30 Famous People With ADHD

Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC
Updated November 28, 2023by BetterHelp Editorial Team

For people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity can interfere with how they function at work, in school, or in social settings. If you live with ADHD, you’re not alone: It’s estimated that about 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD. Included in this number are many accomplished athletes, actors, creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs who have been open about their experiences living with ADHD, too. 

There are various treatments and strategies available that can help those with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. As the list below demonstrates, a diagnosis of ADHD doesn’t have to hold you back from living a fruitful, enjoyable life. First, let’s take a brief look at what ADHD is and what its most common symptoms include.

Your ADHD Doesn't Define You

What Is ADHD? 

ADHD is classified as a neurological disorder that can present in one of three ways: primarily with symptoms of inattention, primarily with symptoms of hyperactivity, or with a combination of both. In adults, symptoms of inattention can include disorganization, trouble with time management, trouble multitasking, and difficulty following through on tasks. Symptoms of hyperactivity can include restlessness, impulsiveness, trouble managing stress, and low frustration tolerance. These symptoms must frequently interfere with daily life and functioning and be present for six months or more in order for a diagnosis of ADHD to be considered.

Celebrities With ADHD

Read on for a list of famous athletes, musicians, actors, creatives, television personalities, business leaders, politicians, and entrepreneurs with ADHD.

Athletes

1. Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, and he said that there were many teachers along the way who doubted his ability to succeed. By the age of 10, however, he was already ranked nationally in his age group for swimming. Today, he is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, having won 28 Olympic medals in total—23 of them gold. Phelps says that although his ADHD has been a challenge at times, it has made him the person he is now.  

2. Simone Biles

Simone Biles has spoken out against the stigma of ADHD, saying that she has this condition and has taken medication for it since she was a child. Biles has won seven Olympic medals in gymnastics, and in 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

3. Terry Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw is a former football star and Super Bowl champion who is now a TV sports commentator. Bradshaw was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, and he has been open about the challenges he experienced in school due to undiagnosed ADHD and how he poured his energy into football instead. 

4. Karina Smirnoff

An accomplished professional dancer, Karina Smirnoff is a five-time US National Champion and is well-known for her work on Dancing with the Stars. When she was growing up, her parents enrolled her in a variety of activities to serve as outlets for her hyperactivity. As an adult, she said that she follows an ADHD treatment plan that includes medication and organizational strategies to help her manage her symptoms. 

5. Pete Rose

Pete Rose is a former professional baseball player and manager. In his autobiography, he opened up about his mental health challenges throughout his life. Often considered a troublemaker as a child, he later received a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult

6. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, and he is another athlete with ADHD. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

7. Shane Victorino

Shane Victorino is a former professional baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies, the San Diego Padres, and more. He was first diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and began treatment in grade school, and he found that sports were an important outlet for him. 

8. Scott Eyre 

Scott Eyre is a former baseball pitcher who played for teams such as the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, and the Toronto Blue Jays. He opened up about his ADHD diagnosis in 2001. 

Musicians

9. Lily Allen 

English singer-songwriter and actor Lily Allen recently announced that she was diagnosed with adult ADHD. Though diagnosed later in life, she said that she was not surprised by the diagnosis.

10. Adam Levine

Adam Levine is a musician well-known for being the lead vocalist for the popular group Maroon 5 and a former coach on the TV show The Voice. Levine was first diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and had difficulty focusing in school, he said that he still experiences symptoms on a regular basis.  

11. Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles is a singer, songwriter, and artist. Her music has been met with much critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Knowles reports that she initially did not believe she had ADHD after receiving her first diagnosis until a second doctor confirmed it. 

12. Will.i.am

Will.i.am is a rapper, singer, record producer, and seven-time Grammy Award winner. He said that working on music helps him manage his ADHD symptoms and keep his mind focused.

13. Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner is a British singer and recording artist who has been open about his experiences growing up with ADHD, including how cooking has been a positive outlet for him. 

14. Mel B 

Perhaps best known as one of the Spice Girls, Mel B is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and television personality. She has opened up about having ADHD as well as dyslexia and dyspraxia.

