Celebrities Who Have Been Diagnosed with ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5,000 people in the U.S. are told they have the disease each year, though exact numbers are unknown.

Initially, patients can experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech which can later progress into losing the ability to speak, eat, walk and breathe independently, per the Mayo Clinic.

People usually live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, though some can live decades. There is no cure for the disease.

ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease for the famed New York Yankees player who raised awareness for the disease after his diagnosis, with his memorable speech declaring himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth," does not have an exact known cause. It has affected thousands over the years, including notable names such as jazz musician Charles Mingus, former NFL player Steve Gleason, guitarist John Driskell Hopkins and most recently, Eric Dane, many of whom have shared their experience.

Read on to learn more about their stories.

Related: Ice Bucket Challenge Raises Over $100 Million for ALS Research

Eric Dane

In April 2025, Eric Dane told PEOPLE exclusively that he had been diagnosed with ALS, stating, “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”

“I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” the Grey's Anatomy alum continued. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”

Aaron Lazar

Broadway actor Aaron Lazar revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with ALS.

After sharing his diagnosis, Lazar released a debut album, titled Impossible Dream, where he was joined by the likes of Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Leslie Odom Jr., Kelli O'Hara, Kate Baldwin, Norm Lewis, Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda and many more. The album also featured a duet with fellow Broadway actor Rebecca Luker, who died in 2020 just 10 months after receiving her own ALS diagnosis.

Proceeds from the album, which was later nominated for a Grammy, also raised money to benefit the ALS Network.

Eric Stevens

Eric Stevens, a former NFL player who later became a firefighter, was diagnosed with ALS at 29 — just one month after his wedding day to his longtime love, Amanda.

"The diagnosis and subsequent education they received about the horrific disease was the worst news one could ever imagine," a description on a Facebook page set up for Stevens reads.

A year later, the couple shared that they were expecting their first child together.

"It was just the good news that we've been waiting for and what we really needed," Amanda told PEOPLE. "It gives us something to look forward to… We want her to come tomorrow!"

Their daughter, Peyton James, was born January 5, 2021.

Eric and Amanda founded AXE ALS, an organization helping to raise money for ALS research. Per AXE ALS's website, Stevens "can still sing to his two year old daughter Peyton, read her books, and teach her about animals, birds, sports and the many other things he loves."

John Driskell Hopkins

Founding member and bassist for Zac Brown Band, John Driskell Hopkins, shared his diagnosis in 2022 through a video message to fans.

"Over the past several years, I've noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands. After careful analysis by some of the country's top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS. Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing going forward," Hopkins, then 51, shared.

"God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come," he continued.

As of February 2025, Hopkins was still performing — hitting the stage at the 2025 Game Changer Gala in New Orleans.

Joe Bonsall

In January 2024, Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall shared that he was retiring from touring after "battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. "

In July of that year, Bonsall died at 76 due to ALS complications and though he opted not to have a funeral, asked for donations to be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.

Roberta Flack

In 2022, it was announced that Roberta Flack had been diagnosed with ALS and that it had become "impossible" for her to sing.

"It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon," a spokesperson for the singer-songwriter told PEOPLE at the time. "Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired."

In February 2025, the Grammy-winner died at 88.

Kenneth Mitchell

Kenneth Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS in 2018, and shared the news publicly with PEOPLE in 2020.

"I'm just getting more comfortable with what's happening with me," he said at the time. "I think there's something I can offer and I want to be a part of that. A lot of people helped me along the way, through my actions, or if I can inspire one person that would mean a lot to me."

In February 2024, five years after being diagnosed, Mitchell died at 49.

“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS," his family said in a statement. "And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.”

Stephen Hillenburg

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS in March 2017. He died the following year at age 57.

“Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere," a statement from Nickelodeon said at the time. "His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination.”

Rebecca Luker

Rebecca Luker made her Broadway debut in 1988 when she joined the cast of Phantom of the Opera, ultimately taking over the lead role of Christine in 1989.

She was first nominated for a Tony in 1995 for her role as Magnolia in Show Boat and was later nominated for her leading role in The Music Man in 2000, and again in 2007 for Mary Poppins.

In February 2020, Luker revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS, writing, "Hello friends. I have some tough news. Late last year I was diagnosed with ALS. I have the best medical care in the world and the greatest support," thanking in particular her “dear husband” Danny Burstein.

Just 10 months after sharing the news, Luker died. She was 59.

Kim Shattuck

Kim Shattuck, lead guitarist for the punk rock band The Muffs and onetime bassist for the Pixies, was diagnosed with ALS in her 50s. In October 2019, her husband Kevin Sutherland shared that she had died "after a two-year struggle" with the illness.

“I am the man I am today because of her," he wrote in part in a post that was re-shared by Shattuck’s former bandmate and good friend Melanie Vammen. "She will live with all of us through her music, our shared memories and in her fierce creative spirit. I love you always my Kimmy. Thank you for sharing your life with me.”

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was a 21-year-old student at Cambridge University when he was diagnosed with ALS. He went on to become a famous physicist who would change how the world thought about cosmology.

His 1988 bestselling book, A Brief History of Time, featured a "theory of everything," which later inspired an Oscar-winning film by the same name.

Hawking died on March 14, 2018. He was 76.

"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years," a statement from his family read. "His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world."

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