10 Successful People Who Have Dyslexia
Students with dyslexia who struggle through school may have difficulty looking toward their futures. Their current reading struggles may inhibit them from recognizing their ability to be successful. Showing your students examples of successful people with dyslexia, especially if they have heard of them, can help them see that they don't have to be held down by their learning disabilities.
1. Henry Winkler
Most well-known for his role of Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli in "Happy Days," Henry Winkler is also outspoken about his dyslexia. He was undiagnosed until he was 31 years old, but he worked hard to graduate high school and college and to pursue his acting career. In 2013, Winkler began co-authoring the children's books "Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever." The books are about a young boy with dyslexia who Winkler based on himself.
2. Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey, star of "Grey's Anatomy," was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 12 years old. In a 2006 interview with Barbara Walters, Dempsey said, "It's given me a perspective of, you have to keep working. I have never given up." Dempsey also says that he still struggles with reading his scripts and that he needs to memorize before moving forward.
3. Tommy Hilfiger
Fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger often acted out as the class clown in school because he didn't want anyone to know that he didn't understand the material. He says he still has trouble reading because of his dyslexia. "I have to concentrate very hard at going left to right, left to right, otherwise my eye just wanders to the bottom of the page."
4. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg struggled throughout school and was teased for being "stupid." It wasn't until she was an adult that she was diagnosed with dyslexia and started working with a teacher who helped her learn some strategies for overcoming her difficulties. Goldberg has had a successful career as a comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, political activist, and talk show host and has won Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy awards.
5. Erin Brockovich
Undiagnosed until adulthood, Erin Brockovich struggled through school because of her dyslexia. As an adolescent, she was told that she wasn't likely to finish college. While she did earn her Associates' degree, Brockovich's success started with her work as a file clerk for a law firm. Despite her struggles with reading, she combed through thousands of pages of medical records and legal briefs to help win the multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit that inspired the movie bearing her name. Brockovich is now a consumer advocate and environmental activist.
6. Orlando Bloom
Of his dyslexia, Orlando Bloom says, "I had to work three times as hard to get two-thirds of the way." Through his own hard work and the support and help of his mom, Bloom was able to overcome his learning disability and build a successful acting career. He has appeared and starred in a number of films, including the "Lord of the Rings" series and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series.
7. Danny Glover
Danny Glover spent a lot of time in his young adulthood tutoring inner city kids. He understood the importance of education because of his own struggles stemming from his undiagnosed dyslexia. He also suffered from epilepsy in his adolescence and young adulthood. Glover has worked hard and has been a successful actor, director, and activist since 1979. He is well-known for playing Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" series.
8. Barbara Corcoran
The "Shark Tank" entrepreneur known for turning a $1,000 loan into a multi-billion dollar real estate business had difficulties throughout school. While Barbara Corcoran still struggled with reading, her determination, hard work, and imagination allowed her to push forward and build her successful business. Corcoran was never diagnosed with dyslexia, but when her son was diagnosed in second grade, she finally understood her own difficulties.
9. Jay Leno
Late night talk show host, Jay Leno took a positive approach to his dyslexia. He always knew he would have to work harder, so that's what he did. By focusing on his strengths, talking and telling silly stories, Leno created a successful career as a comedian.
10. Vince Vaughn
Comedic actor, Vince Vaughn was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child. He credits his success to his disabilities because of how they pushed him to work hard. Vaughn believes he would not have attained his current success if not for his dyslexia and ADHD.
While dyslexia can make life a little more difficult and students will likely need to work twice as hard as their non-learning disabled peers, it does prevent your students from being successful in school and in the future. Giving your students real examples of successful people with dyslexia will help them see the promise in their futures.
Joslyn Fresay is the Founder and CEO of EasyWayPaper, an educational firm that specializes in tutoring, test prep and enrichment programs for students in grades Pre-K through College. Joslyn has more than 7 years of teaching experience. She holds a BA in Spanish Literature and a Maser's Degree in Education. She is a certified elementary teacher and Wilson Reading Specialist.
