Stars with mental illnesses

Stars with mental illnesses

 Stars who’ve spoken out about mental illness

Stars with mental illnesses.People have hidden their mental illnesses due to the often negative stigma attached. In recognition of National Mental Health Month, we review some stars who have shared their internal mental struggles.

Catherine Zeta-Jones
 While seeking treatment in a mental health facility, Catherine Zeta-Jones'  diagnosis of bipolar disorder was leaked to the media, her famous husband says.

Sheryl Crow
 During a low point in her career  Sheryl Crow suffered a serious period of depression. She said she has struggled with the disease since childhood, but medication and therapy  have helped her overcome.

David Beckham
 Internationally famous footballer David Beckham has suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder. He revealed his compulsion in 2006 and admitted to rearranging hotel rooms to make “everything perfect.”

Mel Gibson
 In a 2008 documentary  actor Mel Gibson indicated that he has bipolar disorder and has said he suffers from another mental illness, too. He has recently made headlines with his ongoing feud with his ex-girlfriend.

Paula Deen
 Paula Deen is a famous figure in the kitchen, but she used to fear leaving her house. She credits her 20-year bout with agoraphobia for her culinary skills since cooking was an activity she could do at home.

Jim Carrey
 Funny man Jim Carrey doesn't seem like someone who suffers from depression, but the actor has long battled the disease. He advocates healthy eating and has spoken out against using these to cope.

Herschel Walker
 Former NFL star Herschel Walker revealed his struggle with dissociative identity disorder in his autobiography. The disease caused lapses in his memory, including a major milestone in his life.

Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio once played the role of  an infamous obsessive compulsive disorder sufferer. The “Aviator” star, whose obsession is focused on stepping on things on sidewalks, shared his struggle with the disorder after the movie came out.

J.K. Rowling 
 British author J.K. Rowling  best known for the “Harry Potter” series spoke out against the stigma of depression and suicidal thoughts when she revealed her own struggle with the disorder when she was in her 20s.

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Celebrity causes

Celebrity causes

Celebrities & Their Causes From a teen idol to a former president, stars can really illuminate a worthy cause. Basketball star Yao Ming, the tallest NBA player was recently honored at a charity gala for his efforts to help reduce the consumption of shark fin soup in his home country.


Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore

“Real men don’t buy girls” is the crux of the Demi & Ashton Foundation crusade against child slavery launched by the movie stars this month. Check out their PSA.This real man pop star agrees.  

Bono

This U2 vocalist is a performer and philanthropist best known for the ONE Campaign, which fights against poverty and disease.  The grassroots organization is named for the hit from one of his popular albums 

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Superstars and super parents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie  are another celebrity couple loaded with causes; his, hers and theirs. Their efforts benefit a medical humanitarian organization and a justice for children network. One wonders how they find the time to make movies and still sizzle on the red carpet.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn  won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of an activist in a 2008 biopic  but the hands-on humanitarian has been in Haiti  since the devastating 2010 earthquake running two refugee camps.  

Demi Lovato

A teen star since her blockbuster Disney films with a mega boy band  actress and singer Demi Lovato has turned her attention to bigger causes as a spokesperson for an anti-bullying organization. She recently underwent a very public personal struggle. 

George Clooney

People Magazine has twice named him “Sexiest Man Alive” but his off-screen title is United Nations Messenger of Peace. His goal is to end the conflict in Darfur through his coalition and documentary “Sand and Sorrow” . 

Salma Hayek

This Mexican-born actress  is known for her beauty  but her foundation works to end violence against women and supports immigrant rights. She plans to release her own anti-aging skincare product. 

Ray Allen

This Boston Celtics shooter brings a Ray of Hope to more than just basketball fans. Allen, who on the court just broke a record  helps students develop a love for reading off the court.

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova was just 17 when her Wimbledon win made her the World’s No. 1 tennis player. Still in the top ten, she’s a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations on the anniversary of a disaster in her homeland. 

Theo Epstein

Theo Epstein became youngest General Manager in Major League Baseball history, and helped the Boston Red Sox break a legendary World Series curse. His unusually named foundation helps various organizations raise funds through Hot Stove Cool Music events. 

Ashley Judd

This actress is active as a global ambassador on behalf of an AIDS education and prevention program. Her new memoir  reveals a painful past, 

Justin Bieber

Pop star Justin Bieber is only a teenager  but he’s already earned a Power of Youth award for his support of an organization that build schools in the developing world. Some credit his musical mentor for guiding his philanthropy.  

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah is well-known for audience generosity  during her daytime television program. But her philanthropy goes far beyond that as she has been named the most charitable celebrity in the world by this magazine. She gives away millions every year through many different charities, including her own.

Bill Clinton

What does the youngest living former U.S. president do after the White House? Clinton continues to establish humanitarian efforts on a global scale, from a university to engage the next generation of leaders to an annual summit as part of Clinton Global Initiative and a foundation, which mobilized to aid a recent natural disaster.  

Ben Affleck

Meeting a boy with a rare genetic disease drew Affleck’s support to this children-oriented organization. On a global scale he’s launched the East Congo Initiative to build support for the Congolese people. 

Sheryl Crow

Pop/country star and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow raises funds for cancer research. “If it makes you happy,” is still her biggest hit song. Her latest release is a cookbook, rather than an album but the title is familiar.

