































See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
Rob McElhenney
- Rob McElhenney, the creator of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," revealed that he received multiple diagnoses at the age of 46. Taking to Twitter, McElhenney posted, “I was recently diagnosed with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities! At 46!” He continued, “It’s not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. You’re not stupid. You’re not “bad”. It might feel that way sometimes. But it’s not true :).”
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
Greta Gerwig
- Greta Gerwig, the director of "Barbie," revealed that she received an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. During an interview with the Guardian, Gerwig discussed how her parents struggled with her high energy levels when she was a child. In an attempt to manage her energy, they enrolled her in numerous activities. "(At school I) had a ton of energy. But as a kid, my mum was like: ‘Let’s sign her up for every activity. Let’s tire her out.’ I’ve always had a tremendous amount of enthusiasm," Gerwig said. "I was just interested in, like, everything. I had a really active imagination. I had a lot of really deep feelings. I was emotional.” Fortunately, this energy and passion served Gerwig well, as she transitioned from a successful acting career to an even more prosperous directing career. Her films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women" have garnered critical acclaim and further established her presence in the industry.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Patrick Demsey
- The actor known for his role in 'Grey's Anatomy' was enrolled in a class for children with intellectual disabilities until the age of 12. It was during this time that he realized he had dyslexia. Dempsey believes that his experience in special education, where he would entertain his fellow students, played a significant role in igniting his love for acting.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Daniel Radcliffe
- The actor who played a role in the popular 'Harry Potter' movies has a mild form of dyspraxia. This condition affects his motor planning skills, causing him difficulties in tying his shoelaces. In a recent interview, he joked, "I sometimes think, Why, oh why, has Velcro not taken off?"
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
Cher
- Cher experienced significant challenges in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia and reported dyscalculia. Teachers mistakenly believed that she was not reaching her full potential. Cher shared, "Almost everything I learned, I had to learn by listening," she explained. Nevertheless, she has come a long way!
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Michael Phelps
- The renowned Olympic swimmer faced criticism from his teachers due to his struggle to stay seated. He received an ADHD diagnosis during his fifth grade and took Ritalin for a span of two years. Eventually, he opted to discontinue the medication, finding solace in swimming instead. Undoubtedly, this choice proved to be beneficial.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
Robbie Williams
- Robbie Williams, the singer behind the popular song 'Let Me Entertain You', revealed that he struggles with dyscalculia, a condition he described as "numerical dyslexia". During an appearance on the 'Three Little Words' podcast, he confessed, "I always get in trouble because I don't know my kids' birth dates and I don't know our anniversary and I don't know my wife's birthday ... I can't even remember our house in Los Angeles. It has four digits for the start of the address and I can't ever remember what those digits are."
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
Jay Leno
- The talk show host's way of thinking about achieving success was influenced by his dyslexia. "If you don't think you're the smartest person in the room and you think you're going to have to work a little harder, and put a little more time into it to get what everybody else does, you can actually do quite well," he said. "And that's been my approach."
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Justin Timberlake
- In 2008, the singer disclosed having ADHD and OCD, stating, "You try living with that." Remarkably, he has managed quite successfully!
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
Vince Vaughn
- During his childhood, Vince Vaughn adopted a defiant attitude towards his schoolwork due to feeling self-conscious about his difficulties in finishing it. Subsequently, he received official diagnoses of ADHD and dyslexia. However, his father opposed the idea of medicating despite the doctor's advice. This circumstance led Vaughn to cultivate a strong work ethic, as he had to put in extra effort to overcome his challenges.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
Mary Tyler Moore
- According to her autobiography, the actress faced bullying during her school years due to her difficulties in math, resulting in her seeking solace in dancing. This passion ultimately paved the way for her successful television career. However, it wasn't until she reached her fifties that Moore finally uncovered the reason behind her struggles: dyscalculia.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
Woody Harrelson
- The well-known actor, known for his roles in 'Cheers' and 'White Men Can't Jump' was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia during childhood.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
Orlando Bloom
- The actor's dyslexia diagnosis came at the tender age of seven. Despite experiencing difficulties with reading, he claimed that his dyslexia became the catalyst for his passion for the stage. He even credits it with his learning process "everything forward and backward, inside out, so I was fully prepared."
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
Steven Spielberg
- The legendary director was once a young boy who was bullied for learning to read two years after all his classmates. And it was only at age 60 that Spielberg was formally diagnosed with dyslexia! He shared his words of wisdom for young students: "While you will have dyslexia for the rest of your life, you can dart between the raindrops to get where you want to go. It will not hold you back."
