British actor and Golden Globes winner Anthony Andrews was introduced to the stage by his English teacher. As a student, Andrews had been fiercely struggling in school with reading and writing because of his dyslexia, and he lacked confidence with reading out loud in class.
How was Anthony Hopkins able to win an Oscar, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement? He credits his dyslexia for his interest in acting.
As a child, he didn’t feel comfortable talking to people, didn’t feel smart, and didn’t read - although he now has to read scripts frequently for productions that he’s in.
Channing Tatum struggled with both ADHD and dyslexia as a kid growing up. He was placed in the special education classroom with children who had Down Syndrome and autism because of his learning disabilities.
Christopher Lowell has worn a variety of hats in his career, simultaneously being an interior decorator and a well-known television personality on the Discovery Channel.
Rather than viewing his dyslexia as an obstacle, Daniel Powter calls it a “gift,” that allows him to focus on his own compositions and experience music from a purely auditory outlet without the barrier of sheet music.
With all of the lines he has to memorize and deliver as a famous actor, no one would suspect that a guidance counselor once described Danny Glover as retarded in school.
Booth fell in love with acting at age 12 when he starred in a school play and decided he liked the onstage spotlight. But there was one problem-- Booth was dyslexic and wasn’t looking for a future with so many words.
One of the most influential and successful Hispanic Americans, Edward James Olmos grew up in a poor neighborhood in East Los Angeles and struggled with dyslexia all through his schooling and career.
American actor and comedian George Burns famously wrote “For me the toughest thing about dyslexia was learning how to spell it”. His comedic charm and successful television career make it hard to imagine him struggling with a learning disability. But Burns, who remained undiagnosed for most of his life, was constantly faced with anxiety and frustration during his career.
The young George Burns struggled in school from the start.
Comedian and former host of The Tonight Show Jay Leno believes that hard work, perseverance, humor, and a positive attitude have been the driving factors for his success in show business and overcoming dyslexia.
Lindsay Wagner became a household name in the 1970s due to her role as the main character of the hit TV show The Bionic Woman. Her interest in acting developed as a child, when she could express and cope with her emotions in acting classes—trying emotions in both her family and academic life.
Recently awarded a spot on Forbes Top 30 Under 30 Musicians list for 2015, Lindsey Stirling didn’t catch the eye of the music world or public with her skills on the violin alone. Her use of electronics, animation, and modern sounds makes her music just as unique as she is.
English singer, songwriter, and talented musician, Noel Gallagher is best known for his stardom arising from the rock band Oasis. Gallagher is less known for having dyslexia, a learning disability that has affected his life in a myriad of ways.
Robin Williams is a common name to people who are familiar with comedic movies and sitcoms. Despite having dyslexia, Williams has proven himself in the acting world through his extraordinary talent.
Thomas Bolin ‘Tom’ Smothers, known for his role in the comedic TV duo The Smothers Brothers, earned his fame and by portraying the ‘dumber’ of the two brothers. Smothers accepted his role as part of his own life too, recognizing that he wasn’t as good at spelling and reading as his classmates throughout his schooling.
