Famous Myasthenics

Note:  Some of the links below do not work.   The online material for these people seems to be a moving target.  If anyone would like to look for current links to update these it would be appreciated.  Please forward any updated links to:  stan_way@yahoo.com

This page last updated 06/12/2007

The following is a list of famous personalities who are known or believed to have myasthenia gravis. If you know of anymore please pass them along so they can be added.

• John Spencer (1936-2006), famous snooker player who twice won the world championship (in 1969 and 1977).  Born in Radcliffe, Lancashire he was first introduced to snooker at the age of 14 by his father.   He was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 1985.   He worked as a BBC Television summariser and was, from 1990 to 1996, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
• Leland Brewsaugh (1935-2003), famous U.S. sculptor, designer, and painter.  His artwork can be found at http://brewsaughgallery.com/.   Brewsaugh's elaborate carvings can be found in private collections around the world including the White House.
• Roque Carbajo Reyna (1936-1996), famous Mexican musician and songwriter.  His mariachi band traveled all over Europe and played at Grace Kelley's wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco.   [Note:  The website link is to his son's website.]
• Wilma Mankiller, former Chief of the Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma, U.S.A.)
• Harold P. "Chuck" Klein (California, U.S.A.)
• Amitabh Bachchan, the well known Indian actor, public figure.
• Leonas Letas the well known Lithuanian poet (1924-1998) recognized in this page of Lithuanian Poets and a memorial page by his son.
• Henrique da Costa Mecking (Mequinho) in Brazil.  Mr. Mecking won the Brazilian chess championship at age 13 in 1965 and later went on to word numerous other Brazilian, South American and international championships.  A website documenting chess in Brazil (in Portuguese) includes some background on Mr. Mecking's accomplishments.
• Linda Darnell (1921-1965), famous Hollywood actress who starred in more than 30 Fox films.
• Heine Toerien, famous radio personality in South Africa and first Chairman of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of South Africa.
• David Niven (now deceased), famous actor and writer.
• The late Aristotle Onassis - Greek business tycoon and husband of Jacquiline Bouvier Kennedy
• Roger Smith - husband of the movie actress Ann-Margret (U.S.A.)
• Lamar Lundy - formerly a football player with the Los Angeles Rams (California, U.S.A.)
• Rondell Jones. He is a defensive back who plays for the Denver Broncos (Colorado, U.S.A.)
• Hjalmar Gullberg the former poet laureate of Sweden. His poetry often describes his symptoms of MG.
• Doris Lilly, (1922-1991) author of "How to Marry a Millionaire" and a book on Aristotle Onassis called "Those Famous Greeks." She was also a society and gossip columnist for the New York Post (U.S.A.)
• Suzanne Rodgers, actress in "Days of Our Lives" soap opera (U.S.A.). Ms. Rogers is approaching her 27th anniversary on the soap opera as the character "Maggie Horton " who also has myasthenia gravis. Another page with Ms. Rogers.  Several photos (note: copyrighted) Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers): 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
• Sir Peter Wright - formerly director of the Royal Birmingham Ballet - now a Vice-President of the Myasthenia Gravis Association in the U.K.
• The late Lord (Sir Lawrence) Olivier - world famous actor and film star - then director of the British National Theatre.
• John Spencer - formerly World Snooker Champion - now active in the MGA in the U.K.
• Amitabh Bacchan, the leading personality of the Indian Celluloid Screens. (India)
• The late Phil Silvers (actor - Sgt. Bilko) (U.S.A.)
• Noah Deitrich, right hand man for Howard Hughes.
• Weeb Ewbank (former coach of the NY Jets and Baltimore Colts) (U.S.A.)
• Lucianno Pavorotti's (the famous singer) daughter has MG (Italy)
• "Sleepy" (©Disney) of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - reportedly modeled after a friend of Walt Disney who had MG. Note the drooping eyelids. (Hollywood, U.S.A.)

If you know of additional famous personalities please drop a note.

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