1. Henry Winkler
Most well-known for his role of Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli in "Happy Days," Henry Winkler is also outspoken about his dyslexia. He was undiagnosed until he was 31 years old, but he worked hard to graduate high school and college and to pursue his acting career. In 2013, Winkler began co-authoring the children's books "Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever." The books are about a young boy with dyslexia who Winkler based on himself.
2. Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey, star of "Grey's Anatomy," was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 12 years old. In a 2006 interview with Barbara Walters, Dempsey said, "It's given me a perspective of, you have to keep working. I have never given up." Dempsey also says that he still struggles with reading his scripts and that he needs to memorize before moving forward.
3. Tommy Hilfiger
Fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger often acted out as the class clown in school because he didn't want anyone to know that he didn't understand the material. He says he still has trouble reading because of his dyslexia. "I have to concentrate very hard at going left to right, left to right, otherwise my eye just wanders to the bottom of the page."
4. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg struggled throughout school and was teased for being "stupid." It wasn't until she was an adult that she was diagnosed with dyslexia and started working with a teacher who helped her learn some strategies for overcoming her difficulties. Goldberg has had a successful career as a comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, political activist, and talk show host and has won Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy awards.
5. Erin Brockovich
Undiagnosed until adulthood, Erin Brockovich struggled through school because of her dyslexia. As an adolescent, she was told that she wasn't likely to finish college. While she did earn her Associates' degree, Brockovich's success started with her work as a file clerk for a law firm. Despite her struggles with reading, she combed through thousands of pages of medical records and legal briefs to help win the multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit that inspired the movie bearing her name. Brockovich is now a consumer advocate and environmental activist.
6. Orlando Bloom
Of his dyslexia, Orlando Bloom says, "I had to work three times as hard to get two-thirds of the way." Through his own hard work and the support and help of his mom, Bloom was able to overcome his learning disability and build a successful acting career. He has appeared and starred in a number of films, including the "Lord of the Rings" series and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series.
7. Danny Glover
Danny Glover spent a lot of time in his young adulthood tutoring inner city kids. He understood the importance of education because of his own struggles stemming from his undiagnosed dyslexia. He also suffered from epilepsy in his adolescence and young adulthood. Glover has worked hard and has been a successful actor, director, and activist since 1979. He is well-known for playing Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" series.
8. Barbara Corcoran
The "Shark Tank" entrepreneur known for turning a $1,000 loan into a multi-billion dollar real estate business had difficulties throughout school. While Barbara Corcoran still struggled with reading, her determination, hard work, and imagination allowed her to push forward and build her successful business. Corcoran was never diagnosed with dyslexia, but when her son was diagnosed in second grade, she finally understood her own difficulties.
9. Jay Leno
Late night talk show host, Jay Leno took a positive approach to his dyslexia. He always knew he would have to work harder, so that's what he did. By focusing on his strengths, talking and telling silly stories, Leno created a successful career as a comedian.
10. Vince Vaughn
Comedic actor, Vince Vaughn was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child. He credits his success to his disabilities because of how they pushed him to work hard. Vaughn believes he would not have attained his current success if not for his dyslexia and ADHD.
While dyslexia can make life a little more difficult and students will likely need to work twice as hard as their non-learning disabled peers, it does prevent your students from being successful in school and in the future. Giving your students real examples of successful people with dyslexia will help them see the promise in their futures.
Joslyn Fresay is the Founder and CEO of EasyWayPaper, an educational firm that specializes in tutoring, test prep and enrichment programs for students in grades Pre-K through College. Joslyn has more than 7 years of teaching experience. She holds a BA in Spanish Literature and a Maser's Degree in Education. She is a certified elementary teacher and Wilson Reading Specialist.
Go to Profile
Mark as Read