Individuals so well-recognized for their talents and charisma have often privately suffered at the merciless hands of Parkinson’s. A progressive neurodegenerative disorder, it has affected millions worldwide. The disease is characterized by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement, which worsens over time.
Although more than 10 million people worldwide currently live with PD, the optics and the understanding of the disease remain largely misunderstood. Many people, however, only associate Parkinson’s with famous figures like Muhammad Ali or the recent diagnosis of Back to the Future’s Michael J. Fox.
Hollywood has its fair share of celebrities who are not immune to the devastating effects of this condition, and in a long list of sad passings, here are five.
Michael Newman
Michael Newman first gained fame from the success of Baywatch, where he played himself, a lifeguard. Unlike many of his co-stars in the show, Newman wasn’t acting—he was a real-life lifeguard before coming aboard the show as a technical consultant.
Quickly, his authenticity and rugged charm made him a fan favorite. By the time Baywatch had finally ended, Newman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As the years went by, the condition slowly ravaged his body, but Newman was generally optimistic about life and used his platform to raise awareness.
Since he had been vocal about his condition, the eyes were turned to early diagnosis and research into Parkinson’s. After fighting a battle with the disease for eighteen years of his life, Newman passed away at 67.
Richard Vernon
With close to 200 acting credits to his – all big, small, and in the middle, Richard Vernon was a fixture of British cinema. He is fondly remembered for his roles in iconic films, such as Goldfinger and The Pink Panther Strikes Again, as well as his memorable cameo in A Hard Day’s Night, where a cheeky John Lennon quips “Give us a kiss.”
With a rather dignified presence and commanding voice, Vernon was frequently cast as a figure of authority—be it a headmaster or government official. As his career continued to develop and sprawl, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s —the worst thing that could happen to an actor with a career so much centered around his physical and vocal presence.
He opted to keep his battle private, but those close to him saw the toll of the disease on his body. Vernon’s career and contributions to British film and television are still gladly cherished even as his later years were quietly scarred by the illness.
Robin Williams
Anything said about Robin Williams would feel not enough. He was the rare man whose energy, humor, and dramatic depth grabbed hold of audiences across generations. In films like Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Dead Poets Society, the comedic brilliance, and the inherent innocence of his characters, coupled with an arsenal of improvising skills made Williams truly special.
When he died in 2014, the world was shocked. Sally Field, a co-actor in Mrs.Doubtfire would tell Vanity Fair that she remembers the comedian to be “very sensitive and intuitive.” Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but the autopsy afterward showed that Lewy body dementia had actually affected him. This disorder is related to Parkinson’s, leading to a rapid mental decline and emotional instability.
Robin Williams’s tragic death once again re-iterated the need for further research into the mental health side effects such diseases can cause, but his legacy as one of the greatest comedians of all time remains untarnished.
Deborah Kerr
The epitome of polish and panache in her time, Deborah Kerr is still fondly remembered for The King and From Here to Eternity to An Affair to Remember. These two performances would earn her six Academy Award nominations, though she never won any.
She would, however, receive an honorary Academy Award in 1994, establishing her as one of the best of her times. The actor was particularly admired for her grace, and her choice to stay away from the tabloids.
As Parkinson’s disease began to take hold little by little in her later years, Kerr chose to retreat from the public eye. Unlike those spirited characters she had portrayed on the screen, the disease drained her of her physical energy.
Kerr spent her last years in seclusion, but her memory lives on through her cinema, remembered as one of Hollywood’s most talented stars. She died at age 86 in 2007.
David Prowse
An intimidating 6’6″, David Prowse will always be remembered as the man behind Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. While James Earl Jones provided the iconic voice, it was Prowse’s towering frame that brought to life one of cinema’s ‘baddest baddies.’
Outside the world of Star Wars, Prowse enjoyed a successful career both as a bodybuilder and as an actor with almost eighty acting credits to his name. Later in his life, Prowse began fighting Parkinson’s, which ultimately rendered him nearly immobile.
His commitment to raising awareness for the disease, nevertheless, continued, with him participating in several charity events. Unfortunately, Prowse’s health continued to decline, but he chose to be involved with Star Wars fans, making appearances at conventions, and advocating research into the disease.
He died in 2020, leaving behind not only the legacy of one of the greatest villains in cinema but also as a man of empathy.
A Parkinson’s diagnosis can be devastating, but when stars go public with their condition, it really helps – both in understanding and raising awareness. In these instances, the condition is personalized for people who might otherwise have no connection to it.
Having confronted PD head-on, these stars left legacies that have outstripped, outpowered, and outmatched their illness. Each brought attention to a condition affecting millions through candor or advocacy—to say nothing of— reminding one that even in the face of adversity, their contributions endure.