Actors, TV Personalities, And Creatives

15. Zooey Deschanel

Many people may know actor Zooey Deschanel from the TV show New Girl. She’s also appeared in movies and is a singer as well. Deschanel has been open about her ADHD diagnosis. 

16. Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez is an actor best known for shows such as Lost and movies such as the Fast & Furious franchise. She first announced publicly about her experience with ADHD in a 2006 interview.

17. Christopher Knight

Christopher Knight played Peter Brady on the long-running show, The Brady Bunch. Looking back, he recalls having difficulty focusing and speaking slowly enough due to his ADHD. He received his diagnosis as an adult. 

18. Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is a chef, author, and television personality. He has been open about having ADHD as well as dyslexia, and he has given some of the unique strategies he’s used to help him focus at work. 

19. Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling, a journalist and television personality, was diagnosed with ADHD at age 40 when she worked on an episode about ADHD for her show, Our America With Lisa Ling. 

20. Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum is a well-known actor and model who has been open about his experiences living with both ADHD and dyslexia. 

21. Bex Taylor-Klaus

Actor Bex Taylor-Klaus has spoken out about their experience living with ADHD, even offering encouragement to others with the condition and says that there are ways to manage it. For example, they have shown findings that playing sports helped them with growing up.

22. Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton—media personality, socialite, and entrepreneur—has been open about having ADHD and taking medication for it starting at a young age.  

23. Howie Mandel

Television host and comedian Howie Mandel lives with ADHD as well as OCD and anxiety. He has been open about the challenges he has experienced related to managing the conditions and has said that he takes medication and attends therapy. 

24. Ty Pennington

Ty Pennington has recalled causing disruptions and having difficulties focusing as a child before being diagnosed with ADHD in college. Today, he channels his energy into carpentry, art, and television roles. 

Leaders, Politicians, And Entrepreneurs

25. David Neeleman

David Neeleman is the founder of multiple commercial airlines, including JetBlue. He has spoken openly about his experience with ADHD, crediting the condition for getting him to where he is today and helping him come up with innovative solutions. 

26. Sir Richard Branson

British business mogul Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Airlines and is also well-known for his work in space travel. He is yet another accomplished individual diagnosed with ADHD. 

27. John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was not directly diagnosed with ADHD in his lifetime. However, many researchers and experts today believe he may have had the condition.

28. James Carville

James Carville is a political consultant, commentator, and author well known for his work leading campaign strategy for former President Bill Clinton. Carville has been open about his experience with ADHD.

29. Paul Orfalea

Businessman Paul Orfalea is the founder of the copy chain Kinko's, and another example of a savvy entrepreneur with ADHD

30. Daniel Koh

Daniel Koh is the former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and was included on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. He said that he was disorganized and had difficulty concentrating in his youth, but that he now sees ADHD as a strength.

Ilona Titova/EyeEm

Help Is Available For ADHD 

As this list illustrates, it’s entirely possible to have a successful, fulfilling life with ADHD. In fact, some of the celebrities listed here see the condition as an asset and a key part of their success. It all comes down to finding ways to manage your symptoms that work best for you. Treatment for ADHD often involves therapy, medication, or a combination of the two, depending on the individual and their unique circumstances. That’s why it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist to assess your options and determine what might work best for you. 

For some people with ADHD, certain symptoms may make it more difficult to navigate the tasks involved in setting up in-person therapy appointments. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may represent a more convenient alternative. This is because you can get matched with a licensed therapist online by filling out a short questionnaire and then have sessions from the comfort of home, without the hassle of a commute. Research has also suggested that online therapy can be effective for individuals with ADHD. For instance, a 2022 study examined the efficacy of online interventions for ADHD, and it found that they may represent “an effective intervention” for those experiencing symptoms of the condition.

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Your ADHD Doesn't Define You

Takeaway

For individuals with ADHD, symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity can disrupt how they function in school, work, or social settings. That said, there are a variety of strategies and treatments that can help you manage symptoms—and as this list demonstrates, there are countless examples of very accomplished individuals with ADHD. If you're looking for support for ADHD symptoms or other mental health concerns, you can connect with a licensed therapist online or in person.

Gain a better understanding of ADHD

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