The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Public figures diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) include athletes, actors, musicians, scientists and advocates. This is a selection of documented examples, not a complete list. ALS is also commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease in the United States, after baseball player Lou Gehrig’s 1939 diagnosis.
Why ALS is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease
ALS became widely known internationally after it ended Lou Gehrig’s baseball career in 1939. The ALS Association says Gehrig was diagnosed on June 19, his 36th birthday; nearly 62,000 fans attended his appreciation day on July 4. The ALS Association’s history of ALS describes the episode and the name’s connection to the disease.
Historical and cultural figures diagnosed with ALS
The ALS Association’s notable-people list spans several fields. It offers examples rather than a complete roster, and does not provide diagnosis years for every person listed.
| Person | Known for | Diagnosis timing or context |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Gehrig | Baseball player | Diagnosed June 19, 1939, according to the ALS Association. |
| Stephen Hawking | Theoretical physicist and author | Diagnosed in 1963, according to the ALS Association. |
| Jim “Catfish” Hunter | Baseball pitcher | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| David Niven | Actor | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Stephen Hillenburg | Creator of SpongeBob SquarePants | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Jon Stone | Sesame Street creator | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Charles Mingus | Jazz musician | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Kim Shattuck | Singer and songwriter | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Mike Porcaro | Toto bassist | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Lead Belly | Musician | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Jenifer Estess | Theater producer | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Ezzard Charles | Boxer | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| George Yardley | Basketball player | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| Eddie Adams | Photographer | Diagnosis year not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
| O.J. Brigance and Tim Shaw | NFL players | Diagnosis years not stated in the cited notable-people listing. |
The ALS Association’s “Who Gets ALS?” page includes these and other notable people. It reports an average age at diagnosis of 55 and says about 90% of cases occur without known family history or genetic cause; these population-level figures do not explain any individual’s diagnosis.
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People who have used public platforms for ALS awareness
Steve Gleason
The former New Orleans Saints player says he was diagnosed in January 2011. He and his wife formed Team Gleason to help people with ALS and other neuromuscular conditions access technology, equipment and services. His official biography describes his diagnosis and the organization’s work.
Brian Wallach
Wallach, co-founder of I AM ALS, says he was diagnosed in November 2017 at age 37. His I AM ALS biography documents both his diagnosis and his role in the organization.
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Eric Dane
The actor, known for Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, announced an ALS diagnosis in April 2025. The Associated Press reported that he died from ALS in February 2026 at age 53. Its obituary covers his career, diagnosis announcement and advocacy. Dane is a historical example, not someone currently living with ALS.
Chris Johnson
The ALS Association reported that former NFL running back Chris Johnson was diagnosed in 2025. Its account includes his description of the disease’s rapid progression. The article discusses football and ALS research, but it does not establish football as the cause of Johnson’s diagnosis; an individual cause should not be inferred. The ALS Association’s article provides its account.
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Stephen Hawking’s public life after diagnosis
Hawking was diagnosed in 1963 and became known internationally as a physicist and author. The ALS Association’s remembrance discusses his life and legacy; his story was also depicted in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything. His experience was individual and should not be treated as a prediction of what ALS will be like for someone else.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this list can—and cannot—tell you
Names on a notable-people list are examples of public diagnoses, not a measure of how common ALS is among celebrities. The ALS Association says about 10% of cases are associated with an inherited mutation; its population statistics do not identify the cause of any named person’s ALS. A public diagnosis also does not make someone’s private medical details public: this article includes no speculation about symptoms, family history, prognosis or cause.
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