Famous People with Narcolepsy – Past & Present

Narcoleptic Celebrities – History of Stars with Sleep Disorders

Sep 13, 2009 Tony Dunnell

Despite this chronic sleep disorder, famous people with narcolepsy have battled to gain their success. Here are some inspirational celebrities with narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy, as defined by www.healthscout.com, “is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness accompanied by a series of auxiliary symptoms, typically beginning in adolescence or young adulthood”. These auxiliary symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), sudden sleep attacks, sleep paralysis, cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone) and hallucinations shortly before and after periods of sleep.

The life of a narcoleptic is one full of added complications. Simple tasks can become hampered or even life threatening when afflicted by this chronic sleep disorder. Famous people with narcolepsy have managed to battle against this disorder, making their successes all the more praiseworthy and inspirational to other sufferers. Here are some of the famous narcoleptics, past and present, who have achieved celebrity status in politics, sport and the arts.

Famous People with Narcolepsy from History and Politics

Historical figures have at times been retrospectively diagnosed with narcolepsy. Winston Churchill has often been linked with narcolepsy but this is most likely a result of his abnormal sleep patterns due to his high pressure role, particularly during World War II. Thomas Edison, inventor best remembered for the light bulb, is another figure at times mentioned alongside narcolepsy, but this is largely unfounded.

Harriet Tubman, a humanitarian and heroine of the anti-slavery movement, suffered a traumatic head wound accidently inflicted by one of her masters. She was to suffer seizures, periods of unconsciousness and “visions” after the injury. These have since been attributed to temporal lobe epilepsy or perhaps narcolepsy.

From the world of politics today, the best reported narcoleptic is former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Harold M. Ickes. Once an integral part of the Clinton administration, Ickes is reported to have used drugs to successfully combat his narcolepsy, despite falling asleep in some meetings. His rise in political spheres is impressive given his condition.

Celebrities with Narcolepsy – Famous Narcoleptics from the Arts and Entertainment

Actress and sex symbol Natassja Kinski is today one of the most famous people with narcolepsy. She spoke of her narcolepsy in an interview with David Jenkins for the Telegraph in 2001, stating that her overall fatigue at the time was “exacerbated by mild narcolepsy”. Despite her narcolepsy, Kinski still managed to appear in over 60 movies during her film career.

Best known to British audiences, actor Arthur Lowe suffered from narcolepsy. He is best known for his role as Captain Mainwaring in the sitcom Dad’s Army. Across the pond, television audiences in the US will be more familiar with late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. The comedian, producer and talk show host has risen in the world of entertainment despite suffering from narcolepsy.

Not many famous people with narcolepsy are known of in literary circles. However, science fiction editor and essayist Teresa Nielsen Hayden is a known narcoleptic. With help from medicines to keep the condition at bay, Hayden has been nominated for five Hugo Awards during her career.

Famous People with Narcolepsy from the World of Sport

Controversy has surrounded the career of narcoleptic professional cyclist Franck Bouyer. Bouyer, who raced for road cycle team Bouygues, used the drug Modafinil to control his narcolepsy allowing him to race. However, in 2004, the UCI (cycling’s governing body) ruled that the drug was a banned substance and Bouyer could not be given special license to use it. Bouyer was unable to race until 2009 when a new narcolepsy drug, Xyrem, was passed by the UCI as legal.

Aaron Flahavan was a professional soccer goalkeeper who, despite his narcolepsy, managed to play in 105 first-team games for Portsmouth FC. He suffered two blackouts during matches. Flahavan tragically died in a car crash in 2001. Flahavan was behind the wheel at the time and attention was immediately drawn to his narcolepsy. However, his blood alcohol level was later found to have been well over the legal limit.

Golf pro Nicole Jeray is another celebrity narcoleptic. A veteran of the LPGA, Jeray suffers from acute narcolepsy but has never given up following her dream. In a Golf Digest article (November, 2001), Jaime Diaz wrote that “During a competitive round, she'll often be thrust into brief, instant sleep as often as 50 times”.

Nicole Jeray, like the other famous people with narcolepsy mentioned above, has managed to achieve great success in her chosen field despite suffering from narcolepsy. She, like these other celebrities with narcolepsy, serves as an inspiring role model for any person afflicted by narcolepsy.

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Famous People with Narcolepsy – Harriet Tubman	Franck Bouyer – Famous Narcoleptics	Celebrities with Narcolepsy – Arthur Lowe
Jimmy Kimmel – Famous Narcoleptic	Natassja Kinski – Famous Narcoleptic