It isn't always easy being a highly successful celebrity, especially when you have to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles to get there. Nearly 15 to 20 percent of people are diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, and these folks here are great examples of how to turn a negative learning disorder into a positive lifestyle.
Folks like Jim Carrey and Michael Phelps who struggle with ADHD are in the lot with famous people with learning disorders who have gone on to do great things. Now here are some other celebrities who overcame learning disorders to become success stories. Some of them, however, might like to pee on you. Drip, drip, drip.
Vince Vaughn![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
Ironic that the very man who's made us laugh a thousand times over was once the butt of bullying as a child. Vaughn's slowed abilities forced him into special education classes, making him a prime target for getting picked on. He's stated that having difficulties to overcome forces better work ethic and effort and that his troubles with dyslexia only helped shape him into the lovable, maniacal man we laugh with when we
binge on his classic comedies.
Tom Cruise![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV suffered from abuse and learning difficulties from a young age. It's been said that his inability to perform basic tasks caused his father to be very hard on him, as well as make him the target of school bullying. Cruise considers himself a functional illiterate. He also dropped his father's name. He is the founding member of the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project that offers free tutoring worldwide.
Albert Einstein![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
Before E equaled MC squared, Einstein had a hard time memorizing the simplest of things. That mixed with his bad memory was the chief source of his known dyslexia. The man couldn't even keep track of the months of the year! So if you don't have a learning disability and haven't discovered a theorem in your life, you have no excuses anymore.
Dan Aykroyd![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
Tourette's and Asperger's both played a pivotal and trying role in the Blues Brother's life. Prior to his roles in "Ghostbusters" and "Blues Brothers" with his
late great SNL co-star, John Belushi, Ackroyd was diagnosed with a double dose of learning disorder. Though mild cases, their presence forced him to hunker down and accomplish great tasks despite being dealt a difficult hand.
R. Kelly![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
We're not certain his desire to pee on you has anything to do with learning disorders, but the acquitted musician once charged with child pornography has publicly disclosed he can barely read. That functional illiteracy didn't seem to stop him from getting out of felony charges and winning a Grammy. Well played, Robert.
Keira Knightley![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" actress, along with her co-captain star, Orlando Bloom, both have struggled with dyslexia in their lives. From both of their childhoods, the two decorated actors struggled early on with learning disabilities, and both worked extra hard and put in the extra work necessary not only to conquer their difficulties, but to go on and sail the seas with a drunken Johnny Depp.
Caitlyn Jenner (formerly known as Bruce Jenner)![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
The Olympic athlete and 1976 gold medalist has struggled with learning disabilities since the days of Bruce. Jenner has claimed the difficulty with reading helped to overcome bigger obstacles and eventually persevere to become a once "World's Greatest Athlete." Never a dull moment, Cait.
Whoopi Goldberg![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
This sister act didn't know about her dyslexia and trouble in school until she was well into her adult years. Her teacher allegedly called her slow and dumb, and that stayed with her most of her childhood. It wasn't until later she realized there was a decent reason she was slow and dumb.
John Lennon![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
The late Beatle has been known as a dyslexia success story, having struggled with learning and getting into trouble from an early age. Lennon was constantly an advocate for anarchy, getting kicked out of school before graduation and eventually leading a social movement with Yoko Ono up until his death. John grew up with his aunt who taught him to express himself, an expression that helped him tame his dyslexia and would lead to some of the greatest music ever written.
Henry Winkler![Famous People Who Overcame Learning Disorders and Became Successful]()
That's right, the Fonz! The "Happy Days" actor and Golden Globe winner who played Arthur Fonzarelli spent most of his life suffering from an unidentified learning disorder. When he was 31, he shot a documentary about dyslexia, only to realize he was struggling with it himself. All three of Winkler's kids are reportedly dyslexic.
Sources:
Disabled-WorldTeach Hub
