Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the tissues in the digestive tract, impacts over half a million Americans every year, including a number of well-known celebrities and figureheads.
Here are 23 celebrities with Crohn's disease:
Sports:
Kathleen Baker. Olympic swimmer Kathleen Baker has battled Crohn's disease for years, struggling with stomach cramps, weight loss and nausea.
Aerial Hull. Professional women's wrestler Aerial Hull, known as Big Swole, was diagnosed with Crohn's, which she refers to as "the nightmare virus," in 2019.
David Garrard. Former National Football League quarterback David Garrard had to have a foot of his intestine removed due to Crohn's disease.
Kevin Dineen. Former professional hockey player and current hockey coach Kevin Dineen originally received his diagnosis in 1987.
Larry Nance Jr. Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Larry Nance was diagnosed with Crohn's at the age of 16. He was inspired to pursue a professional sports career after watching fellow Crohn's sufferer David Garrard.
Matt Light. Former New England Patriots professional football player Matt Light underwent surgery to remove 13 inches of his intestine following his Crohn's diagnosis.
Tommie Frazier. Former college quarterback Tommie Frazier had his hopes of being a professional football player dashed by symptoms related to his Crohn's disease.
Tairia Flowers. Gold medal softball player Tairia Flowers competed in the Beijing Olympics of 2008, suffering so badly from her Crohn's that she could only eat bread and plain pasta.
Theoren Fleury. Stanley Cup champion and gold medal hockey player Theoren Fleury was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1995. Today, he is a motivational speaker.
Seantrel Henderson. Former Buffalo Bills NFL player Seantrel Henderson was suspended from the league for using prescribed medical marijuana to treat his Crohn's disease symptoms.
Carrie Johnson. Olympic kayaker Carrie Johnson was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2003 after experiencing anemia, fatigue and weight loss that forced her to stop training.
Music:
Anastacia. Singer-songwriter Anastacia Newkirk was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at 13.
Perfume Genius. Singer Mike Hadreas, also known as Perfume Genius, has written songs about his experience living with Crohn's throughout his discography.
Mike McCready. Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready was diagnosed with Crohn's when he was 21 and hosts benefit concerts for Crohn's research every year in his hometown of Seattle.
Jon Landau. Rock music critic and record producer Jon Landau co-produced several Bruce Springsteen albums despite his struggle with Crohn's.
Beth Orton. Singer-songwriter Beth Orton was diagnosed with Crohn's at 17; however, she says her diet and lifestyle have ended her attacks.
Television and film:
Pete Davidson. Comedian Pete Davidson was diagnosed with Crohn's at 17 and manages his symptoms with marijuana.
Shannen Doherty. Actress, producer and director Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1999.
Frank Fritz. Television personality Frank Fritz announced in a 2013 Facebook post that he has Crohn's.
Audra McDonald. Actress and singer Audra McDonald has been vocal about her experience living with Crohn's on Twitter.
Cynthia McFadden. Investigative television journalist Cynthia McFadden was diagnosed with Crohn's while in college and has since had bowel resection surgery.
Ben Morrison. Stand-up comedian and actor Ben Morrison was diagnosed with Crohn's during his senior year of high school.
Politics:
Dennis Kucinich. Two-time presidential candidate and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio, Dennis Kucinich keeps his Crohn's under control with a vegan diet and herbal supplements.