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Tourette's syndrome, a condition that has very likely existed for as long as humans have but was only officially discovered in the 19th century, remains to this day shrouded in mystery. The condition, closely associated with involuntary tics and commonly accompanied by an obsessive-compulsive disorder, was once thought to be extremely rare. More recent studies, however, estimate that around 1% of the world's population lives with Tourette's syndrome, if not more. Tourette's can affect everyone differently, and while the condition is still being studied, many famous figures and celebrities with Tourette's have stepped up to break the stigma and share their experiences of living with tics.
Read on to learn more about Tourette's syndrome and the people who have it.
Tourette's syndrome is a condition that affects an individual's nervous system, and causes involuntary movements or sounds known as tics. Except in extreme cases, these tics are inconvenient but ultimately harmless, and there is no link between Tourette's and the lifespan or intelligence of those afflicted by it. The condition was named by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot (pictured) after his intern who first studied these tics in his patients.
That intern was Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first observed and recorded a "convulsive tic disorder" in nine of his patients in 1885. Since then, medical professionals have learned much about the syndrome, but many aspects still remain a mystery.
Doctors are still not sure exactly what causes Tourette's syndrome to occur, but it is believed to be a mixture of both genetic and environmental factors. The condition has also been known to be passed down hereditarily.
While severe, debilitating cases of Tourette's are rare, mild forms of the condition can be at least partially treated using a combination of dopamine-inhibiting medications and therapy. Many doctors agree that cognitive behavioral therapy with a focus on habit reversal is the most effective treatment to soothe or eliminate tics.
Despite these available treatments, there is no cure-all method or procedure to completely eliminate Tourette's syndrome. Studies show that individuals who show signs of Tourette's syndrome as children usually see their symptoms diminish as they go through puberty, and in some cases the tics become imperceptible. So imperceptible, in fact, you might have never noticed that some of your favorite celebrities live with Tourette's.
Pop sensation Billie Eilish has mentioned her Tourette's in a number of interviews, although she prefers not to put a spotlight on it. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Eilish said she didn't want the syndrome to define her career.
Funnyman Seth Rogen announced on Twitter in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. According to Rogen, the condition runs in his family.
Canadian comedian and actor Dan Aykroyd, beloved for his roles in 1980s hit films such as 'Ghostbusters' and 'The Blues Brothers,' battled with Tourette's syndrome during his childhood. Thankfully, Aykroyd is a testament to the positive effects behavioral therapy can have, and the actor has rarely suffered from tics as an adult.
Tim Howard, former goalkeeper for the United States men's national soccer team, revealed in his autobiography that he was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome when he was a child.
'Dancing with the Stars' judge Carrie Ann Inaba opened up about her experiences with Tourette's syndrome as a child. While her symptoms were never severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, Inaba realized she most likely had Tourette's after learning more about the condition as an adult.
Comedian and TV personality Howie Mandel has always been vocal about his life with OCD, which manifests itself as germophobia. He has also been said to experience symptoms of Tourette's syndrome.
One of the most famous athletes in the world, English soccer superstar David Beckham has been open about his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a common manifestation of Tourette's syndrome.
American billionaire and business magnate Howard Hughes, best known for his passion for airplanes and his multiple top-speed flight world records, lived with Tourette's syndrome and OCD for his whole life.
While Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain was never formally diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, some medical professionals who have looked back on his life have claimed that the musician's "tics and psychiatric comorbidities" could have warranted a positive diagnosis.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arguably the most important composer in the history of classical music, has been retroactively diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. Doctors and historians who have studied the genius composer say that his documented hyperactivity, sporadic shouting and grimacing, as well as his obsessive personality, all point to a likely association with Tourette's.
Samuel Johnson, a British author and lexicographer from the 18th century, is most well known for writing one of the world's first dictionaries of the English language. He has also been posthumously diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, by doctors and historians who have poured over his biography and identified his telltale tics.
Dash Mihok, an American actor best known for his role in the hit HBO series 'Ray Donovan,' is an outspoken advocate for a better understanding of Tourette's syndrome. Mihok has lived with Tourette's since he was a young child, and although his tics have diminished in severity, they are still a part of his daily life. Mihok is a member of the Tourette Association of America, and works to destigmatize the condition.
Former baseball player Jim Eisenreich has dealt with Tourette's syndrome all his life. During the 1980s, Eisenreich went into voluntary retirement in order to receive treatment for his condition. Today, he runs the Jim Eiseinreich Foundation for Children with Tourette's Syndrome.
Tobias Picker, a celebrated American pianist and composer, famous for his ballet 'Awakenings' as well as his opera 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' has confirmed that he lives with Tourette's syndrome. He has also mentioned there are "tourettic elements" in his musical compositions.
James Durbin, who found fame after becoming a finalist on the 10th season of 'American Idol,' has always been open about his Tourette's syndrome diagnosis.
Children's television host Marc Summers, known from shows like 'Double Dare,' has opened up on numerous occasions about his severe OCD that went undiagnosed and untreated for decades, and is accompanied by tics most likely caused by Tourette's.
Politician Jumaane Williams has been open about his Tourette's syndrome as well as his ADHD, and has been a vocal supporter of other individuals living with the same conditions.
Venezuelan-American singer and actress Lele Pons, star of 'The Secret Life of Lele Pons,' has spoken at length on her show about her life with Tourette's syndrome and OCD.
Michael Wolff, a respected jazz musician who has played with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cannonball Adderley, and Bobby McFerrin, has lived with Tourette's syndrome all his life. Wolff is the inspiration for the 2000 musical film 'The Tic Code,' written by his wife, Polly Draper.
Joe Black, a drag queen from Brighton, England, famous for their time on the second season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK,' has spoken on a number of occasions about his life with Tourette's syndrome.
Pete Bennett, the British television celebrity who won the seventh season of the hit reality show 'Big Brother,' was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome as a child. Several Tourette's associations have said that Bennett's presence on television has helped destigmatize the condition.
Former pro basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was diagnosed with mild Tourette's syndrome when he was 17 years old. Despite his condition, Abdul-Rauf's incredible talent for basketball was noticed and fostered by his high school coaches.
A star of contemporary Christian music, Jamie Grace Harper was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for her song 'Hold Me.' Harper has struggled with Tourette's syndrome since she was a child, and was diagnosed at 11 years old.
Sources: (National Library of Medicine) (Ranker) (Prestige Employment Solutions)
Famous people with Tourette's syndrome
These famous figures have battled with the little-understood condition
HEALTH Health
Tourette's syndrome, a condition that has very likely existed for as long as humans have but was only officially discovered in the 19th century, remains to this day shrouded in mystery. The condition, closely associated with involuntary tics and commonly accompanied by an obsessive-compulsive disorder, was once thought to be extremely rare. More recent studies, however, estimate that around 1% of the world's population lives with Tourette's syndrome, if not more. Tourette's can affect everyone differently, and while the condition is still being studied, many famous figures and celebrities with Tourette's have stepped up to break the stigma and share their experiences of living with tics.
Read on to learn more about Tourette's syndrome and the people who have it.