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
Whoopi Goldberg
- The actress and TV host became aware of a concerning trend during her childhood when others referred to her as "dumb." In a 2004 interview, she recalled, "I knew I wasn't stupid, and I knew I wasn't dumb. My mother told me that." Later in life, Goldberg discovered that she has dyslexia.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
Mark Ruffalo
- As a child, the 'Hulk' actor faced challenges with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia for many years.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
Channing Tatum
- The renowned actor faced considerable challenges during his school years and was placed "in classes with kids with autism and Down syndrome." Subsequently, he discovered that his poor performance in school was due to both ADHD and dyslexia.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
Salma Hayek
- Despite facing doubts about her potential in Hollywood due to her age and nationality, the actress's teenage dyslexia diagnosis taught her how to surpass people's expectations and succeed.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
Jim Carrey
- The actor has openly discussed his challenges with ADHD and dyslexia, sharing that these difficulties contributed to behavioral problems during his childhood. He also mentioned that receiving treatment, including medication, has aided him in channeling his energy towards comedy.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
Anderson Cooper
- The famous TV host faced challenges with mild dyslexia from a young age. He acknowledges his school for identifying the issue early, allowing him to access the necessary support.
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
Tom Cruise
- The renowned actor was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was seven years old and was placed in special classes to help him. However, even in high school, his reading abilities remained limited. He referred to himself as a "functional illiterate," yet he found success in working with film scripts.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Adam Levine
- The lead singer of Maroon 5 shared his personal encounter with learning disabilities, stating, "I struggled with ADHD… It was hard for me to sit down, focus, and get the schoolwork done … Remember that you are not alone."
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
Jennifer Aniston
- The performer is now widely recognized, but prior to her early twenties, she was consistently belittled due to not being diagnosed with dyslexia.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
Keanu Reeves
- Keanu Reeves' dyslexia may have led him to leave high school without graduating, but it also propelled his acting career. In an interview with Handbag magazine, he shared, "I did a lot of pretending as a child," he told Handbag magazine. "It was my way of coping with the fact that I didn't really feel like I fit in."
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
Henry Winkler
- Henry Winkler, famous for his role as "The Fonz" in 'Happy Days,' discovered his dyslexia at the age of 31. Before this, he had never read a book. People labeling him as "lazy" and "stupid" left a lasting impact, even though he was putting in his best effort. Additionally, he struggled with dyscalculia, a lesser-known learning disorder that affected his math abilities. However, Winkler has now become an advocate for individuals facing learning disorders.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Howie Mandel
- The television presenter became aware of his ADHD and OCD when he reached his forties, despite dealing with these conditions throughout his entire life. He faced challenges both at home and in school, resulting in him not obtaining a high-school diploma. Fortunately, he discovered a suitable role on 'Deal or No Deal,' where he the hosting format aligned well with his symptoms.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Keira Knightley
- The actress was fortunate to have been diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of six. However, her mother made it clear that she could only pursue acting if she made a commitment to read daily and maintain good grades. Knightley revealed, "I drove myself into the ground trying to get over dyslexia," Knightley said. "When I finished school I had the top grades."
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Tommy Hilfiger
- As a young boy, the renowned designer faced constant judgments about his intelligence due to his dyslexia. This experience led him to forgo higher education. Hilfiger now attributes his unconventional path to his remarkable triumph, as it allowed him to perceive things differently from fellow designers. He values his unique perspective as a key factor in his immense success.
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Christopher Knight
- Christopher Knight, famous as Peter from 'The Brady Bunch,' faced difficulties with concentration and speech pace. It was not until his late thirties that he received a formal ADHD diagnosis and started seeking treatment.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Octavia Spencer
- The skilled actress previously felt "paralyzed with fear" when it came to reading aloud in class because of her dyslexia. She now strongly believes that having a learning disability "doesn't really mean that you're not intelligent—it just means that your brain functions differently."
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Ty Pennington
- The television presenter describes himself as being "About as ADHD as you can get." He shared that during his school days, he would often be found in the hallway or in detention. However, things changed for him when he received an official diagnosis while in college. After being prescribed medication, he noticed a significant improvement in his academic performance. Sources: (Special Education Degree) (Great Schools) (Understood)
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
Rob McElhenney
- Rob McElhenney, the creator of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," revealed that he received multiple diagnoses at the age of 46. Taking to Twitter, McElhenney posted, “I was recently diagnosed with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities! At 46!” He continued, “It’s not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. You’re not stupid. You’re not “bad”. It might feel that way sometimes. But it’s not true :).”
