Is there anybody famous that has bi-polar (manic-depression)?

Question

I have bi-polar and want to know if anyone who's "made it big" has the same problem.

Answer 1

Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence is an actor and standup comedian. He is well-known for his roll on the television series "Martin" as well as his parts in both "Bad Boy" movies starring opposite Will Smith. It has quite often been rumored in the media that Martin Lawrence has bipolar disorder. He has certainly been the epicenter of a number of dramatic scenes that aren’t so uncommon for those with this disorder.
Ned Beatty
Ned Beatty has had an extraordinarily successful acting career studded with stage performances, over a hundred movies, and innumerable television appearances. His first movie role was in the acclaimed John Boorman film “Deliverance.” He is also well-known for his recurring role as Stanley 'Stan' Bolander in the television series “Homicide.” Ned Beatty was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his twenties.
Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor is a very prolific actress most notably in the area of independent films. Her early career includes the blockbuster hit "Mystic Pizza." She is also known for her recurring part on the HBO series "Six Feet Under." Though she doesn’t believe it was accurate, Lili received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (manic depression) during her high-school years.
Robert Downey, Jr. - Poster Child for Self-Medication
Actor Robert Downey, Jr. has punctuated a career filled with talent and promise with arrests, imprisonments and time spent in drug rehabilitation. Though he has reportedly been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, nothing has ever been said about his receiving proper treatment for that condition.
Blake Le Vine – Celebrity Hound Gone Celebrity
Blake Le Vine was a teen prodigy making the meteoric rise from celebrity autograph hound to becoming a celebrity in his own rite and then, without warning, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His teen years proved to quite turbulent until he found the right combination of fantastic doctor and medications.
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Maurice Benard
Soap opera star Maurice Benard is frank about having been diagnosed as manic depressive. Struggles before and after diagnosis led him to become the spokesman for the National Mental Health Association's "Bipolar Disorder: Do You Know It?" campaign.
Dick Cavett
Media personality Dick Cavett, host of several talk shows, got into legal trouble due to a major depressive episode stemming from bipolar disorder.
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is a world renowned filmmaker with a number of incredibly successful movies to his credit. However, he has a much longer list of movies that were less than stellar. More than one biographical author has referred to Francis Coppola’s career as Phoenix in nature. Brilliant highs and cataclysmic lows … this begs the question of the possibility of bipolar disorder.
Patty Duke
Biographical sketch of Patty (Anna Marie) Duke, famed actress who won an Oscar at 16 but whose success masked child abuse and mental illness.
Carrie Fisher
Actress/writer Carrie Fisher's bipolar disorder first appeared during adolescence, and has manifested itself in drug and alcohol addiction since then - yet she has come back again and again.
Spalding Gray: Suicide
Author and Actor Spalding Gray disappeared January 10, 2004, and his body was pulled from the East River in New York on March 7, 2004. Suffering from bipolar disorder, Gray undoubtedly committed suicide. His family has gone through a nightmare waking nightmare. Don't put your own family through this kind of hell!
Linda Hamilton
The star of "Terminator" and "Beauty and the Beast" has acknowledged that she suffers from bipolar disorder and is now on medication to help control the devastating lows.
Mariette Hartley
Mariette Hartley is one of the best-known character actresses in television. She is also an advocate for both preventing suicide and treating bipolar disorder - having experience with both.
Margot Kidder
Canadian-born actress Margot Kidder, known best for playing opposite Christopher Reeve in the "Superman" films, has bipolar disorder which has caused her severe problems.
Vivien Leigh
Famed actress Vivien Leigh's manic depression was one of the reasons her married to Laurence Olivier failed. She is best known for playing Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind."
Burgess Meredith
Biographical sketch of actor Burgess Meredith, whose long and distinguished career ended at his death in 1997. Meredith had a form of bipolar disorder.
Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller - best known for "There's Something About Mary" - is frank about having bipolar disorder. His parents - Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara - have also talked about being in therapy for depression.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Martial arts actor Jean-Claude Van Damme's bipolar disorder led him into cocaine addiction and charges of spousal abuse.
Jonathan Winters
Comedian Jonathan Winters has always had a manic element to his humor. According to reports, he has stated that he has bipolar disorder.

This is just a partial list, you can Google to find many more. Most bipolar people are talented, intelligent people. It's all about being able to control the disorder.

Answer 2

I don't know if he was bi-polar but Abraham Lincoln suffered with severe depression. But, because you asked the question I am a little concerned about you. I have some friends who are bi-polar and they have a very happy and successful life as long as they see their Dr. and stay on meds. You don't have to be famous to be happy. Good luck!!

Answer 3

yes there is Maurice Benard he plays on soaps general hospital. here is some info on him.

When Maurice was 22 he suffered his first nervous breakdown, and soon afterwards he was diagnosed as manic-depressive. He was prescribed Lithium to help control his illness. However, he began to feel that the medication was hindering his acting abilities, and he quit taking it which resulted in his second breakdown. He realized that Lithium would become an integral part of his life. Shortly after signing on with "General Hospital", he suffered his third breakdown. General Hospital Executive Producer Wendy Riche (at the time) encouraged him, supported him, and allowed him the time he needed to recuperate.

Answer 4

Most famous one that I can think of is Danielle Steel's son, Nick....she actually wrote a book on his story. It's called 'His Bright Light; The Nick Traina Story'. It is a very sad story. And she also started The Nick Traina Foundation which offers grants for organizations involved with manic-depression research, treatment and other related things.

Answer 5

For years my mother was once bi-polar and i didn't be aware of how one can deal with it. Later I figured it out and realized to not blame her for her behaviors and simply chalked it as much as her being mentally sick. My sister has been identified with "Borderline personality sickness" which, I feel, is generally within the equal loved ones as bi-polar. After a quantity of years of problems and drama, I sooner or later requested a friend of mine (who's a licensed shrink) what to do about it. (I was continuously on pins and needles when she used to be round - worried about announcing the unsuitable thing and opening an argument, that variety of factor.) He gave me the satisfactory advice ever - he stated - "love her from a distance". He mentioned to remain in contact together with her, let her comprehend that i like her but limit my time and publicity to her. In view that then, i've taken his advice and in the final 2-3 years have simplest had 1 "combat" together with her. It's labored for me. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

For years my mother was once bi-polar and I did not understand how to manage it. Later I figured it out and discovered to not blame her for her behaviors and simply chalked it as much as her being mentally unwell. My sister has been identified with "Borderline Personality Disorder" which, I feel, is most likely within the equal loved ones as bi-polar. After a quantity of years of disorders and drama, I ultimately requested a buddy of mine (who's a certified decrease) what to do approximately it. (I was once continuously on pins and needles whilst she was once round - concerned approximately announcing the improper factor and beginning a controversy, that type of factor.) He gave me the great recommendation ever - he stated - "love her from a distance". He stated to stick in contact together with her, allow her understand that I love her however restrict my time and publicity to her. Since then, I have taken his recommendation and within the final two-three years have most effective had one million "battle" together with her. It's labored for me. Hope this is helping.

Answer 7

Mariah Carey

Answer 8

Sure there are! Patrick Kennedy has it...and so do so many movie stars and personalities. Proper treatment is the key to success against this disorder.

Answer 9

Kristi McNichol.