Do you ever wonder which famous figures have obstructive sleep apnea? Or ever want to create a comprehensive list? Well, I did too. You likely found your way here, because you were looking for the same thing.
Reggie White (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You may ask why such a list would be needed. Well, I’ll tell you. Patients who aren’t famous need someone to identify with when diagnosing a condition. Just like people with Parkinsons identify with Michael J Fox, or HIV identify with Magic Johnson.
They want someone to look up to and follow, who perhaps is living a better life for having their disorder treated. I can tell you that Reggie White, and the Reggie White Foundation have done more for cpap compliance than almost any physician or society. I hear it all the time. “I heard Reggie White died of sleep apnea, and my wife said I should get checked.” Many, many folks see the posters were have in the office and it drives compliance. Everyone has heard of him. And the foundation is simply amazing. By the way, the S.A.P.P. by Warren Sapp, also a cpap user, has been incredible as well. So without further ado,
- Quincy Jones, music producer
- Rosie O’Donnell, comic, talk show host, and actress
- Adam Savage, host of MythBusters
- Regis Philbin, talk show host
- Shaquille O’Neal, NBA player
- Pen Jillette of Pen and Teller, comedian
- Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
- Randy Jackson, American Idol
- Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead
- George Kennedy, actor in Cold Hand Luke, Airport
- William Shatner, actor in Star Trek, Boston Legal
- Warren Sapp, NFL football
- Reggie White, NFL football
If you have any names to add, please contact me or add a comment. I specifically am not including anyone who died before 1981, before cpap was invented. ie, no Roosevelt, Napoleon, etc. Of course I should also note, that these are people who have publicly stated they have OSA. Dont post anyone you take care of that has not gone public!
So there it is. If you have sleep apnea, or symptoms of it, get it treated!
-Merican Dreamer
