By Marisa Laudadio
8:31am PDT, Apr 3, 2024
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Join us as we take a look at some of the stars who've faced dementia or Alzheimer's disease…
Philanthropist Mavis Leno — the wife of former late night host Jay Leno — has "advanced dementia," the comedian revealed in court documents in January 2024. The news was made public when Jay, who's been married to Mavis for more than four decades, filed for a conservatorship of his wife's estate.
"Unfortunately, Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years," the petition for the conservatorship stated, as reported by NBC News. "As Mavis's current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan, Jay has petitioned the Court to be appointed conservator of Mavis's estate for the sole purpose of filing a petition for substituted judgment on her behalf in order to ensure her desires concerning the disposition of her assets upon her death are realized."
Two months later in March 2024, new court filings revealed Mavis was continuing to decline. Her court-appointed counsel explained that she "sometimes does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth," according to a filing obtained by People magazine. The report also revealed that she "has a lot of disorientation, will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago." Yet despite the challenges, Mavis was described as a "delightful person" with a "charming personality," despite it being "clear she had cognitive impairment." Her counsel also described her relationship with Jay as "long-term, loving and supportive," noting Mavis sees Jay as "her protector and she trusts him."
Keep reading for more famous people who've suffered from Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease, or dementia, a condition characterized by progressive or persistent loss of intellectual functioning, in recent decades…
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Singer-actor Steve Lawrence — half of the iconic entertainment duo Steve & Eydie with late wife Eydie Gorme (who died in 2013) — passed away at 88 in March 2024 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
The Grammy and Emmy winner first publicly shared his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2019. "There have been a number of rumors and some press reaching out to me and I feel it's important that I tell my own truth: I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, and it's in the early stages," he said in a statement, adding that he was being treated by doctors hoping to slow his decline and was going out in public and spending as much time with friends and family while he still could.
"I want my beloved fans to know that in spite of this bittersweet moment, what I don't want is pity or sympathy. I have lived and am living a wonderful, joyous life filled with love, support and amazing moments," Steve continued.
"With my beloved Eydie, I had one of the great loves of all time; my career has always been there for me as a source of joy and fulfillment; and you, my fans, have shown immeasurable love and support in ways I only could have imagined," he added, also imploring his fans to "find the joy every day, because what I feel is gratitude, love and hope — nothing more and nothing less, and I hope you can find the same."
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Wendy Williams has long been open about her medical struggles, including the challenges she's faced with Graves' disease and lymphedema. In February 2024, her care team shared new details about her latest health battle: In 2023, the famed former talk show and radio host was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) — the same diagnoses another Hollywood star, actor Bruce Willis, received in recent years.
According to Wendy's care team, "Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life."
However, they added, "Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way."
On a February 2024 episode of Lifetime's "Where is Wendy Williams?" docuseries, the star's son, Kevin Hunter Jr., shared more about his mom's health battle, confirming Wendy is suffering from "alcohol-induced dementia."
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In February 2024, the family of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson filed for a conservatorship over the music legend because the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member is suffering from a "major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia)," court papers revealed.
"Following the passing of Brian's beloved wife Melinda [a few weeks ago], after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, [housekeeper] Gloria Ramos and Brian's doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian's co-conservators of the person," the rock star's family told People magazine in a statement.
"This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family," the statement added.
The music icon — who was 81 when the announcement was made — can still "enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses," his family noted.
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Nearly a year after Bruce Willis's family announced that the action movie star was retiring from acting in March 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension, they shared a heartbreaking new diagnosis: On Feb. 15, 2023, they shared that the "Die Hard" and "Moonlighting" star, who was 67 at the time, has dementia. "Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis," his family wrote on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website. FTD is the most common form of dementia. "Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead," the statement continued. "As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research."
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In October 2019, famed animal expert Jack Hanna was diagnosed with dementia that quickly progressed into Alzheimer's disease, his family announced in April 2021. In June 2023, the wildlife conservationist and educator's family told The Columbus Dispatch his disease had progressed from moderate to advanced and that he only remembered his wife, Suzi, dog Brassy, and sometimes daughter Kathaleen, the eldest of his three children, who also include Suzanne and Julie. "The Jack people knew isn't here anymore, but pieces of my husband are," Suzi said of the former director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. "And I'm going to hang onto them for as long as I can."
Suzi told the newspaper that she cherishes the late-morning, two-mile walks Jack takes with her every day as they've provided a sense of normalcy amid her family's heartbreak. "I remember the day this all officially started. The day the doctor told us what it was. I've just tried to hang on to the little pieces of Jack since then," Suzi said, further adding, "My husband is still in there somewhere. There are still those sweet, tender moments — you know, pieces of him that made me and the rest of the world fall in love with him. It's hard. Real hard some days. But he took care of me all those years, and so it's my turn to take care of him."
