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.
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.