Living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can be isolating. Caring for someone with those diagnoses can be just as lonely. Even if you take good care of yourself, you might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. It can help to know there are others who are going through the same experience. Dementia can affect anyone as they age, including famous actors. Here are some of the most famous people who have lived with or are living with dementia.

1. Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis, 69, is best known for action movies, like the “Die Hard” series and “Pulp Fiction.” Now, he is living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and struggles with many things, including communication.

While Willis can no longer speak out to raise awareness for dementia, his family believes he would if he could. They are using their voices to bring attention to the condition and to connect people who are living with it or caring for those who do. There’s currently no cure for FTD, but Willis’ family believes that raising awareness will lead to more funding to research the disease. They are grateful for the love and support that the public has shown Willis and hope it will continue as his condition progresses.

2. Robin Williams

Many people know Robin Williams from his roles in movies like “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Dead Poets Society.” Fans love how he could be both funny and serious on screen.

Williams died by suicide in 2014 at the age of 63. Afterward, it was discovered that he had been living with Lewy body dementia. Before he died, he experienced symptoms like difficulty controlling his movements, memory loss, and feelings of paranoia and confusion. Lewy body dementia can be hard to diagnose because it often begins with motor symptoms instead of cognitive ones. Depression and anxiety, which can increase a person’s risk of suicide, are also common mental health symptoms of Lewy body dementia.

Wiliams’ death raised awareness of Lewy body dementia. In addition, his wife, Susan Schneider Williams, has become an advocate for the condition. She has spoken, raised money, and even helped create a short documentary about Williams’ experience with Lewy body dementia

Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online.

3. Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands played a character living with Alzheimer’s disease in “The Notebook” and was later diagnosed with the condition herself. Part of the reason she played the part so well is that her mother had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Rowlands’ son, Nick Cassavetes, produced the film and later announced his mother’s diagnosis. He has fond memories of shooting the film with her, and recalls how much they talked about Alzheimer’s and how hard they worked to portray it accurately.

Rowland died in 1989, at the age of 94, from complications of Alzheimer’s.

4. Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams, a well-loved American talk show host, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Williams, 60, is also living with primary progressive aphasia, which makes it hard for her to speak and communicate. According to a 2024 update from her care team, Williams is still able to do many things for herself while receiving care when needed.

Williams has already participated in a two-part documentary about her life. Her family chose to make her diagnoses public to help people understand her better and to raise awareness for others with her diagnoses.

5. Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston was a Hollywood actor from a bygone era who was diagnosed with dementia near the end of his life. He announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2002, sharing that he was experiencing memory loss. After that, he gave his last interview with Peter Jennings at his California home. When he made his announcement, he read from a prepared statement, indicating that he understood what he was facing. Heston died in 2008 at the age of 84.

By sharing his story publicly instead of disappearing privately, Heston was able to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. He also helped put a public face to the condition, making it less likely for people to think of it as something that only happens to others.

6. Joanne Woodward

Joanne Woodward is best known for winning an Oscar for her performance in “The Three Faces of Eve.” She was married to fellow actor Paul Newman for nearly 50 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007, shortly before Newman was diagnosed with cancer.

After her diagnosis, Woodward withdrew from public life. However, she was able to enjoy a documentary made about her and Newman, titled “The Last Movie Stars.” According to the 2022 film, the 94-year-old now lives with her family in Connecticut. They make sure she is comfortable and celebrate her courage as she continues to live with Alzheimer’s disease.

Talk With Others Who Understand

At myALZteam, you’ll find the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. On myALZteam, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Who is your favorite actor diagnosed with dementia? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.