70 Famous Dyslexics

June 2nd, 2008 · 7 Comments · Tagged as Popular Culture

Dyslexia is a learning disability that can often be devastating if untreated. People who suffer from dyslexia primarily have trouble with written language, both reading and writing. Despite having this affliction, many people overcome it to lead normal and successful lives. We’ve compiled a list of 70 well known people who suffered (or were thought to suffer) from dyslexia, some of whom will definitely surprise you. On to the list:

Scott AdamsScott Adams
The trained hypnotist, vegetarian and creator of the comic strip “Dilbert” noticed his dyslexia when he worked as a bank teller and couldn’t get his totals to balance at the end of the day.

Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
The boxer barely graduated from high school and also has a daughter who is dyslexic.

Harry AndersonHarry Anderson
He played Judge Harry Stone on “Night Court” and was able to deal with his dyslexia enough to be valedictorian on his high school class.

Tim ArmstrongTim Armstrong
Rancid’s singer/guitarist has never had a driver’s license or bank account due to his dyslexia.

Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell
The inventor of the telephone reportedly overcome his dyslexia.

Billy BlanksBilly Blanks
He created exercise craze Tae-Bo but struggled early on when he was placed in special education classes due to undiagnosed dyslexia.

Orlando BloomOrlando Bloom
The actor once said, “Dyslexia is not due to lack of intelligence, it’s a lack of access. It’s like, if you’re dyslexic, you have all the information you need, but find it harder to process.” He now considers himself “mildly dyslexic.”

Laura Flynn BoyleLaura Flynn Boyle
Known for her role in “The Practice” from 1997 to 2003.

Richard BransonRichard Branson
He dropped out of school at age 16 after doing poorly in school but later founded the very successful Virgin Records.

Erin BrockovichErin Brockovich
She struggled in school and wasn’t diagnosed until later in life. She helped win a $333 million class action lawsuit that is the largest in U.S. history.

Click here for 70 Famous Dyslexics: 11-30

Click here for 70 Famous Dyslexics: 31-50

Click here for 70 Famous Dyslexics: 51-70

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That was a kickass article. What do I do now?

7 responses so far ↓

  • Rockstar Sid // Jun 3, 2008 at 6:54 am

    Great collection :-)

    Stumbled!

  • Cyrious Garnetski // Jun 3, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Dyslexia seems to be a common occurrence. It probably effects everyone at some point in their life. I am not dyslexic and yet I am constantly reading about the Hardon Collider. What does that mean?

  • me // Jun 3, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    I am a dyslexic and I want other dyslexic people to know that they should learn Chinese. The chinese character system is great for us (simplified).

  • Exposed SEO // Jun 3, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Who is the famous movie star with dyslexia? He learns all his scripts from tapes? Can’t remember his name :(

  • Maing // Jun 3, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    The inventor of the telephone is Antonio Meucci

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Meucci

  • Callie // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    When one has problems with numbers it is not dyslexia but dyscalculia. A similar sort of deal though. Dyscalculaics are generally fantastic with language but horrible with grammar. Horrible at math in general but may be very brilliant in geometry. The entry on Scott Adams seems to refer to this rather than Dyslexia.

  • Dyslexia Community // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    I don’t know if it’s just alphabetical order, but Scott Adams is an excellent lead.

    Have these people really “overcame dyslexia”? Perhaps they’re who they are because of it.

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