Matt Damon

Actor Matt Damon was a philanthropist inspired by a political leader long before he was a movie star. He’s co-founder of an organization that brings water to third world countries and is involved with a campaign against poverty. 

Betty White

Her showbiz career defines variety: game shows  a soap opera, sitcoms and a hit 2011 Super Bowl commercial. The constant is her support for animals, including sales from this 2011 pin-up calendar.

Paul Newman

This movie biography  tries to cover the personal and professional life of a Hollywood legend who died in 2008.  Since 1982, Newman’s Own product line has donated more than $300,000 million to charities.  This one was closest to his heart.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston stars with a funny man in her latest film. Off screen she supports Doctors without Borders, Hope for Haiti  and a Tijuana orphanage. 

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Famous adoptions

Famous adoptions

Actress Mariska Hargitay's recent adoption news has put celebrity adoption stories back in the headlines. From Brad and Angelina to America's Sweetheart, check out the many celebrities who have heeded the call.


Mariska Hargitay

"Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay happily announced the arrival of a bouncing baby girl this month, whom she and husband Peter Hermann adopted domestically. 

Trivia: Hargitay suffered a major injury after a fall on the set of her show in 2008.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

The Hollywood superstars have six children, three of whom are adopted: Shiloh, Maddox and Pax. Are they planning on adding to their brood? The kids  get to see a lot of the world because their parents are often on set in far-flung locations – Jolie is now directing her first movie in an unlikely place.  

Trivia: What did they do on a recent family outing?

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

When Cruise and Kidman were married – and it was a long marriage by Hollywood standards – they adopted Connor and Isabella. But their parents split and formed new families, and the kids have a say in where they spend their time. Kidman’s comment. 

Trivia: Have Isabella and Connor met their newest sibling?

Rosie O’Donnell

O’Donnell, who was known as the “Queen of Nice” for her daytime TV show, is passionate about adoption, and she has adopted three children: Parker, Chelsea and Blake. O’Donnell, who announced that she is gay not long before she quit her show, also was married. 

Trivia: What’s the name of her youngest child?

Sheryl Crow

Singer Sheryl Crow is adding another member to her family with the recent announcement of the adoption of her second son, Levi. The Grammy-winning star told fans that Levi James was born on April 30. Crow adopted her first son, Wyatt, in 2007 when he was just two weeks old. 

Trivia: In 2006, Crow underwent surgery for what condition?

Elton John

Elton John fell in love with baby Lev, a child in an HIV-positive orphanage in Ukraine. Although his hopes for adoption were dashed, he's not giving up.

Trivia: Elton John's AIDS Foundation hosts an annual Academy Awards viewing party fundraiser.

Father George Clements

Father George Clements received widespread attention when he became the first Roman Catholic priest to adopt a child. Father Clements went on to found an adoption program that currently operates in 32 states.

Trivia: NBC produced a TV movie about Clements.

George Lucas

"Star Wars" creator George Lucas adopted his first child when he was married and adopted two more children as a single dad. Lucas is the founder of an educational foundation, which focuses on project-based learning as well as helping special needs children.

Trivia: Lucas thrilled these executive producers with a congratulatory letter regarding this hit TV show.

Joan Crawford

The eldest adopted daughter of Joan Crawford wrote a book about Crawford's parenting skills. Crawford adopted a total of four children. The agency handling her first adoption was later tied to a black market baby ring.

Trivia: Crawford reputedly had a rather prickly relationship with Bette Davis, her co-star in "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Madonna

Superstar Madonna adopted Malawian-born David Banda in 2006. In 2009, Madonna petitioned to adopt a second child from Malawi. Over the protests of the child's father, she was initially refused, but Madonna won on appeal and Mercy James joined the family in the spring of 2009.

Trivia: Madonna and daughter Lourdes recently launched a new clothing line. Which 'Gossip Girl' is the new face for their brand?

Ben Stein

Through admitted selfishness on his part, Ben Stein never considered becoming a father. After adopting his only child, he wrote a book about fatherhood.

Trivia: Stein has appeared in many television commercials. Did his appearance on this commercial get him fired from this job?

Lionel Richie

Three-year-old Nicole Richie moved in with Lionel Richie and his former wife when Nicole's biological father hit hard times. Richie officially adopted Nicole six years later.

Trivia: Lionel Richie recently announced his plan to make Tuskegee's Lionel Richie Museum the "final destination" for all of his memorabilia and artifacts.

Nicole Richie has two sons with fiancé Joel Madden.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl and her husband, Josh Kelley, adopted their first child, a baby with special needs from South Korea. The former "Grey's Anatomy" star says she was inspired by her sister. Heigl says her own reaction to motherhood was stronger than anticipated.

Trivia: Heigl started working when she was just a kid herself. What did she do?

Alex Kingston

Best known for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the hit show "ER," Alex Kingston experienced two failed adoptions. Does Kingston want to try the adoption route again?

Trivia: Kingston also starred in which ABC television series?

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis and husband Christopher Guest adopted two children, son Tom and daughter Annie. Curtis, an accomplished actor and children's book author, wrote a book about adoption from a child's point of view.

Trivia: What did Curtis say about troubled actress Lindsay Lohan?

Sandra Bullock

Oscar winner Sandra Bullock brought home Louis Bardo in January and kept the adoption a secret. Ten days after the Oscars, Bullock and husband Jesse James separated.

Trivia: Does Bullock share custody with her ex?

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