Noteworthy Bipolars

People who have been diagnosed as manic-depressive usually don't advertise their situation. Psychology has advanced much since the theories of Dr. Sigmund Freud, circa 1923, but public understanding and acceptance lags another century behind.

The social stigma attached is notorious, and to be avoided if at all possible. But, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong, but I'm probably not. I don't tell everyone I have bipolar disorder.

The following people are bipolar too. Either they have publicly acknowledged that they "suffer" from manic-depression, or they have been "labeled" as such, due to behaviours documented during their lifetimes.


This work is periodically updated. I hope to elaborate particularly on these persons' achievements. Comments and attitudes graciously accepted via e-mail.

~Shawn Colvin~ singer

~Robert Downey, Jr.~ actor

~Ted Turner~ media mogul

~Peter Gabriel~ musician

~Danny Bonaduce~ actor, radio celebrity

~Jane Pauley~ news personality

~Brittany Spears~ singer, entertainer

~Maurice Benard~ soap actor - General Hospital

~Ozzy Osbourne~ musician

~Winston Churchill~ statesman

~Rosemary Clooney~ singer (George Clooney's aunt)

~Jayson Blair~ former New York Times journalist

~Sheryl Crow~ singer, songwriter

~Patty Duke~ actress

~Carrie Fisher~ actress

~Thomas Jefferson~ statesman

~Jimi Hendrix~ musician

(Hendrix is included because of my observations of his life and death. In researching on the Internet, I mostly find lyrics to "Manic-Depression," which I consider a public acknowledgment. I will continue the research.)

~Kurt Cobain~ (ditto Hendrix)

~Margot Kidder~ actress

~Abraham Lincoln~ statesman

~Buzz Aldrin~ astronaut

~Kristi McNichol~ actress, animal activist

~James K. Polk~ statesman

~Margaux Hemmingway~ actress

~Phil Specter~ music mogul

~Ray Davies (Kinks)~ musician

~Ben Stiller~ actor, comedian

(At a fellow writer's request, I'm seeking an additional source for verification on this one. I was informed Stiller may have been joking when he said he was bipolar, although his family has a documented history. You can read his remarks in the bipolar section of www.About.com, or cut and paste the link.

~Tracey Ullman~ actress, comedianne

~Britney Spears~ singer, entertainer

~Robin Williams~ actor, comedian

(NOT currently able to verify with a primary source, but have you caught his stand up routines and not wondered?)

~Gordon Sumner (Sting)~ musician, activist

~Jean-Claude Van Damme~ athlete, actor

~Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)~ musician

~Virginia Wolf~ writer

~Francis Ford Coppola~ director

The vast majority of literature printed on bipolar disorder reflects the socio-psycho-logical-medical-esque-ness of this biochemical mental aberration. Many diagnosed bipolars have manipulated this "dysfunction" so that they have made positive contributions to their society. Though many face exasperating emotional life challenges, an unknown percentage overcome their personal biochemical demons and gift the world with unique genius.

Stories of success, as portrayed by these noteworthy bipolars, can be found. These levels of achievements aren't necessarily the norm. The public is more aware of manic-depression as associated with some horrendous behaviour.


A rather scholarly presentation, Touched with Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison, is a good detailed read about literary, and artistic types, of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, who suffered from now identifiable mental disorders. Information on bipolars and schizophrenics is included.

The web site www.AboutBipolarDisorder.com lists more detailed biographical information.

~Dick Cavett~ media mogul

~Earl Simmons (DMX)~ musician, actor

~Larry Flynt~ entertainment mogul

~Kitty Dukakis~ statesman's wife

~Tony Orlando~ musician

~Connie Francis~ singer

~Kevin McDonald~ comedian, actor

~Linda Hamilton~ actress

~Mariette Hartley~ actress

~Burgess Meredith~ actor

~Sylvia Plath~ writer

~Charley Pride~ musician

~Axl Rose~ musician



These individuals have been documented as bipolar in research print, or on television shows such as "Oprah" or "Larry King."

Other bipolars as documented at other Internet sites include:

~Ned Beatty~ actor

~Robert Boorstin~ statesman

~Art Buchwald~ writer

~Alohe Jean Burke (Ghafoor)~ musician

~Tim Burton~ movie producer, director

~Robert Campeau~ Canadian financeer

~Lisa Nicole Carson~ actress

~C E Chaffin~ writer

~Garnet Coleman~ statesman

~Patricia Cornwell~ writer

~John Daly~ athlete

~Lenny Dee~ musician

~Bill Lichtenstein~ TV and radio producer

~Jay Marvin~ radio personality, writer

~Eric Douglas~ actor

~Thomas Eagleton~ statesman

~Margot Early~ writer

~Robert Evans~ film producer

~Stephen Fry~ actor, author, comedian

~Kit Gingrich~ statesman's mother

~Stuart Goddard (Adam Ant)~ musician

~Shecky Greene~ comedian, actor

~Kristin Hersh~ musician

~Jack Irons~ musician

~Kay Redfield Jamison~ writer

~Daniel Johnston~ musician

~Peter Nolan Lawrence~ English writer

~Rika Lesser~ writer, translator

~Dimitri Mihalas~ scientist




The next stage of this -- brief bios of these people. . . .


If you are aware of bipolar individuals who should be included in this list, please drop me an e-mail. Thanks!


Author's note:

"If Epilepsy Were Bipolar's Cousin"  is in very early draft stage, but will develop as a fiction narrative of a character who questions the ramifications of her bipolar diagnosis. She's quite haunted by . . . I haven't figured out how to even phrase it yet . . . .

The narrative may fall into a classification of what I'd like to call creative historical fiction. Data on bipolar symptomology, my personal bipolar experiences, and the unique, unusual, and masterfully creative manner in which Michael Jackson lived and died (June 25th, 2009) has me wondering . . . about some things I hope I can't prove. I haven't been one who ever wanted to "live in a glass house" as he did from such an early age. In my opinion as just another human being . . .

No! I'm not going to say what you probably think I'm thinking.

However "Michael Must Have. . ."  is my presently private area
for compiling MJ's life situations (with as detailed and verifiable
specific source info as possible, interviews with psychiatric
professionals, interviews with family
and his "friends") and some personal journaling
to investigate my presently
unsubstantiated
theories about his life and death.

I'm seeking sources, and would appreciate help.

Particularly interested in insight regarding song lyrics since 1990's. If you have input, please e-mail me at [e-mail]

© Copyright 2003 a sunflower in Texas (UN: patrice at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
a sunflower in Texas has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.