For many of us, learning that our favorite celebrity has a mental condition like schizophrenia can be shocking and disheartening. But despite what society may lead us to believe about people with this disorder, some remarkable individuals have achieved great things despite their mental condition.
From well-known musicians to illustrious athletes, many successful people are living with schizophrenia. By exploring the stories of famous people with schizophrenia, we can learn how to support better those affected by this disorder and gain a deeper appreciation for their courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Famous People with Schizophrenia
Even though there is much stigma surrounding mental illness, there are many celebrities who suffer from depression, BPD, and other mental health issues who have opened up about their experiences. And many are using social media platforms to help ordinary people struggling with such problems.
However, schizophrenia as a mental illness receives very little attention. One reason is that there aren’t many people or stars with schizophrenia, which affects less than 1% of the US population.
Another is the associated symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and an altered perception of reality, which can be challenging to discuss openly.
Nevertheless, some present-day celebrities, such as Aaron Carter and Darrell Hammond, have bravely chosen to address the challenges they face due to schizophrenia. Additionally, historical figures and past celebrities also grappled with this disorder. While some received diagnoses during their lifetimes, others were identified by experts after their passing.
Below is a list of famous people with schizophrenia.
John Nash
The brilliant mathematician John Nash had a decades-long battle with schizophrenia. He is perhaps the most famous person with paranoid schizophrenia as, despite his condition, he won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking work in game theory.
Actor Russell Crowe portrayed his remarkable life in A Beautiful Mind. Despite his struggles, Nash inspires many, showcasing resilience and the potential for achievement even with a mental illness.
Syd Barrett
The founding member of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, struggled with schizophrenia but wasn’t officially diagnosed until 1975 when he suffered a psychotic breakdown. In an attempt to self-medicate, Barrett turned to mind-altering drugs like LSD and marijuana. These substances not only made him join other famous drug addicts of his time but further worsened his condition.
Barrett’s story is one of the most famous schizophrenia cases, especially since his creative genius and unique musical style had a significant impact on the band’s early work. In fact, Pink Floyd’s co-founder Roger Waters has said on numerous occasions that the insanity-themed lyrics are based on Syd Barrett’s mental instability.
Brian Wilson
The co-founder of the famous 60s band the Beach Boys, musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer Brian Wilson is also listed among the famous paranoid schizophrenics in the music industry.
Wilson was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1984 after medical professionals discovered evidence of brain damage resulting from the musician’s prolonged and excessive consumption of psychedelic drugs, particularly LSD.
Following his diagnosis as one of the famous musicians with schizophrenia, he became a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.
Jack Kerouac
While many considered American novelist, poet, and essayist Jack Kerouac a genius, few people know that he was actually a famous schizophrenic. The mind behind the Beat Generation movement, novels On the Road and The Dharma Bums, was diagnosed with dementia praecox in 1943 and, as such, was rendered unfit for service by the US Navy.
Later, his diagnosis was changed to a constitutional psychopathic state and schizoid personality, shedding light on Kerouac’s mental health struggles. Despite his condition, Kerouac became one of the most successful schizophrenics of our time and a novelist with a unique perspective and raw creativity.
Aaron Carter
In 2019, the brother of Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys, Aaron, who had a successful career as a child singer, revealed he was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.
Being among the famous people with mental illnesses is challenging enough, and you don’t have to be an expert to imagine what dealing with a combination of several must feel like. But even though Aaron tried to focus on making music throughout his career, he had difficulty coping with the stress of fame.
Carter also struggled with drug addiction and underwent treatment in 2011 and 2018. Unfortunately, his mental issues got the better of him as the singer was found dead in his bathtub in his California home on November 5, 2022.
Zelda Fitzgerald
Another famous person with schizophrenia on our list is Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who faced profound struggles with this illness. Episodes of mental instability and hospitalizations marked her life.
Zelda’s talent as a writer and artist was overshadowed by her battle with schizophrenia and several mental breakdowns. After spending the last 20 years of her life going in and out of psychiatric hospitals, in March 1948, Zelda tragically passed away in a hospital fire.
Darrell Hammond
The stand-up comedian, impressionist, and actor Darrell Hammond is among the current celebrities with schizophrenia who have openly discussed the effects of the illness. Despite his brilliant appearance on live TV, the actor struggled with debilitating flashbacks, self-injury, and addictions behind the scenes.
