Famous People Who Overcame Dyslexia


Famous People Who Overcame Dyslexia

Jennifer Aniston

Who knew one of America’s best TV Friends has dyslexia? Aniston herself didn’t know until she was in her 20s. She says finding out explained why it was so hard to read back in school and why she chose the role of class clown over teacher’s pet. The diagnosis answered a lot of questions. "I felt like all my childhood trauma-dies, tragedies, dramas, were explained," she told The Hollywood Reporter.

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Tom Cruise

Famous actor and film producer

He was diagnosed with dyslexia at 7, and at high school could still barely read. “I had to train myself to focus my attention. I became very visual and learned how to create mental images in order to comprehend what I read.”


Steve Jobs

Co-Founder of Apple Inc

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in a square hole…..the ones who see things differently – they’re not fond of rules…. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Think Different


Ronald D Davis

Founder of Davis Dyslexia Association

“Dyslexia is not a complexity; it is a series of simple factors which can be dealt with step by step.”


Richard Branson

Founder of Virgin

Being dyslexic can actually help in the outside world. I see some things clearer than other people do because I have to simplify things to help me and that has helped others.”


Agatha Christie

Mystery writer and playwright

“Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so.”


Magic Johnson

American pro basket baller - retired

From a young age, Magic struggled to read and write, performing badly at school. For him, this early challenge spurred him on to work harder to be the best. Being a great communicator, he aspired to be a TV commentator but he was discovered through college basketball and drafted into the NBA. He went on to become one of the greatest basketball players of his time.


Henry Winkler

Actor, producer and director

Best known for his role as ‘the Fonz’ in Happy Days. He was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 31. He has written a series of children's books, made into a TV series about a 4th grade boy – Hank Zipster – who is dyslexic



Jamie Oliver

Celebrity chef

Famous celebrity Chef who has created an empire. Jamie did not read a book until he was 23 years old.