Celebrities with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Celebrities with Rheumatoid Arthritis

From actors like Kathleen Turner to sports legends like Terry Bradshaw, celebrities have spoken out about living with rheumatoid arthritis. Your immune system normally protects you from infection, but in some people the immune response turns against the body’s own tissues. That autoimmune reaction causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic condition that inflames and damages joints, producing swelling, pain, stiffness, and over time possible joint changes.

Globally, trusted sources like the WHO estimate millions live with RA worldwide. The Arthritis Foundation also notes that women are about three times more likely than men to develop RA, and most diagnoses happen between roughly ages 30 and 60.

Below are nine public figures who’ve shared their journeys — their symptoms, diagnosis stories, treatments, and how they’ve kept working and raising awareness about this disease. If you recognize persistent joint pain or other symptoms, consider talking with a doctor about diagnosis and treatment options.

1. Kathleen Turner

“It is important to me that people know they have options so they can get some relief from this debilitating disease,” Kathleen Turner — a two-time Golden Globe winner known for roles in Body Heat and Crimes of Passion — told USA Today.

Turner was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1992, when she was in her late 30s — a reminder that RA can affect people who are still in the prime of their careers and active lives.

Over the next 12 years she underwent 12 surgeries and faced a bleak prognosis — at one point doctors warned she might end up in a wheelchair. That experience helped shape her advocacy for better awareness and options for people living with the disease.

Rather than accept that outcome, Turner sought other approaches and found that regular Pilates helped her stay active — “Pilates saved my life,” she told the Daily Mail.

Her story highlights two points: RA can strike at different ages and, thanks to advances in treatment and symptom-management strategies (medication, exercise, and in some cases surgery), many people now find relief and can continue their careers and daily activities.

2. Aida Turturro

Many people assume arthritis is only an older-person condition, but RA can begin at any age. Actress Aida Turturro — known for her work on the HBO series “The Sopranos” — was diagnosed when she was about 12 years old, underscoring how early the disease can start.

“We were at the beach, and my father literally had to carry me to the water because my feet hurt so much,” she told USA Today in 2000.

As of recent years she has continued to appear on television, including roles on series such as “The Blacklist.” Turturro stresses the importance of early care: “It is so important to go see a rheumatologist so you can get the right treatment,” she says.

Practical takeaway: if you or a loved one — regardless of age — notice persistent joint pain, swelling, or unexplained symptoms, see a doctor for evaluation and timely diagnosis so treatment can begin early.

3. Camryn Manheim

Camryn Manheim first noticed sharp, stabbing pains in her hands, but it took about eight months before she had a clear answer. The pain began in a very public moment — while she used sign language during her child’s classroom performance — which made the symptoms impossible to ignore.

“I was feeling aches and pains in my hands, which was upsetting to me because I’m a sign-language interpreter — I use my hands all the time,” Manheim explained. She also experienced fatigue and difficulty with everyday tasks: “I could hold a pen or a cup of coffee, but it was difficult.”

After a series of tests, the answer was rheumatoid arthritis. Manheim — known for roles on series like “Ghost Whisperer” and “The Practice” — says the diagnosis was a shock: “When [my doctor] told me it was rheumatoid arthritis, I said that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m too young.”

The diagnosis allowed her and her doctor to create a targeted treatment plan, and she emphasizes that getting the right diagnosis early made it possible to manage symptoms and continue her career and daily life.

Practical note: persistent hand pain, stiffness, or unexplained fatigue are common early symptoms of RA — if you experience them, see a doctor for evaluation so you can begin treatment sooner rather than later.

4. Kristy McPherson

A golfer’s swing depends on many joints working in harmony — which is why Kristy McPherson’s story stands out. The South Carolina native and LPGA pro was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was about 11 years old, showing how RA can appear in childhood and still allow for a successful sports career.

“It seemed like the end of the world,” she told Golf Digest, describing months when she was bedridden and could not walk because of severe symptoms.

Instead of ending her ambitions, early diagnosis and management helped McPherson find a new focus: golf. “Getting sick was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said, noting that the LPGA gave her a career she might not otherwise have pursued.

Her journey highlights that people diagnosed with RA at a young age can still build long careers and meaningful lives when they receive appropriate care and adapt training and routines to manage the condition.

5. Megan Park

On screen, Megan Park played a confident cheerleader on ABC’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” Off screen, she was managing a very different reality: she’d been living with rheumatoid arthritis for about a decade before going public.