In 2011, Hammond shared with CNN that he was abused as a child by his mother, who he believes had schizophrenia. After years of self-harm, substance abuse, and being misdiagnosed by over 40 doctors, Hammond was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia and is now taking medication to manage his symptoms.
Eduard Einstein
Another famous case of schizophrenia involves the second son of physicist Albert Einstein, Eduard, who was diagnosed with the illness at 21. The case has received much attention over the years, especially since studies show that the disease tends to run in families.
Despite his initial promising academic pursuits and musical talent, Eduard’s mental health deteriorated, leading to his withdrawal from studies. Unfortunately, Eduard spent much of his life in psychiatric institutions, receiving treatment and care. He died in Zurich in 1965.
Peter Green
The founder of Fleetwood Mac and a renowned British blues-rock guitarist, Peter Green, had a successful career marked by hits like Albatross, Black Magic Woman, and Oh Well. But few people know he’s among the famous people with schizoaffective disorder.
It’s difficult to imagine that a musician inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has battled mental illness throughout his life. Nonetheless, Green was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent electroconvulsive therapy in psychiatric hospitals during the mid-1970s.
What’s more, even though he struggled greatly with this illness, his work left a lasting impact on the music industry, and he has been recognized as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Green is ranked 58th on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Veronica Lake
The most prominent film noir actress of the 1940s, Veronica Lake, faced the challenges of schizophrenia from childhood. Despite her talent, she exhibited dramatic and occasionally violent outbursts as an adult.
Lake became famous for her performances in films like Sullivan’s Travels and her captivating femme fatale roles alongside Alan Ladd. She was also known for her signature peek-a-boo hairstyle. However, her career as an actress with schizophrenia faltered in the late 1940s due to her mental issues and struggle with alcoholism.
Vincent van Gogh
Some say he was mad, others say he is among the historic celebrities with BPD who never received proper treatment. And many psychologists identify him as one of the few famous artists with schizophrenia.
Unfortunately, knowing the inner workings of the mind responsible for masterpieces like Starry Night and Sunflowers is difficult. What is evident is that van Gogh experienced unstable moods and an eccentric personality, precipitating multiple psychotic episodes in his final years.
Tragically, as with many historical figures with schizophrenia who never received proper treatment, the painter shot himself in the chest with a revolver.
Wesley Willis
The singer, songwriter, and visual artist, Wesley Willis, who gained recognition through appearances on popular shows like MTV and The Howard Stern Show, in 1989 openly admitted that he was among the famous people with schizophrenia.
Willis said that he began experiencing auditory hallucinations, which he referred to as demons, and upon psychiatric evaluation, the musician was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Following his two-month institutionalization, Willis started to openly discuss his demons, such as Heartbreaker, Nervewrecker, and Meansucker.
Remarkably, he channeled his symptoms to his advantage, coining his psychotic episodes as “hell rides” and celebrating rock and roll as “the joy ride music.”
Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary, the wife of the late President Abraham Lincoln, is also among celebrities with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Throughout her life, she experienced the challenges of bipolar disorder, which falls under the umbrella of schizoaffective disease.
Additionally, she frequently suffered from debilitating headaches, likely migraines, conditions that influenced her experiences and interactions, alongside her husband during their time in the White House.
Geniuses with Schizophrenia
One question that people ask is whether a person with schizophrenia can be a genius. In reality, schizophrenics tend to have lower IQ scores. Yet, history has seen many people with schizophrenia with higher IQ scores, and these manifest their symptoms differently.
Here are some famous cases of schizophrenia where people suffering from it have excelled in their fields.
Vaslav Nijinsky
The legendary ballet dancer and choreographer known as the God of Dance astounded audiences and scandalized critics with his revolutionary choreography. Nijinsky’s career was cut short due to his battle with schizophrenia.
Elyn Saks
A legal scholar, mental health advocate, and law professor who has achieved remarkable success despite living with schizophrenia. Saks even wrote a book about her condition called The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness.
Lionel Aldridge
The former professional American football player who helped the Green Bay Packers win two Super Bowls is also among the few black celebrities with schizophrenia. Despite his success, Aldridge lived as homeless and undiagnosed for ten years.
Tom Harrell
From renowned jazz trumpeter and composer who had received critical acclaim for his musical achievements to joining famous people who have schizophrenia, Tom Harrell was diagnosed in 1967. He was placed on medication so that he could regain his emotional balance.
Luckily, his story places him among the successful people with schizophrenia as he managed to stay extraordinary despite his illness. He was also among the few millionaires with schizophrenia, as his estate was worth $91 million at the time of his death.
