Famous People with Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disease that knows no race, class, age or gender. Narcolepsy doesn’t differentiate between popular people and obscure people, meaning famous people can be victims of this sleep disorder just as easily as Joe Bob Smith down the block. Throughout history there have been several cases of famous people living with narcolepsy, with even more speculated cases.

For those who do not already know, narcolepsy is a sleep disorders the affects an estimated three million people worldwide. It causes people to feel extremely tired, especially when their attention is required on a specific subject. More times than not, this extreme tiredness leads to episodes of uncontrollable sleeping, which in turn can lead to embarrassing situations, injuries, and in worst case scenarios, death.

The main symptoms of narcolepsy are extreme daytime sleepiness (E.D.S.), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. A few secondary symptoms of narcolepsy are forgetfulness, insomnia, sleepwalking, and depression. People with narcolepsy very rarely have all of the symptoms associated with this disorder, but it can never be ruled as impossibility.

A Closer Look at the Symptoms of Narcolepsy

EDS- this is really the defining symptom of narcolepsy. Patients who suffer from EDS are not lazy, nor do they sleep more than a person with a healthy sleep cycle. Their nighttime sleep is polluted by insomnia or any sleep disorder that interrupts REM sleep, such as sleep paralysis, apnea, etc. As a result, their bodies try to make up for the loss during day. The patient is not given a choice, either. The desire to sleep is so strong it is a compulsion.
Cataplexy- Cataplexy is experienced by seventy percent of patients with narcoplexy. During a cataplectic episode, a patient temporarily loses muscle tone and control. This can be a minor event, like a slackening of part of the face. It can be so minor; it goes unnoticed, especially since it can be short- mere seconds. It can also be severe. A Cataplectic episode can last for over an hour and can result in total collapse. Cataplexy is triggered by extreme emotions and is experienced while the subject is completely alert and awake.
Sleep Paralysis- the third symptom is not exclusive to narcolepsy. A large number of people have reported an episode of sleep paralysis once or twice in a lifetime. About thirty percent of narcolepsy patients experience this phenomenon regularly. Sleep paralysis is sometimes accompanied by hallucinations that can seem surreal and dark. These hallucinations are experienced during the twilight while falling asleep or waking.

Famous People and Celebrities with Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is not fun for the people that have to live with its symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that people with narcolepsy can’t have meaningful and prosperous lives. For some, it is all they can do to live on a daily basis. For others, it is a mere stone they must step over in order to achieve greatness.

Famous people and narcolepsy are not two things that are normally paired together when speaking or writing. It just doesn’t seem to make sense, but this just goes to show how anyone can be diagnosed as narcoleptic. Here we will discuss some famous people with narcolepsy disorder, including movie stars, and politicians who have lived with narcolepsy and became iconic.

Jimmy Kimmel is an American comedian and talk show host that was diagnosed with narcolepsy a few years ago. His best known work is from The Man Show and Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! He said that he was having trouble staying awake during filming, so he began to drink gallons of tea on a daily basis to try to combat the fatigue. He has been known to fall asleep during normal working hours, prompting his doctor visit, which resulted in his narcolepsy diagnosis. He was prescribed Provigil, which he takes once a day to help control his mild narcolepsy.
Natassja Kinski is a German-born actress who has starred in over sixty films throughout her career. She won the Golden Globe Award for her role in the Roman Polanski film “Tess”. She was known the world over as a sex symbol in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was diagnosed with narcolepsy, although the exact extent of her condition has been kept from the public eye.
Harold M. Ickes is an American Democratic politician who has had a lengthy career, serving as White House Deputy Chief of Staff during the Bill Clinton Administration and being involved in other presidential campaigns. He also served as an advisor during David Dinkins’ campaign for the mayor of New York City. He has been known to have trouble concentrating on the task at hand, whatever it may be, and has also been known to fall asleep at the office. He takes prescribed medication to help combat his narcolepsy.
Aaron Flahavan was an English football (soccer) player who suffered from frequent blackouts that was believed to be attributed to narcolepsy. In 2001 he lost his life in an automobile accident, which police said was a result of his narcolepsy. This was later ruled out; as the autopsy confirmed that his blood alcohol level was over the normal limit.
Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister during World War 2 who had a well-loved personality. He had narcolepsy stemming from long periods of irregular sleep.
Nicole Jeray is a professional golfer who suffers from acute narcolepsy. Her battle with this chronic sleep disorder is probably the best known story in the circles of narcolepsy and famous people. She was diagnosed in 1993 after being pulled over by police for erratic driving. She had fallen asleep at movies, parties and any other place she tried to experience a fun time. The excitement of golf is a big trigger for her, and she is often forced into sudden periods of sleep during a game. With her case of narcolepsy, her emotions play a major role, as too much drama can cause an acute sleep attack.
Teresa Nielson Hayden is an American essayist and science fiction writer/editor who has been nominated for five Hugo Awards. Her fight against narcolepsy is well known in the literary world.

As stated earlier, anyone from any race or status can have narcolepsy disorder and famous people are not immune. Falling asleep during the filming of a movie or during an important sporting event can be crippling to a person’s career. Anyone who suffers with sleep disorders, narcolepsy and other ailments of this type and goes public with their condition deserves much praise for being brave enough to face their situation.

