Celebrities with links to Lupus
Paralympic Equestrian Dale Dedrick was diagnosed with Lupus during her time at the University of Michigan causing her multiple joint deformities, muscle weakness of an inflammatory nature, and significant heart disease. She retired in 1992 as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Internal Medicine.
Dale took part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Their original Manager, Andretta Tillman, died of lupus in 1997 and Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles took over.
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (10 December 1830 to 15 May 1886), was an American poet. Little-known during her life, she has since been regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry.
In 1862 she she wrote 365 poems, in later years she grew so reclusive that she often communicated with her family by dropping notes down through the floorboards.
The possible reasons for Dickinson's insistence on privacy continue to fascinate literary scholars. One paper suggests that physical illness: headaches, poor eyesight, rashes and finally lupus, was the key.
Under normal circumstances a celebrity link to lupus would be posted here when the celebrity has spoken of it. In the case of historical figures such as Beethoven that’s not possible so this is based on research by others using reported symptoms/medical history etc.
Dido’s father, William Armstrong, almost died after being admitted to the Middlesex Hospital with severe lupus which lead to septicaemia and liver failure. He spent 5 months in intensive care before going on to make a remarkable recovery.
The doctor described him as “one of the most severely ill people I have known to have survived."
American Rapper/producer Jay Dilla (or Jay Dee), died in February 2006 aged 32 from lupus complications. He had been diagnosed with lupus for 3 years and had been on kidney dialysis for 2 years.
Kelly ‘s career began as an international model. Her acting career then blossomed as she landed a recurring role on General Hospital. She's even rubbed shoulders with Mike Myers as one of the infamous ‘femme bots’ for Austin Powers!
Ava DuVernay is an American filmmaker and film distributor. She won the directing award in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere, becoming the first black woman to win the award
She is the creator and Executive Producer of Queen Sugar, she chose to give the character Violet (known as ‘Aunt Vi’) the autoimmune disease lupus and revealed for the first time that she too had lupus.
She added “I’ve been in remission for 20 years, but I did want to make sure that we create spaces to talk about it. We wanted to really give that chronic illness to Vi and show you can live and you can battle through it, you can continue to thrive, but you have to manage it.”
Actress June Easton died on 2nd April 2005 aged 72 from complications of lupus. She was the wife of actor Robert Easton. She was a dialect coach at her husband’s firm “Henry Higgins of Hollywood inc”.
Robert Easton is considered one of the top dialect coaches in the film industry, teaching over 80 different dialects. June appeared in several films with her husband including: Paint your wagon, Tai-pan and Timber Tramps.
Gwen Field, mother of Ayda Field (who is married to Robbie Williams) has lupus. As well as lupus Gwen also suffers from Parkinsons and cervical cancer.
During lockdown in May 2020 Ayda revealed more devastating news. "My mum in January was diagnosed with Stage 2 Cervical Cancer and it had spread outside the cervix and was a very aggressive tumour so alongside her Parkinson's and her Lupus was this cancer battle and because the cancer was so big they decided that she needed to immediately go into chemo and radiation daily and have surgery," Ayda explained.
“When the pandemic hit it was very scary because my mum with Lupus and Parkinson's and cancer, at 70 years old is prime for some bad things happening so she was going to the hospital every day for these treatments and I just remember every day thinking 'Is she going to pick something up? Is this where it all ends?'" she added.
Tomiko Fraser is an American actress and fashion model, well known as one of the faces of cosmetics company Maybelline. Here sister, Shneequa, has lupus which has affected her brain and central nervous system.
Cindy Frey, wife of Glen Frey (formerly of the band the Eagles, deceased 2015), has lupus.
She said "Lupus has been raging through our population of young women, cutting short the opportunity for them to reach their full potential, often it targets the very driven woman who has so much to give. Lupus LA has been a front-runner in the fight to cure this disease by raising funds for research and supporting patients."
Hugh Gaitskell was a British politician, leader of the Labour Party from 1955. He died after a sudden attack of SLE in 1963, aged 56, and left an opening for Harold Wilson in the party leadership.
