Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, does not discriminate between A-listers and everyone else. It’s a debilitating condition that slowly causes the degeneration of the nerves that control voluntary movements including talking. There is no cure.
Stephen Hawking, who was reported to have died at the age of 76 on Wednesday, was one of the most famous people who suffered from the condition. He lived with ALS for more than 50 years. Here are 5 other celebrities who suffered from the disease.
But first...what is ALS?
ALS: The disease that Stephen Hawking defied for decades https://t.co/oQaX8dx6OA @AFPgraphics factfile on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a type of motor neurone disease pic.twitter.com/Web2Pw12sq
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 14, 2018
ALS is a motor neuron disease. It refers to progressive, neurological conditions that cause the nerves in control of muscle movement to malfunction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that between 14,500 and 15,000 people in the US had ALS in 2016; worldwide, the condition is said to affect between two and five people in every 100,000.
The average lifespan of someone with the condition is three-five years after first experiencing the symptoms. Around 10 per cent of patients live for another 10 years or longer.
Lou Gehrig
June 19, 1903 – June 2, 1941
Gehrig is one of the most famous people to have suffered from ALS, so well-known in fact that sometimes the condition is referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was nicknamed Iron Horse for his prowess on the field and his record setting – the baseball legend appeared in 2,130 consecutive games from 1925-39; a bar only beaten in 1995 by Cal Ripkin.
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed the icon with ALS in June 19, 1939, his 36th birthday, effectively putting an end to his athletic career. “I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for,” he said in his exit speech at the Yankee Stadium that July.
He died two years later.
David Niven
March 1, 1910- July 29, 1983
The Award Academy-winning British actor, who was also a novelist and war veteran, was diagnosed with ALS in 1981.
Having acted in movies including A Matter of Life and Death, Around the World in Eighty Days and The Pink Panther, he served in the army in the war of 1939. After the battle, he returned to Hollywood and received the Legionnaire of the Order of Merit.
The disease took such a toll on the actor that in his last two films his voice had to be dubbed. He also went from 104kg to a mere 49kg.
Lane Smith
(April 29, 1936 – June 13, 2005)
The actor, who gained fame with the 1992 hit My Cousin Vinny and is best known for his role as Richard Nixon in The Final Days, was diagnosed with in 2005. He died at the age of 69.
Jon Stone
(April 13, 1932 – March 30, 1997)
American writer, producer and director, who was best known for his contribution to the children’s favourite Sesame Street – he wrote the pilot episode and created characters such as Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch – died of complications that arose from ALS.
Stone also authored kids’ books including Muppet tale The Monster at the End of This Book.
Jason Becker
(July 22, 1969- present)
American heavy metal guitarist and composer Becker’s life was turned upside down when the fast-getting-popular musician found himself suffering from ALS and a bleak outlook. He had only five years to live, said doctors. However, last year he turned 47, and in spite of losing his ability to move – and even breathe -on his own he has beaten the odds and gone on to create a rich legacy of melody.