Harriet Tubman

When it comes to the fight for American civil rights, Harriet Tubman is much more than a woman; she is an institution, and she had Narcolepsy. Born in either 1819 or 1820 into a life of slavery, Tubman was an African-American abolitionist all her life at a harsh plantation in Maryland. Subject to cruel ownership, bitter working conditions, and painful punishments, this brave woman spent her entire life, as a slave, fighting for the equality of African-Americans and the abolishment of slavery.

At the age of twelve, Harriet received a brain injury that would affect her for the rest of her life. An attempt to help a fellow escape had gone awry, and the runaway slave was captured. Harriet refused to follow her overseer’s directions and tie up the escaping slave. Angry at her disobedience, the overseer delivered a harsh blow to the front of her head. The blow was so intense that she suffered a permanent indention in her forehead. The trauma Harriet received caused her to suffer from Narcolepsy and seizures; she later developed chronic headaches and suffered life-long as a result of the beating.

Harold Ickes

An accomplishment not many can claim, Harold Ickes is one of few politicians who is known for falling asleep on the job- in the White House! Campaign advisor to Davis Dinkins during his run for New York Mayor, Ickes was a respected and honored White House Deputy Chief of Staff during the presidential reign of Bill Clinton; Ickes also headed Clinton’s campaign during the presidential race in 2002. During Bill’s famous scandal, Ickes worked hard to help save the reputation of the Clinton family.

It is rumored that Harold Ickes, while a passionate politician and respectable man, suffered from the plagues of Narcolepsy. He would fall asleep at inappropriate times, very often while on the job. He was actually prescribed amphetamine medication to help him stay awake during the day like many Narcolepsy patients today. Ickes didn’t take the medication often because it would cause him to suffer from a new plague, Insomnia. Some people claim that many years of Narcolepsy, daytime sleepiness, and sudden naps, Harold Ickes had become much more defensive, and even displayed a few moments of public vulgarity.

Natassja Kinski

When you hear the name, Natassja Kinski, you don’t think of the word disorder; it should be the farthest thing from your mind. A disorder, however, is exactly what this German actress has. Natassja Kinski is one of the most famous narcoleptic sex symbols in the world. During the 1970s and 1980s, this gorgeous actress was a household name in Germany after starting her career as a model. Later, she turned her interests towards to the Silver Screen. Kinski even won a Golden Globe for her brilliant performance in “Tess”. Despite suffering from an unpredictable disorder like Narcolepsy, Kinski was able to appear in over sixty movies in her entertainment career. During an interview, Kinski even revealed that she avoids driving at night because she takes her Narcolepsy and the dangers associated with it seriously.

Jimmy Kimmel

James Christian “Jimmy” Kimmel is one of pop culture’s most popular famous people with Narcolepsy. Kimmel is one of comedy’s most celebrated comedians, and is most famous for hosting his late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC. In addition to hosting his talk show Kimmel also co-hosted The Man Show, and Win Ben Stein’s Money on Comedy Central. An accomplished producer, Kimmel has also produces famous shows like The Andy Milonakis Show, The Sports Show with Norm McDonald, and Crank Yankers.

Jimmy Kimmel is one of the most famous people in the media spotlight today who uses his platform to talk publicly about Narcolepsy. He has not been ashamed to share his personal struggle with the disorder with a public who may gain some help or comfort in his story. The comedian was diagnosed with the sleep disorder until his thirties. In an interview with Esquire, the hilarious host got up close and personal about the pains and pressures of Narcolepsy. He said, “You know how when you’re regular tired, your whole body is tired? With narcolepsy, just the inside of your head is tired. It’s like somebody’s gently sitting on your brain. You have almost no focus. All you’re thinking about is not falling asleep.”

Teresa Nielson Hayden

Born on March 21, 1956, Teresa Nielson Hayden would grow up to become on the most famous people with Narcolepsy to ever write literature. Hayden was raised in Arizona where she later became and managing and consulting editor to a company called Tor Books. The American essayist is famous for her work as a science fiction editor and fanzine writer. Teresa Nielson Hayden also manages her own weblog; the blog has become quite popular, and her entries cover a wide variety of topical and interesting material. Throughout her career, Hayden was nominated for five separate Hugo awards.

Hayden was open about her struggles with Narcolepsy and the disorder’s difficult side effects. Not many Narcolepsy patients are able to function adequately in the literary world, a world that requires stillness and focus, but Hayden proves that anything is possible. Hayden’s public acceptance of her sleep disorder, and her admittance of medicated treatment, inspired people all over the country to seek diagnosis and treatment.

Famous Fictional People with Narcolepsy Disorder

Tyler Durdern: The infamous main character of the novel Fight Club, Tyler Durden is a schizophrenic narcoleptic whose self-destructive hallucinations get him into a big heap of trouble. Edward Norton played his character in the movie co-starring Brad Pitt.

Argentinean: With a modernized stylistic revision of classic musical numbers, an artistic directing style, and an all-star cast, Moulin Rogue has easily become one of the most popular musicals of the last thirty years. In the film, there is an outlandish, eccentric Bohemian artist with Narcolepsy known only as, “the Argentinean Narcoleptic”. The hero’s involvement in the plot of the play becomes solidified when the unreliable narcoleptic foreigner cannot stay awake long enough to complete the show.