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Charles Osgood — the Emmy-winning journalist who spent 45 years at CBS News, led "CBS Sunday Morning" for more than two decades and hosted the radio news segment "The Osgood File" from 1971 to 2017 — died in January 2024 at his home in New Jersey at 91 after living with dementia for a number of years, CBS News confirmed.
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Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady of the United States, died at 96 on Nov. 19, 2023, two days two days after she entered hospice care and six months after her family announced that she'd been diagnosed with dementia.
On May 30, 2023, the Carter Center shared the news in a press release: "She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones," they said at the time. Rosalynn — the wife of 39th POTUS Jimmy Carter — has long been an advocate for mental health, which is affected by dementia. "We recognize, as she did more than half a century ago, that stigma is often a barrier that keeps individuals and their families from seeking and getting much-needed support," the Center continued. "We hope sharing our family's news will increase important conversations at kitchen tables and in doctor's offices around the country."
Six months later, in November 2023, grandson Jason Carter, who chairs the Carter Center, confirmed that Rosalynn had entered hospice care at 96 — nearly six months after her dementia diagnosis was announced and nine months after her husband, who turned 99 in 2023, started hospice care amid his own health issues. "She and President Carter are spending time with each other and their family," Jason said in a statement, adding, "The Carter family continues to ask for privacy and remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support."
Two days later, she was gone.
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In an interview with AARP The Magazine released in February 2021, the family of legendary singer Tony Bennett publicly revealed that the 19-time Grammy winner was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. "There's a lot about him that I miss," wife Susan — who is also Tony's caretaker — told the magazine, "because he's not the old Tony anymore. But when he sings, he's the old Tony."
The 19-time Grammy winner passed away in New York City on July 21, 2023. He was 96 years old.
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Bombshell actress Raquel Welch, whose career took off in the 1960s thanks to her work in films including "Fantastic Voyage" and "One Million Years B.C," passed away at 82 in February 2023 after what her rep called "a brief illness." In April 2023, TMZ obtained the famed beauty's death certificate, which revealed that she died from cardiac arrest — and that she'd had Alzheimer's disease for "years." Raquel's family had not previously publicly shared her battle with the condition, which was listed as a contributing factor in her death.
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Legendary "The Price is Right" host Bob Barker passed away at his Hollywood Hills home at 99 on Aug. 26, 2023.
Days later, TMZ and People magazine obtained a copy of his death certificate, which revealed for the first time publicly that the famed game show host had Alzheimer's disease, which the document said he'd had for "years." It was named as his cause of death.
High blood pressure, hypothyroidism and high cholesterol were listed as "other significant conditions" that contributed to the animal rights advocate's passing.
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Actress Stella Stevens — who appeared in 200 movies and TV shows including 1963's "The Nutty Professor" (pictured) and 1972's "The Poseidon Adventure" — died at 84 on Feb. 17, 2023, from Alzheimer's disease. "Alzheimer's is an insidious disease which affected not only my mother, but my grandmother and great aunt. Hopefully my mother's work will be remembered for her collaborations with some of the entertainment industry's biggest icons," her son, actor and producer Andrew Stevens, told CNN of Stella, who also co-starred with Elvis Presley in "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and won a New Star of the Year Golden Globe in 1960 after making her debut in "Say One for Me" with Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds.
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Chaim Topol — the Oscar- and Tony-nominated star of "Fiddler on the Roof" — died in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2023, at 87 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. According to son Omar, the actor — who also notably appeared in the films "For Your Eyes Only" and "Flash Gordon" — "successfully prevailed for a long time," Ynetnews reported, adding that Omar further shared that his dad was an "amazing actor who developed all kinds of tactics to cover up the problems that began to arise. When he won the Israel Prize [in 2015], his Alzheimer's was in its early stages. He spoke wonderfully at the ceremony, and also at other events, and no one even felt it."
Israel's President Isaac Herzog mourned Chaim's death, describing him as a "gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and especially entered deep into our hearts." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further mourned the loss, saying Chaim's "contribution to Israeli culture will continue to exist for generations."
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Actor Peter Falk, who was best known for his work as the titular detective on the hit TV show "Columbo," was diagnosed with dementia following a series of dental operations in late 2007 and spent the final years of his life suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease. The Oscar-nominated actor — a four-time Emmy winner — died at 83 in 2011.
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In 2002, Oscar-winning actor Charlton Heston publicly announced that doctors had confirmed he was "suffering symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease." The "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments" star explained, "For an actor, there is no greater loss than the loss of his audience. I can part the Red Sea, but I can't part with you, which is why I won't exclude you from this stage in my life." He vowed to work as long as he could but asked for grace. "If you see a little less spring to my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips, you'll know why," he said. "And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway." He died in 2008.
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In January 2022 — two weeks after he passed away at 94 at his Beverly Hills home — a death certificate for Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier was released. It revealed that he died from heart failure, with two underlying causes also noted: Alzheimer's dementia and prostate cancer.
