Defying the Odds: Famous People Battling Multiple Sclerosis

Actress Christina Applegate revealed on Twitter in 2021, at the age of 49, that she had been diagnosed with MS. She described her experience as strange and difficult, sharing her journey with her fans.

At the 2023 SAG Awards, Christina Applegate walked the red carpet in what she hinted could be her last appearance as an actor. She wore a black gown resembling a suit and carried a cane with "FU MS" on it, boldly expressing her determination to confront the disease. With her daughter by her side, she shared her doubts about continuing in acting, considering a move into voice work for financial stability.

Jack Osbourne, son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, received his multiple sclerosis diagnosis shortly after his daughter was born. He experienced sudden vision loss in his left eye, leading him to undergo an MRI scan. The results revealed lesions on his brain and spine, confirming the diagnosis.

Jack Osbourne's vision eventually returned, but he faced a significant battle with depression, a common side effect of MS. According to 'Stars Insider', He admitted that dealing with the emotional aspects of the disease has been the hardest part for him. To lift his spirits, he stays active. In a bid to stay positive, he co-created the reality show ‘Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour’ with his father, Ozzy Osbourne, who was previously misdiagnosed with MS but actually has Parkinson’s disease.

David Lander, known for his role as "Squiggy" on 'Laverne and Shirley,' quietly battled multiple sclerosis for 15 years before openly discussing his experience with the disease. Despite his long struggle, he candidly shared his journey before his passing in 2020.

Comedian Richard Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986. He lived with the progressively debilitating disease for nearly two decades until his passing in 2005, following his third heart attack. Reflecting on his experience, Pryor shared with 'Entertainment Weekly', "Multiple Sclerosis is a very strange disease. I didn't know anything was wrong at first, the s*** just crept up on me." He noted that the disease began to significantly impact him around 1990. Pryor emphasized the profound perspective shift that came with losing mobility, stating, "We take so much for granted, but man, lose the movement of your legs and you begin to take a closer look at life."

Jamie-Lynn Sigler received her MS diagnosis at the young age of 20, while she was starring in the popular HBO series 'The Sopranos.' Despite grappling with the condition for years, she kept it private until she was 34, admitting to being in denial. She confessed to 'Glamour', “I thought it meant wheelchair; I thought it meant your life was over." For nearly 15 years, she struggled to accept it as part of her life. However, she eventually came to terms with her diagnosis and is now doing well. She undergoes medication twice a year and is happily raising her two young children.

As per 'Stars Insider', Selma Blair received her MS diagnosis in 2018 during her mid-forties. The star of 'Cruel Intentions' (1999) had been grappling with symptoms for years, but it wasn't until she physically fell in front of her neurologist that the severity of her condition was recognized.

Blair has bravely shared her experience with the disease, going on ‘Good Morning America’ in the middle of a flare-up to raise awareness. Blair says she struggles with numbness, difficulty speaking and moving her left leg, and a worsening lazy eye.

In October 2022, actress Emma Caulfield Ford, known for her roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'WandaVision,' and 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos,' disclosed to 'Vanity Fair that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 13 years earlier. She said, "I woke up one morning and the left side of my face felt like there were a million ants crawling on it," she said. "It was like an out-of-body experience… I'm like, 'No, that's not possible.' I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' [The doctor] was very matter-of-fact about it. It was literally a kind of nightmare," Emma added.