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 in an organizational state. I want 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

~Maurice Benard~ soap actor

~Ozzy Osbourne~ musician

~Winston Churchill~ statesman

~Rosemary Clooney~ singer

~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

~Robin Williams~ actor, comedian

(NOT able to verify with a primary source)

~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.

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 "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, in the works -- brief bios of these people. . . .

© 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.