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
Greta Gerwig
- Greta Gerwig, the director of "Barbie," revealed that she received an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. During an interview with the Guardian, Gerwig discussed how her parents struggled with her high energy levels when she was a child. In an attempt to manage her energy, they enrolled her in numerous activities. "(At school I) had a ton of energy. But as a kid, my mum was like: ‘Let’s sign her up for every activity. Let’s tire her out.’ I’ve always had a tremendous amount of enthusiasm," Gerwig said. "I was just interested in, like, everything. I had a really active imagination. I had a lot of really deep feelings. I was emotional.” Fortunately, this energy and passion served Gerwig well, as she transitioned from a successful acting career to an even more prosperous directing career. Her films "Lady Bird" and "Little Women" have garnered critical acclaim and further established her presence in the industry.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Patrick Demsey
- The actor known for his role in 'Grey's Anatomy' was enrolled in a class for children with intellectual disabilities until the age of 12. It was during this time that he realized he had dyslexia. Dempsey believes that his experience in special education, where he would entertain his fellow students, played a significant role in igniting his love for acting.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Daniel Radcliffe
- The actor who played a role in the popular 'Harry Potter' movies has a mild form of dyspraxia. This condition affects his motor planning skills, causing him difficulties in tying his shoelaces. In a recent interview, he joked, "I sometimes think, Why, oh why, has Velcro not taken off?"
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
Cher
- Cher experienced significant challenges in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia and reported dyscalculia. Teachers mistakenly believed that she was not reaching her full potential. Cher shared, "Almost everything I learned, I had to learn by listening," she explained. Nevertheless, she has come a long way!
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Michael Phelps
- The renowned Olympic swimmer faced criticism from his teachers due to his struggle to stay seated. He received an ADHD diagnosis during his fifth grade and took Ritalin for a span of two years. Eventually, he opted to discontinue the medication, finding solace in swimming instead. Undoubtedly, this choice proved to be beneficial.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
Robbie Williams
- Robbie Williams, the singer behind the popular song 'Let Me Entertain You', revealed that he struggles with dyscalculia, a condition he described as "numerical dyslexia". During an appearance on the 'Three Little Words' podcast, he confessed, "I always get in trouble because I don't know my kids' birth dates and I don't know our anniversary and I don't know my wife's birthday ... I can't even remember our house in Los Angeles. It has four digits for the start of the address and I can't ever remember what those digits are."
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
Jay Leno
- The talk show host's way of thinking about achieving success was influenced by his dyslexia. "If you don't think you're the smartest person in the room and you think you're going to have to work a little harder, and put a little more time into it to get what everybody else does, you can actually do quite well," he said. "And that's been my approach."
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Justin Timberlake
- In 2008, the singer disclosed having ADHD and OCD, stating, "You try living with that." Remarkably, he has managed quite successfully!
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
Vince Vaughn
- During his childhood, Vince Vaughn adopted a defiant attitude towards his schoolwork due to feeling self-conscious about his difficulties in finishing it. Subsequently, he received official diagnoses of ADHD and dyslexia. However, his father opposed the idea of medicating despite the doctor's advice. This circumstance led Vaughn to cultivate a strong work ethic, as he had to put in extra effort to overcome his challenges.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
Mary Tyler Moore
- According to her autobiography, the actress faced bullying during her school years due to her difficulties in math, resulting in her seeking solace in dancing. This passion ultimately paved the way for her successful television career. However, it wasn't until she reached her fifties that Moore finally uncovered the reason behind her struggles: dyscalculia.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
Woody Harrelson
- The well-known actor, known for his roles in 'Cheers' and 'White Men Can't Jump' was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia during childhood.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
Orlando Bloom
- The actor's dyslexia diagnosis came at the tender age of seven. Despite experiencing difficulties with reading, he claimed that his dyslexia became the catalyst for his passion for the stage. He even credits it with his learning process "everything forward and backward, inside out, so I was fully prepared."
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
Steven Spielberg
- The legendary director was once a young boy who was bullied for learning to read two years after all his classmates. And it was only at age 60 that Spielberg was formally diagnosed with dyslexia! He shared his words of wisdom for young students: "While you will have dyslexia for the rest of your life, you can dart between the raindrops to get where you want to go. It will not hold you back."
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
Whoopi Goldberg
- The actress and TV host became aware of a concerning trend during her childhood when others referred to her as "dumb." In a 2004 interview, she recalled, "I knew I wasn't stupid, and I knew I wasn't dumb. My mother told me that." Later in life, Goldberg discovered that she has dyslexia.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
Mark Ruffalo
- As a child, the 'Hulk' actor faced challenges with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia for many years.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
Channing Tatum
- The renowned actor faced considerable challenges during his school years and was placed "in classes with kids with autism and Down syndrome." Subsequently, he discovered that his poor performance in school was due to both ADHD and dyslexia.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
Salma Hayek
- Despite facing doubts about her potential in Hollywood due to her age and nationality, the actress's teenage dyslexia diagnosis taught her how to surpass people's expectations and succeed.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
Jim Carrey
- The actor has openly discussed his challenges with ADHD and dyslexia, sharing that these difficulties contributed to behavioral problems during his childhood. He also mentioned that receiving treatment, including medication, has aided him in channeling his energy towards comedy.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
Anderson Cooper
- The famous TV host faced challenges with mild dyslexia from a young age. He acknowledges his school for identifying the issue early, allowing him to access the necessary support.
