Celebrities with links to Lupus
Actor David Spade revealed that his mother Judith had lupus when he recalled the embarrassing moment he introduced her to Selena Gomez on the Tonight Show.
Both David and Selena do voiceovers for the animated film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. So when it came time for the premiere, Spade decided to invite his family members, including his mother, his daughter Harper and his niece Bea—the daughter of the late Kate Spade.
To see the video clip click here.
Sharon Stones sister Kelly has lupus (pictured with Sharon and Melanie Griffiths). Sharon and Kelly Stone have been major supporters since Kelly was diagnosed some years ago.
SWV’s Cheryl “Coko” Gamble took in her late cousin Sheila Laney’s 2 children, she promised to care for her Sheila’s 12-year-old son, DJ, and daughter, Nevea, before her cousin passed away.
Coko said: “She was sick, she had lupus and we feel like she knew that she was sick already and that she wouldn’t be here much longer because she was getting things in order. We were like, ‘Of course, sure, no problem,’ and she was getting paperwork in order and everything. Shortly thereafter, she got really sick and she passed away, and so here we are today.”
Maurissa Tancharoen is an American television producer/writer, actress, singer, lyricist and dancer. She is an executive producer and writer for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and has also worked on the series Oliver Beene, Drop Dead Diva and Spartacus.
Maurissa has lupus and said "I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was fifteen years old. Over the years it has run the gamut on me - skin, joints, lungs, brain, and kidneys. I’ve survived every time thanks to advancements in lupus treatments made possible through extensive research, trials and funding".
Rising star Kazy Tauginas is a former restaurateur and Golden Gloves boxer turned actor.
He has appeared in numerous theatre, film and television roles including as Ari in The Equalizer 2, starring Denzel Washington.
After writing several short films (and starring in over 20 of them), Kazy drew inspiration from his mother, who had been diagnosed with lupus, and his own boxing experience and wrote "Standing Eight," a short about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus.
During the spring of 2015 he oversaw two successful Kickstarter campaigns to fully fund the film. Since its completion, "Standing Eight" has won eleven festival awards including Trinity International Film Festival's Best Short Film. He hopes to release the film later on Amazon, with proceeds going to Lupus charities.
Jade Thirlwall’s mother, Norma, has lupus.
On Mother’s Day during the Covid19 lockdown Jade said, “my mam has lupus making her high risk, meaning none of her loved ones can see her today. But that didn’t stop us having a wine together on FaceTime and me as usual asking for help with easy tasks in life like boiling potatoes”.
Model, Pietra Thornton former Playboy model, previously married to Billy Bob Thornton also has lupus.
American Rapper Trick Daddy had been fighting a secret battle with discoid lupus since 1998, after going to the doctor seeking treatment for severe dry skin that had begun to appear spotted and discolored. The Miami, Florida star, real name Maurice Young, finally revealed his health struggle during a radio interview in March 2009.
He has refused to take any medication for lupus but encourages others to do so saying, “it gets so serious to that point, with the needles and doctor visits, I know it discourages people and I just need to encourage them to do whatever they need to do to make themselves better.”
Ted Turner is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. He famously married actress Jane Fonda in 1991, they divorced in 2001.
When he was a teenager, his younger sister Mary Jane aged contracted a form of lupus, and suffered terribly before dying a relatively short while later aged just 17.
In 2001 the Turner Foundation gave $1 million to lupus research in the USA. He said “Lupus is a serious and sometimes deadly challenge affecting young people and their families. The Turner Foundation is pleased to help combat this terrible disease by making a contribution to research directed at a better understanding of the cause and treatment of this disease in children and teens.”
Blair Underwood. Actor, appeared in LA Law as Jonathan Rollins, Dirty Sexy money as Simon Elder and as Dr Robert Leeds in Sex in the City. Voted one of People's ‘50 Most Beautiful People’.
“My uncle has suffered from Lupus for many years, and the pain that it unleashes is inhumane".
Actor Ray Walston lost a 6 year battle with lupus and died just after his 86th Birthday in 2001. He appeared in films such as, Paint your Wagon, South Pacific, Buck Rogers and The Sting and regularly on various TV programmes such as My Favourite Martian in the 1960’s and Star Trek the Next Generation & Voyager.
Michael Wayne, the eldest son of late actor John Wayne who helped produce several of his father's films, died aged 68 of heart failure following complications from lupus.
Randall Winston (pictured with Dick Van Dyke). Producer for the hit series, Scrubs and Cougar Town, donated a kidney to sister Karen after she developed lupus-related kidney disease, which caused her own kidneys to fail.
Morgan Woolard, runner up to Miss USA. Morgan caused a massive uproar when she said she had been ‘cured of lupus’, people went so far as to raise petitions to get her to withdraw her comments.
Some statements she made seemed to indicate that she actually had drug induced lupus, which can usually be reversed by stopping the medication that causes the condition.
ABC's Extreme Home Makeover landscaper Eduardo's sister has Lupus.
He helped his sister relax and relieve stress by creating a garden oasis designed with sun sensitivity in mind.
American fashion model and actress Mercedes Yvette was a finalist on America's Next Top model. During the show she revealed that she had lupus.
She is now a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America.
