These Celebrities Thrive Despite Their Crohn’s Disease Diagnosis

Hearing the doctor say you have Crohn’s disease can be frightening, but it doesn’t mean you can’t live a full and happy life. People with Crohn’s disease have gone on to become famous journalists, athletes, musicians, and more— and so can you.

Check out the famous faces of Crohn’s disease who are living their lives to the fullest, all the while inspiring others to do the same…

Cynthia McFadden

When ABC News correspondent Cynthia McFadden was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in college, her friends nicknamed her illness “George.” She told People magazine in 1994, “They weren’t going to say, ‘Did you have 15 diarrhea attacks today?’ So, instead, they’d ask me, ‘How’s George?'” Since the journalist had 15 feet of intestine removed in 1979, “George” has remained mostly in remission.  McFadden inspires many others and raises awareness in partnership with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

Frank Fritz

Frank Fritz spends a lot of time on the road filming for his History Channel show American Pickers. The history buff refuses to let his lifelong battle with Crohn’s hold him back from doing what he loves. He told one interviewer, “Crohn’s is like a duck. Ducks look calm, floating quietly on the surface of the water, but underneath they are paddling like crazy. It’s the same for people with Crohn’s— on the outside you can’t really tell, but I’m working really hard to stay in control as much as I can.” 

Mike McCready

Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist Mike McCready serves as another inspirational reminder that people with Crohn’s disease can continue chasing their dreams and should never feel ashamed of their diagnosis. He once explained, “I went public with my condition to show people that despite the disease, you can still have a life and career.”

Carrie Johnson

Kayaker Carrie Johnson was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 19 years old, but she didn’t let that stop her from achieving her dreams of paddling in the Olympics. When one interviewer asked if she had any advice for others with Crohn’s, she responded, “I want people to know that they are not alone. Crohn’s is something you are more than capable of living with. It’s not something that’s going to stop you from fulfilling your goals and living your life to the fullest.”

Beth Orton

Singer-songwriter Beth Orton was 17 years old when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. In 2012, at the age of 41, the British star reported that she was no longer suffering from the disease, though it has continued to shape her commitment to a healthy lifestyle. She told one interviewer, “[My family and I] don’t often have dairy products, but sometimes at weekends, as a special treat, we’ll have pancakes. I don’t suffer [from Crohn’s disease] at all any more. I’ve eaten myself well— but I choose to eat healthily.”

Anastacia

Singer, songwriter, and dancer Anastacia has battled Crohn’s disease since she was just 13 years old and sees no reason to be ashamed of her diagnosis. She once explained, “What is seen as a curse for some is a gift for me because it has helped me to discover who I really am as a person.” She went on to say, “I think I got it so young that I incorporated it into my way of living, enabling me to become stronger.”

Al Geiberger

Professional golfer Al Geiberger understands the power celebrities with Crohn’s have to inspire others to chase after their dreams. One of his own role models was Rolf Benirschke, a football player with Crohn’s. He once said, “I saw him and said, ‘If he can go play football, then I can play golf.'” Despite having part of his colon surgically removed in 1980, Geiberger went on to win 11 PGA tour events in his career and started the Mr. 59 tournament to raise money for CCFA.

David Garrard

David Garrard was the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars when Crohn’s disease first reared its ugly head, causing him to suffer from severe stomachaches. In 2004, the athlete had 12 inches of his intestine removed, but he didn’t count himself out of the game that easily. Doctors put him on a special treatment plan to get him ready to return to the field once more. Garrard is eager to encourage others battling Crohn’s and serves as the face of CCFA’s campaign, In the Zone for Crohn’s.

Mary Ann Mobley

When Mary Ann Mobley was crowned Miss America in 1959, she had no idea that she would be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in just three short years. In 1994, she told one interviewer, “It is a dreadful disease for the fact that it affects so many people emotionally.” Despite the physical and emotional struggles the former beauty queen faced, she went on to give birth to a daughter before going into remission.

Shannen Doherty

Some people cope with a Crohn’s diagnosis by becoming vocal advocates while others prefer a bit more privacy, and celebrities are no different. Although Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty revealed her diagnosis in 1999, she opted to keep the details of her journey to herself. It’s no secret, however, that the star didn’t let Crohn’s hold her back. She has continued to work as an actress, producer, and director.

James Morrison

When British golfer James Morrison was competing in the 2011 French Open, a Crohn’s flare-up put him in the hospital— but it didn’t take him out of the game. The inspirational athlete returned to the green to finish the competition. His strength serves as a reminder to others facing their own battle with intestinal disease that flare-ups may come, but they don’t have to keep anyone down forever.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

People with Crohn’s disease can grow up to be whoever they want to be—even the president of the United States. Just take Dwight D. Eisenhower for example. Despite undergoing surgery for his Crohn’s only six months before his reelection bid, the 34th president won a second term and continued to lead his country proudly.

Theoren Fleury

Former pro hockey player Theoren Fleury was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 1996, in the middle of his professional career as an athlete. He committed himself to learning how to manage his symptoms while traveling with the team, explaining, “When you live in a hotel and travel from place to place, keeping a close eye on what you eat and always remembering to take your medication is a hard task. But Crohn’s disease is something that I have to come to terms with and have adjusted my lifestyle accordingly.”

Dynamo

Steven Frayne, a magician better known as Dynamo, is another celebrity who is learning how to manage Crohn’s while traveling for his career. While on tour earlier this year, he told one reporter, “I live with [Crohn’s disease], and there are ways of dealing with it, and although it’s been especially tricky on the tour, I am managing it.” He’s an inspirational (and entertaining) reminder that people with Crohn’s can do anything— even walk on water and vanish at will, apparently!

Jeffrey Brown

When cartoonist Jeffrey Brown wanted to share his story of living with Crohn’s disease, he did what many people do when telling their life story— he wrote a memoir. Of course, this wasn’t just any memoir, but a graphic novel titled Funny Misshapen Body. The book is filled with cartoons detailing his adolescence as he learned to manage his disease.

George “The Animal” Steele

George “The Animal” Steele was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995, after many years of grappling with opponents— and Crohn’s disease. The professional wrestler was first diagnosed in 1988, but found lasting relief when parts of his colon were surgically removed in 2002.

Thomas Menino

One minute Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was enjoying peanuts at a Red Sox game, and the next he was sitting in the hospital with severe stomach pain. It wasn’t the first time the politician had experienced intestinal issues, but it was the first time that doctors were able to put a name to his symptoms— Crohn’s disease. Menino wasn’t about to let the diagnosis keep him from serving the people of Boston, however. He was re-elected for a fifth term in 2009.

Ben Morrison

You may have heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. Well, stand-up comedian and actor Ben Morrison is living proof. His hilarious show Pain in the Butt is full of jokes inspired by his battle with Crohn’s disease, which began his senior year of high school. His comedic routine explores “the lighter side of Crohn’s disease” and gives others with the diagnosis a perfect excuse to double over in laughter rather than pain.

James Powderly

James Powderly is an artist, activist, designer, and engineer who is living with Crohn’s disease. Despite his diagnosis, the American has won international acclaim for his work building robots and creating tools for graffiti artists and political activists, which has even been featured in the Museum of Modern Art.

Kevin Dineen

When famous hockey player Kevin Dineen was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, he says it was “a real eye-opening experience.” He told one interviewer, “This is a chronic, debilitating disease that’s with you for life. It took me a couple of years to come to grips with that.” Once he did, however, there was no stopping him. The Canadian played in the National Hockey League for 19 years and now coaches the Florida Panthers.