The abrupt and unexpected nature of his death led to speculation that foul play was involved, the most popular conspiracy theory involving a KGB plot to ensure that Wilson (supposedly a KGB agent himself) became prime minister. This claim was given new life by Peter Wright’s controversial 1987 book Spycatcher
Actor James Garner whose daughter Gigi suffers from lupus has starred in a Public Service Campaign to alert women to the dangers of lupus. He said “Lupus has scarred my youngest daughter's life”
Yūko Gotō a Japanese voice actress and singer. In direct contrast to her cute-and-vulnerable moé typecasting, Yūko in real life is a devotee of biker culture who dresses and acts as such when not working, right down to her motorcycle.
This is parodied in the 23rd episode of Lucky Star, in which she appears as a masculine Bōsōzoku-styled character of herself called Gotouza, a nickname given to her by fellow voice actor Tomokazu Sugita.
In 2012, she announced that she is suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and systemic lupus erythematosus. .
In 2015 Selena Gomez said she was receiving chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lupus. Concerns about her health were first raised in 2013, when she cancelled a tour of Asia and Australia.She later sought treatment at the Dawn at the Meadows rehab facility, with her representatives denying she was dealing with substance abuse. But the singer has revealed her break was "really about" her lupus diagnosis, adding: "I could have had a stroke."
In an interview with Billboard, the actress-singer, explained that she underwent chemotherapy for the autoimmune disease amid intense fan and media speculation (some reports said she was in rehab for addiction, adding insult to injury) about why she was keeping a low profile.“I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke,” Gomez told the magazine. “I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re a–holes.’ I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”
Actor Ian Harding appears as Ezra Fitz in the USA TV series, Pretty Little Liars. He’s also a huge animal rights activist and raises money for lupus in his spare time.
Ian Harding’s mother, Mary, was diagnosed with lupus in 1994, after graduating with a degree in nursing from Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in Virginia. Ian was 7 at the timeand unaware that the disease was life-threatening. Neither side of his family had a history of lupus.
Despite the obstacles Mary faced, she continued to work full-time as a cardiology nurse at Walter Reed. She was determined not to let her illness affect her children’s lives. Mary was in full support of Ian choosing to act with his life but urged him to attend a university where he could study acting technique.
Actor Melissa, internationally known for playing Sabrina the teenage witch, is an Ambassador for Lupus LA.
She explained her support for lupus saying “I had no clue what lupus was. I had just celebrated my wedding and was in the process of making new friends. I became fast friends with my dear friend Kellie Martin and learned that she had lost her only sister to this autoimmune disease. This news absolutely devastated me. All through my life I have thanked God for keeping my family safe and healthy, unable to imagine my life if I was ever to lose one of them. I wanted her to know that I was not only willing to be there for her as a friend, but that I would try to help in any way possible.”
Click here for a video of Melissa talking about lupus and why she supports lupus causes.
Sally Hawkins, an English actress, is the recipient of numerous accolades including a Golden Globe Award and the Silver Bear for Best Actress and has been nominated for two Academy Awards.
Sally appeared in many films including: Star Wars, Godzilla, Paddington, the shape of water, Jane Eyre and Made in Dagenham. Also in TV programmes such as: Casualty, the Hollow Crown and Little Britain.
In 2018 Sally revealed that she has lupus. "I do get quite tired, but I don't let it stop me. I've been very lucky with it, for the most part. It comes in waves. I'm not crippled with it, like some people. I just have to be aware and take it steady."
Leslie Hunt is a professional musician and composer and previous contestant on American Idol 2007. Leslie was diagnosed with lupus at 7 years old and says it has been the toughest obstacle in her life
The children's author died on 20th October 2010, at the age of 85 at her home in Newcastle. She was best known for the Amazon adventure tale Journey to the River Sea, winner of the Nestlé children's gold award and shortlisted for the Carnegie medal, and for her funny, magical stories for younger children, including The Secret of Platform 13 and The Great Ghost Rescue.
Although she had battled poor health in latter years and was suffering from lupus, Eva continued to write. The last of her "romps", The Ogre of Oglefort, was published just a few months prior to her death and was shortlisted for the Guardian children's fiction prize and the Roald Dahl funny prize. "The thing you have to do is keep writing, the habit is too ingrained, you can't stop," she said at the time.
