Famous People with ADHD - ADHD Embrace (2024)

ADHD has the reputation of making its owner unfocused and unable to concentrate, it is overlooked that individuals with ADHD can apply an immersive, dogged focus to an area that interests themor for which they have apassion.

This ‘hyperfocus’and ‘being passionate’has allowedmany individuals, despite the challenges of ADHD,tobecome incrediblysuccessful andfamouswithin their fieldsthroughdevelopingtheiruniquestrengths.

To show you that ADHD does not need to hold you back, here is our ADHD Hall of Fameof celebrities, sportspeople, artists,businessmenand scientists:

EmmaWatson, Actress

Emma Watsonis an actress who has appeared in 15 films, gained straightAsat GCSE, A Level and has a degree in English Literature from Oxford University.She is a Brown University alumnus and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. She was also diagnosed with combined/hyperactive type ADHD.

While Emma hasn’t spoken openly about the condition, ADHD Foundation said in a Facebook post that she had been diagnosed and medicated since childhood while filming the Harry Potter series. In addition, her range of accomplishments in both cinema and women’s rights, along with her undeniable poise and elegance, remind us that even Renaissance women have ADHD.

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RoryBremner, Satirist & Comedian

RoryBremnerhas had a long and successful career astheUK’s most famous satirist and impressionist.He wasdiagnosed with ADHD as an adult after recognising symptoms in hisdiagnosednephewthat hesawin himself. Describing ADHD as “being my worst enemy and my best friend” heacknowledgesthe challenges but also the advantages “it allows meto make leaps of logic and think outside of the box. Among comedians, particularly when improvising, it’s usefultohave a brain that’s ‘freer’ and comparatively uninhibited.”

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AntMcPartlin, TV Presenter

Ant was diagnosed with ADHD in 2018 after atumultuous time in his life.

In an interview with The Sun when he was first spoke about his condition, Ant talked abouttheuniquebenefits of the condition:“I was so thoroughly examined and diagnosed, I found stuff out about me I hadn’t addressed for years.
“There’s a lot of characteristics that held me in good stead working in live television. Richard [Bacon] said the same. In my job, having what they call ‘popcorn thinking’ is good because it means you can jump from one thing to another. Professionally, it’s brilliant. Personally, I’m all over the place.”

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Jamie Oliver, Chef

Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most famous celebrity chefs, was diagnosed with ADHD during his childhood. He is a champion for spreading the word on healthy eating and advocated for the use of dietand proper nutrition toward managing the symptomsof ADHD.

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BillGates, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Bill Gates, born in 1955 is the founder of Microsoft, and has a net worth ofmanybillions. He also chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private charitable foundation which has so far donated $35.8 billion to charity. Hehastalkedabout dropping out of Harvard as he was itching to start Microsoft at the beginning of the personal computer revolution in an interview with This Morning in 2016. He also discusses his constant activity and extremely busy schedule in an interview with Warren Buffet.

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Walt Disney,King of the animation industry

Walt Disney was one of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time as his presence is still felt evenover50 years after his death.He founded the Walt Disney Corporation and pioneered the animation industry where he wasanimator, writer, voice actor, and film producer.He took what were crude drawings and turned them into a brand that is now instantly recognizable worldwide. With ADHD, he was able to build an empirein animated films and also expanded into amusem*nt parks,makingproductsthat people love and want.

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Ryan Gosling, Actor

As a child, Ryan Gosling was diagnosed with ADHD and had trouble reading. He was bullied at school and didn’t have any friends until he was a teenager. Concerned, his mumhomeschooledhim for a year. Shortly afterward, he began acting. Of his 2006 Oscar nomination, Gosling says, “It meant a lot to me because it meant a lot to the people that I love. Especially my mother … she’s been fighting [for me] since I was born.”

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Michael Phelps, Swimmer

Michael Phelps isone ofthe most decorated Olympians. But swimming isn’t just a winning sport for Phelps; it’s a way for him to cope with his ADHD. His mother described her son’s exhibition of classic ADHD symptoms: not sitting still or being able to focus. However, hechannelledthat into swimming, and with “continuous praise and positive reinforcement” Phelps had the encouragement he needed to score the golds. Watch thisvideoof him talking about his ADHD struggles. 

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Channing Tatum, Actor

Channing Tatum is one of the most widely recognized celebrities. He also happens to be an actor who has publicly shared his struggles with ADHD during his childhoodand how his struggles at school affected him. In fact, he continues to work through related difficulties as an adult. His ADHD has not stopped him from starring in many critically acclaimed moviesand being at the top of the Hollywood game.

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Richard Bacon, TV Presenter

Richard Bacon has spoken at length in public about his ADHD. The successful TV presenter was diagnosed at the age of 42. “MY ADHD is who I am. I wouldn’t change my ADHD for the world. “And talking about his late diagnosis as an adult “It’s a relief to be diagnosed. I’m so much better, I’m sleeping a lot better, only drinking a couple of times a week and a lot less.”

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Albert Einstein, Physicist & Mathematician

Albert Einstein is acknowledged to be one of the greatest physicists of all time. Although it can’t be proven, many scholars and historians believe thatEinsteinone of the greatest minds of all-time, hadADHD.Einstein was a German physicist and mathematician who developed the special and general theories of relativity. In 1921, he won the Nobel Prize for physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.

