, the first McDonald’s chain began in Illinois. Raymond Kroc died in 1984, a few days before his franchise sold its 50th billion hamburger.

Kroc launched the Kroc Foundation in 1969 to assist in research for diabetes, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The Ronald McDonald house was created for families of children to have a place to stay during hospital visits. Kroc stood for families, community and a helping hand. He felt that the community should be thanked for their support.

Sugar Ray Robinson was born Walker Smith Jr. in 1921, a native of Ailey, Georgia. He was dubbed by many as the greatest boxer of all times. Robinson started his career in 1940. He has preformed in several divisions including Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight as well as Light Heavyweight. He has fought some of the greatest boxers in American history such as Henry Armstrong, Tommy Bell and Gene Fullmer. In his career he has won countless matches and awards. Robinson retired in 1965 and was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame 2 years later. Sugar Ray Robinson died in 1989 from Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. He was 68 years old.

Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes later in his life. He was treated with insulin injections. Complications from diabetes interrupted his life. Robinson’s blood pressure spiked on the night before his mother’s death, and so he was unable to attend her funeral.