“I had all the classic symptoms: extreme joint swelling, different pain, the inability to do certain things that everyone else could,” Park told People in 2015, explaining how symptoms affected her daily life and work.

When she revealed her diagnosis, Park said she hoped the disclosure would help other people feel less alone and reduce the stigma around chronic illness in the entertainment world. She’s described the experience as making her more empathetic and informed in her acting.

Practical takeaway: sharing a diagnosis can raise awareness and encourage others to seek help — if you notice persistent joint swelling or unusual pain, talk to a doctor about testing and treatment options so you can protect your health and career.

6. James Coburn

James Coburn — an actor known for westerns like “The Magnificent Seven” and “Hell Is for Heroes” — was temporarily sidelined when severe joint pain made working intolerable. “There was so much pain that … every time I stood up, I would break into a sweat,” he told ABC News.

Coburn was diagnosed with a form of arthritis at a time when modern RA treatments were less developed. He experimented with an alternative treatment that reportedly helped reduce his pain and let him return to acting.

His story illustrates how joint pain and limited options in earlier decades could disrupt a career, while also underscoring that different approaches — ideally supervised by a doctor or rheumatologist — can help people manage symptoms and continue working.

Practical note: if you have persistent joint pain that affects work or daily life, consult a health professional about diagnosis and evidence-based treatments rather than self-prescribing unverified remedies.

7. Tatum O’Neal

Tatum O’Neal shot to fame as a child star — in 1974 she became the youngest actor to win an Oscar for Paper Moon — and later faced health challenges when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

O’Neal has spoken publicly about her symptoms and treatments. In 2015 she

of a pulmonary function test after doctors raised concerns that a medication used to treat her RA might be affecting her lungs.

“I’ve got to get ahead of it,” she told the Arthritis Foundation, emphasizing the importance of monitoring treatment side effects and having a trusted support network.

Her experience highlights two key points: people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis should be monitored for medication side effects, and speaking publicly can help raise awareness so others seek timely diagnosis and care.

Practical takeaway: if you’re on RA medication and notice new respiratory symptoms or other unexpected issues, contact your doctor promptly to review your treatment plan and testing options.

8. Terry Bradshaw

‘ Jason LaVeris / Contributor/Getty Images’

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis later in life. With appropriate treatment he was able to continue a busy schedule — including work as a Fox NFL Saturday commentator — showing that diagnosis and care can let people keep working and stay active in their careers.

Bradshaw has used his profile to raise awareness about RA, partnering with organizations such as the

and serving as a spokesperson for campaigns like the Simple Tasks Awareness initiative in 2017 and 2018 to help more people get diagnosed and treated.

His advocacy highlights how public figures and stars can raise awareness, break down stereotypes about who gets RA, and encourage people — regardless of age — to seek medical advice when they notice symptoms.

If you or someone you know has persistent joint pain or stiffness that interferes with work or daily life, consider talking to a doctor or rheumatologist about diagnosis and treatment options — early care can make a big difference.

9. Lucille Ball

Walt Disney Television Photo Archives / Contributor/Getty Images

According to her autobiography Love, Lucy, Lucille Ball experienced a teenage episode of arthritis around age 17 that some readers and historians have suggested could have been rheumatoid arthritis. The account describes symptoms that required physician care and temporary injections.

Ball recovered from that episode and went on to a decades-long career in acting and television, most famously leading the hit show I Love Lucy. However, there is no public record of a later confirmed RA diagnosis via blood tests, and she did not report recurring flare-ups in her later years.

Because historical accounts can reflect limited testing and changing medical terminology, her case is best described as a reported or possible early arthritis episode rather than a confirmed lifelong RA diagnosis.

Takeaway: Lucille Ball’s story shows how arthritis symptoms have been documented differently over the years — and how, even when symptoms appear, people can go on to build long careers and lives with the right care and support.

Takeaway

These nine celebrities show the range of experiences with rheumatoid arthritis — from early-onset cases to later-life diagnoses — and they illustrate that with the right care many people can continue their careers and enjoy a full life.

Today, management options for this condition include evidence-based medication, tailored exercise programs, and dietary strategies that can bring significant relief. In some cases surgery is part of care, and monitoring for medication side effects is important.

Practical advice: if you notice persistent joint pain, swelling, or fatigue, see a doctor or rheumatologist to pursue diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Public figures who speak up help raise awareness and encourage people — especially women, who are affected more often — to get evaluated and treated as early as possible.

For reliable resources and support, consider organizations like the Arthritis Foundation or the American College of Rheumatology. With timely care, many people around the world can manage symptoms and return to the activities they value.