Category: 50 Celebrities With Diabetes

Thomas Edison was one of the most famous inventors in American history. He was born in 1847, a native of Milan, Ohio. Edison was credited with 1300 patented inventions, including the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and the motion picture camera. Edison was only in school for 3 months. His mother took him out and home schooled him the remainder of his years. Edison believed that mass-production was the best method to make profit for his inventions. By 1887, 121 Edison power stations delivered electricity to homes and businesses. He launched propaganda to the people that AC was dangerous to use and the DC that he produced was the more practical way to go. Thomas Edison died in 1931. He was 84 years old.

Edison was diagnosed with diabetes in his lifetime. He made an effort to control and maintain his disease with a healthy lifestyle. Edison did not drink and he did not eat meat.

Ty Cobb was born Tyrus Raymond Cobb in 1886. He was from Narrows, Georgia. Cobb is an all-star baseball icon. He was dubbed one of the best baseball stars in American history. His nickname was “The Georgia Peach”. Even though Cobb had type 1 diabetes, he played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted .320 or more for 23 consecutive seasons. Cobbs broke several all time records as well. As of 2007, there are still records that have been unbeatable. These include highest career batting average and most career batting titles. His style is still impressive to this day.

Various other baseball players have tried time and time again to beat the unbeatable. In 1939, Cobb was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobbs died in 1961 from cancer, complications of diabetes as well as heart disease. He was 75 years old.

Winnie Mandela was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela in 1936. She is a popular figure in her native Brizana, South Africa. Even though, it was difficult for a black woman to get an education during the apartheid, she accomplished his goal. Mandela received a degree in social work as well as a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She was forced to live for years on an island; she struggled with diabetes while in that state of isolation. Mandela was only allowed to return to visit her husband in prison. Mandela had problem with the law as well when she was convicted of fraud and theft. Later a judge over turned the theft charge leaving her with a fraud conviction and a 3 years suspended sentence.

Mandela has been the leader of the African National Congress’ Women’s League and is now a member of the African National Congress’ Nation Executive Committee. Winnie Mandela is currently 72 years old.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in 1948 from his native home town of London, England. He is a world famous musical composer. Lloyd Webber is most known for his musical genius through stage work. These include “Cats”, “Evita” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. He has obtained several awards for his performances including Academy Award, Tony Awards and a Grammy. The list of achievements is unlimited. Andrew Lloyd Webber is still composing at 60 years old.

When a young teen, Lloyd Webber did not let his friends know that he had diabetes. They in turn shared with him news articles that made mention of diabetes.

Spencer Tracy entered the world in 1900 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a brilliant stage and screen actor. In his career, he achieved several awards and nominations. Tracy appeared in over 70 films in his career and won two Academy awards. He was nominated for 9 Academy Awards as well. Tracy is remembered from such films as “Goldie”, “It’s a Small World”, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. Spencer Tracy died in 1967 of a heart attack. He was 67 years old.

Tracy has had various health problems through his life including diabetes. Nevertheless, he was always supporting other actors and actresses with their illnesses. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn stayed at the bedside of the dying Humphrey Bogart.

Anne Rice‘s birth name is unusual. She was born Howard Allen O’Brien. The date of birth is 1941 and she is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her birth name was given to her by her mother. This was because her father was named Howard and she thought it was a strong name that would give her an advantage in the world. She later adopted the name Anne in first grade. Rice is known for her vampire tales. She has sold more than 100 million copies of her books. They are still to this day selling like hot cakes. Rice is famous for her books including “Interview with the Vampire”, “The Witching Hour” and “Blackwood Farm”. Anne Rice is 67 years old.

Rice experienced many symptoms that she could not explain. These included a writer’s block, indigestion after every meal and weight loss. Rice ignored the symptoms and continued to work as normal. In 1998, Rice went into a coma. Doctors found that she had a blood sugar level of 800. Rice then joined the other celebrities who had been diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes. After this episode, she began speaking out for the awareness of diabetes.

 was born in 1882, a native from New York, New York. Many people may not recognize the name. Nevertheless, he was the Mayor of New York City during the depression era for 3 consecutive terms from 1934 to 1945. He increased the number of welfare agencies in the city. LaGuardia pushed for an airport in New York City. Many individuals may recognize the last name of LaGuardia from the international airport in New York City.

LaGuardia has an impressive history of being in the political spotlight. He has been a Representative, Deputy Attorney General and Congressman. He also served in the air force during World War 1. Fiorello LaGuardia died in 1947 of pancreatic cancer. He was 65 years old.

Fiorello LaGuardia

Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky in 1894. He was a native of Chicago, Illinois. Benny was a successful comedian, TV, stage and radio actor. He became a nation icon with a radio program called the Jack Benny show. Benny was a character actor. He was famous for his personality and the method in which he represented himself. Benny had various variety shows that situated sketched comedy. He invited many guests to his shows including Jimmy Stewart, George Burns and Orson Wells. His performances are still talked about to this day. Benny was a genius comedian and is missed by his friends and fans alike. Jack Benny died in 1974 of pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

Benny had juvenile diabetes. He lived with this disease for his whole life. Benny never used his public voice to speak-out about diabetes.

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.”