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We didn’t have space in our Hall of Fame for the sheer number of celebrities with ADHD,but here are a few more!Scott Kelly (astronaut),Will Smith(Actor),Britney Spears(Musician),Justin Timberlake(Musician),Lily Allen(Actress), Jordan Stephens(Performer),Louis Smith(Olympic Gymnast),Heston Blumenthal(Chef),Lee Mack(Comedian),Mark Ruffalo(Actor), Ben Whittaker (Boxer & Olympian), Winston Churchill(Politician and former UK Prime Minister),Liv Tyler(Actress),Zayn Malik(Singer),Adam Lavine(Singer),Will.i.am(Musician)are just a few individuals who have had immense success despite having ADHD.

Famous People with ADHD - ADHD Embrace (2024)

FAQs

Who is the most famous person with ADHD? ›

Celebrities With ADD/ADHD
  • Simone Biles. 1/12. U.S. Olympic champion Simone Biles took to Twitter to let the world know she has ADHD. ...
  • Michael Phelps. 2/12. ...
  • Justin Timberlake. 3/12. ...
  • will.i.am. 4/12. ...
  • Adam Levine. 5/12. ...
  • Howie Mandel. 6/12. ...
  • James Carville. 7/12. ...
  • Ty Pennington. 8/12.
Mar 16, 2023

What is the best lifestyle for someone with ADHD? ›

Lifestyle Strategies for Adult ADHD
  • Learn all you can about ADHD. This will help you and your family understand and manage it better.
  • Stay organized. Make lists by using a calendar, journal, or notebook. ...
  • Unclutter your workspace and desk. This removes distractions. ...
  • Join a support group for adults with ADHD.

What are the sad facts about ADHD? ›

Many can't hold a job or stick with a relationship. They're chronically late or forgetful. They jump into jobs and purchases and relationships without thinking them through, only to regret their impulsive actions later. They get stuck in self-destructive patterns, fall prey to addiction and depression.

What is the hardest thing about ADHD? ›

The inconsistency in motivation and performance is the most puzzling aspect of ADHD.

Which billionaire has ADHD? ›

With an estimated net worth of $92 billion, Gates has admitted to struggling with ADHD, saying he has always had difficulties concentrating and learning things, and he is known as the richest people with ADHD. However, Bill Gates ADHD did not stop him from reaching the most incredible professional heights in his life.

Is there any genius with ADHD? ›

However, there is no correlation between this condition and intelligence. In fact, according to one study , ADHD affects people in the same way across high, average, and low IQ score ranges. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can make it difficult for people to focus and to control impulsive behaviors.

What are people with ADHD really good at? ›

Research has found that people with ADHD have more creativity and are better at idea generation than people without the disorder. 3 This creativity can lead to outside-the-box thinking that is needed for discovery and innovation. Hyperfocus: Many people with ADHD become hyperfocused on things that interest them.

What do people with ADHD struggle with the most? ›

People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms: Inattention–having difficulty paying attention. Hyperactivity–having too much energy or moving and talking too much. Impulsivity–acting without thinking or having difficulty with self-control.

Do people with ADHD cry easily? ›

Most people with ADHD have a very low frustration tolerance. They can be overly emotional about the stressors they experience. They don't have a barrier that allows them to set aside uncomfortable emotions, and they often become completely flooded by a feeling, making it unbearable.

What does no one tell you about ADHD? ›

There are many “hidden” ADHD symptoms that often go unseen and are ultimately misunderstood. Edwards lists some of the invisible internal ADHD symptoms below: emotional dysregulation. time blindness, or not being aware of time.

How does a person with ADHD think? ›

The thoughts a person with ADHD tend to jump without stopping to worry about the details. Additionally, many people with ADHD report feeling more relaxed when they're most active, so this activity stream can often be comforting. This lack of inhibition in thought can also result in more tangential connections.

What age is ADHD hardest? ›

At what age are symptoms of ADHD the worst? The symptoms of hyperactivity are typically most severe at age 7 to 8, gradually declining thereafter. Peak severity of impulsive behaviour is usually at age 7 or 8. There is no specific age of peak severity for inattentive behaviour.

What is ADHD biggest strength? ›

Personality strengths of people with ADHD

Examples of these traits include: Being energetic. Some individuals with ADHD often have seemingly endless amounts of energy that they're able to channel toward success on the playing field, in school, or at work. Being spontaneous.

Do people with ADHD have a sixth sense? ›

The Gift of ADHD: They say that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have almost a sixth sense about people. My sharp sense of intuition is the one personal attribute that I've always been proud of. Since I was little I've been able to smell a two-faced person from a mile away.

Who suffers from ADHD the most? ›

Males are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females. During their lifetimes, 13 percent of men will be diagnosed with ADHD. Just 4.2 percent of women will be diagnosed. The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years old.

What are people with ADHD best at? ›

Hands-on jobs that require creativity can be a good fit for some people with ADHD. These types of jobs often combine creativity and problem-solving — areas where people with ADHD often excel.

Who most commonly has ADHD? ›

ADHD is often first identified in school-aged children when it leads to disruption in the classroom or problems with schoolwork. It is more commonly diagnosed among boys than girls given differences in how the symptoms present. However, this does not mean that boys are more likely to have ADHD.

What NFL players have ADHD? ›

Terry Bradshaw

The Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback admitted in his autobiography that not only has he struggled with ADHD, but has also battled a mood disorder. Bradshaw was inducted into the hall of fame in 1989, despite his diagnoses.

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