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
Tom Cruise
- The renowned actor was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was seven years old and was placed in special classes to help him. However, even in high school, his reading abilities remained limited. He referred to himself as a "functional illiterate," yet he found success in working with film scripts.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Adam Levine
- The lead singer of Maroon 5 shared his personal encounter with learning disabilities, stating, "I struggled with ADHD… It was hard for me to sit down, focus, and get the schoolwork done … Remember that you are not alone."
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
Jennifer Aniston
- The performer is now widely recognized, but prior to her early twenties, she was consistently belittled due to not being diagnosed with dyslexia.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
Keanu Reeves
- Keanu Reeves' dyslexia may have led him to leave high school without graduating, but it also propelled his acting career. In an interview with Handbag magazine, he shared, "I did a lot of pretending as a child," he told Handbag magazine. "It was my way of coping with the fact that I didn't really feel like I fit in."
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
Henry Winkler
- Henry Winkler, famous for his role as "The Fonz" in 'Happy Days,' discovered his dyslexia at the age of 31. Before this, he had never read a book. People labeling him as "lazy" and "stupid" left a lasting impact, even though he was putting in his best effort. Additionally, he struggled with dyscalculia, a lesser-known learning disorder that affected his math abilities. However, Winkler has now become an advocate for individuals facing learning disorders.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Howie Mandel
- The television presenter became aware of his ADHD and OCD when he reached his forties, despite dealing with these conditions throughout his entire life. He faced challenges both at home and in school, resulting in him not obtaining a high-school diploma. Fortunately, he discovered a suitable role on 'Deal or No Deal,' where he the hosting format aligned well with his symptoms.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Keira Knightley
- The actress was fortunate to have been diagnosed with dyslexia at the young age of six. However, her mother made it clear that she could only pursue acting if she made a commitment to read daily and maintain good grades. Knightley revealed, "I drove myself into the ground trying to get over dyslexia," Knightley said. "When I finished school I had the top grades."
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Tommy Hilfiger
- As a young boy, the renowned designer faced constant judgments about his intelligence due to his dyslexia. This experience led him to forgo higher education. Hilfiger now attributes his unconventional path to his remarkable triumph, as it allowed him to perceive things differently from fellow designers. He values his unique perspective as a key factor in his immense success.
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Christopher Knight
- Christopher Knight, famous as Peter from 'The Brady Bunch,' faced difficulties with concentration and speech pace. It was not until his late thirties that he received a formal ADHD diagnosis and started seeking treatment.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Octavia Spencer
- The skilled actress previously felt "paralyzed with fear" when it came to reading aloud in class because of her dyslexia. She now strongly believes that having a learning disability "doesn't really mean that you're not intelligent—it just means that your brain functions differently."
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Ty Pennington
- The television presenter describes himself as being "About as ADHD as you can get." He shared that during his school days, he would often be found in the hallway or in detention. However, things changed for him when he received an official diagnosis while in college. After being prescribed medication, he noticed a significant improvement in his academic performance. Sources: (Special Education Degree) (Great Schools) (Understood)
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
Famous people with learning disorders
Disorders like dyslexia and ADHD are common in Hollywood
© Getty Images
When we think of learning disorders, dyslexia is the first one that comes to mind. It's a condition that affects the brain's language processing areas and makes reading and connecting speech sounds to letters and words challenging. Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder, but there are several others worth mentioning, such as dyscalculia, which involves difficulties in understanding arithmetic. Additionally, there is dyspraxia, a neurological disorder that affects one's ability to plan and execute motor tasks, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can result in excessive levels of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, leading to difficulties in focusing and remaining still.
Raising awareness about these learning disorders is crucial to ensure people receive timely assistance. Moreover, it is important that those around them refrain from labeling them as "lazy" or "stupid," as is often unfortunately the case. Some of the most successful stars once faced doubt from their teachers or family members when they struggled with tasks that seemed effortless for others.
To discover which stars have achieved remarkable success despite or even because of their learning disorders, click through the gallery.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU




































MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Lies
-
3
CELEBRITY Music
-
4
LIFESTYLE Criminals
Elizabeth Báthory: The "blood countess" who reportedly killed 600 young girls
-
5
LIFESTYLE Afterlife
-
6
HEALTH Well-being
-
7
CELEBRITY Beauty
-
8
MOVIES Hollywood
-
9
-
10
CELEBRITY Funny