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Joe E. Tata — the actor best known for playing beloved Peach Pit owner Nat on "Beverly Hills, 90210" for a decade — died in August 2022 after a years-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "After his final role on ABC Family's 'Mystery Girls,' my father's health took a turn for the worse [in 2014]," his daughter, Kelly Tata, shared in 2021 when she launched a GoFundMe page to help her be nearer him as his condition declined. "In 2018, he was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease." In the spring of 2022, Joe — who was under a conservatorship in the final years of his life — "was moved to a memory care facility called The Motion Picture Television Fund," she wrote. "He isn't saying much these days, but I know my presence has certainly lifted his spirits… and his mine." By July 2022, Joe was "less and less talkative," Kelly wrote in another update, "but [he] still recognizes me, between naps," she added. He passed away not long after.
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"St. Elsewhere" and "Serpico" actor David Birney — who starred alongside future ex-wife Meredith Baxter on the lauded yet short-lived '70s sitcom "Bridget Loves Bernie" — had Alzheimer's in the final years of his life. His partner and caretaker, Michele Roberge, revealed the stage and screen actor's diagnosis in December 2017. She also confirmed to The New York Times that his April 2022 death was due to the disease.
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In March 2021, legal documents obtained by Page Six revealed that former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" husband Tom Girardi — whom Bravo star Erika Jayne served with divorce papers in 2020 — had just been diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The news came a few months after he was hospitalized for a "serious illness" and as the former trial lawyer's brother worked to be named his conservator amid a slew of legal troubles as well as his ongoing divorce from Erika.
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After two decades of suffering symptoms, Hollywood siren Rita Hayworth was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1980. "It was just so horrible to watch. She had to know. She had to know her mind was being robbed," the "Gilda" star's daughter and caretaker, Yasmin Aga Khan, told The Washington Post two years after the movie star's 1987 death, adding that "the family feels so helpless." Rita's diagnosis being made public in the '80s has been credited with significantly raising awareness of the disease.
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Former President Ronald Reagan in 1994 revealed he had Alzheimer's disease. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he wrote in a letter addressed to his "Fellow Americans." The former Hollywood star explained that he and wife Nancy Reagan publicly disclosed the news of his diagnosis in hopes of shining a light on the disease. "In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater awareness of this condition," he added. "Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are affected by it." He died a decade later.
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It wasn't until after the 2016 death of comedy legend Gene Wilder that the world learned he'd suffered from Alzheimer's disease. When the star of "The Producers," "Young Frankenstein," and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" passed away, his family revealed he'd been diagnosed three years earlier but that it "was his choice" not to disclose his illness in part because he didn't want to disappoint "the countless young children that would smile or call out to him, 'There's Willy Wonka.'" According to his family's statement, "He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."
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Country music star Glen Campbell in 2011 announced that he had Alzheimer's disease. He and his family chronicled his journey as he went on a goodbye tour in 2012 — though he struggled to remember his lyrics, he remarkably did not lose the ability to play guitar. Glen also starred in a 2014 documentary focused on his final concert trek and how he coped with his illness, "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me." He died in 2017, six years after his diagnosis.
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Athlete Sugar Ray Robinson — the five-time world middleweight boxing champion considered by many to be the best fighter of all time – died in 1989 while suffering from Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
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Charles Bronson, the "Death Wish" franchise actor with a penchant for tough-guy roles, suffered from Alzheimer's disease in the final years of his life, according to multiple media outlets. His family confirmed the diagnosis in 2001, DailyMail.com reported. He died in 2003.
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Oscar-nominated Emmy winner Burgess Meredith — who memorably starred in "Of Mice and Men" and played The Penguin on TV's "Batman" series as well as trainer Mickey in the "Rocky" film franchise during his six-decade career — lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease in 1997.
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Famed American painter Norman Rockwell died in 1978 after suffering from dementia and, according to many reports, Alzheimer's disease.
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Juliana of the Netherlands — the country's queen from 1948 until her abdication in 1980 who was one of the most popular members of the Dutch royal family in history — suffered from Alzheimer's disease ahead of her 2004 death, husband Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld confirmed in 2001.
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Singer Perry Como — who entertained fans for decades with his dulcet tones on hits like "Catch a Falling Star" as well as countless Christmas songs — died in 2001 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease in his final years.
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David Prowse — the British bodybuilder-turned-actor who physically brought "Star Wars" villain Darth Vader to life in the franchise's early films (James Earl Jones provided the character's voice) — died from COVID-19 in 2020, but his daughter confirmed to The Sun that he'd previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in his later years.
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According to The Guardian, famed Dutch-born painter Willem de Kooning was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease more than a decade before his 1997 death.
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Actor Al Brown, who's best known for his role as Baltimore Police Commissioner Stanislaus "Stan" Valchek on HBO's "The Wire," died in Las Vegas on Jan. 13, 2023, after a battle with Alzheimer's, daughter Jenny confirmed to TMZ. The actor — a 29-year Air Force veteran who served two tours in Vietnam before forging his Hollywood career — was 83.
