Gay Actresses Who Had Serious Health Problems

Many talented women in Hollywood face private battles with their physical and mental well-being while maintaining demanding careers in the public eye. These actresses identify as lesbian, bisexual, or queer and have spoken openly about their significant medical challenges. Their stories range from surviving cancer and strokes to managing chronic autoimmune diseases and severe mental health crises. By sharing their personal experiences they raise awareness and reduce the stigma for others facing similar struggles.

Wanda Sykes

The celebrated comedian and actress received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2011 following a routine breast reduction surgery. Pathology reports revealed early stage carcinoma in the removed tissue. Sykes elected to have a preventative double mastectomy to significantly lower the chances of recurrence or spread. She has since remained cancer free and uses her platform to advocate for early detection.

Cynthia Nixon

This ‘Sex and the City’ star discovered she had breast cancer during a routine mammogram in 2006. She initially decided to keep the diagnosis private to avoid media scrutiny while undergoing treatment. Nixon underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy to treat the disease effectively. The actress later became a vocal advocate for women’s health issues and cancer research funding.

Tig Notaro

Notaro faced a life threatening series of health events in 2012 that included a diagnosis of invasive cancer in both breasts. She famously performed a stand up set just days after receiving the news to process her trauma through comedy. The comedian also suffered from a severe intestinal infection called C. difficile around the same time. Her resilience during this period was documented in the film ‘Tig’.

Aubrey Plaza

The ‘Parks and Recreation’ actress suffered a stroke when she was just 20 years old. The event occurred while she was attending film school and caused temporary paralysis along with expressive aphasia. Plaza recovered fully but the terrifying experience significantly shaped her perspective on life and her career drive. She often speaks about the incident to raise awareness that strokes can happen at any age.

Jameela Jamil

Jamil lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder that causes joint hypermobility and chronic pain. The actress also survived a severe car accident in her youth that damaged her spine and nearly prevented her from walking. She manages multiple other conditions including coeliac disease and severe food allergies. Her health battles inspire her activism regarding body neutrality and disability rights.

Demi Lovato

This singer and actress suffered three strokes and a heart attack following a near fatal overdose in 2018. The medical emergency resulted in permanent brain damage that affects her vision and causes blind spots. Lovato has been open about the long recovery process and the physical limitations she now navigates daily. Her documentary ‘Dancing with the Devil’ details the severity of her health crisis.

Lady Gaga

The ‘A Star Is Born’ actress suffers from fibromyalgia which causes widespread chronic pain and fatigue. She has cancelled entire concert tours to manage the severe physical symptoms associated with the condition. The documentary ‘Gaga: Five Foot Two’ shows her receiving medical treatments to manage muscle spasms and nerve pain. She continues to raise awareness for chronic pain conditions that are often invisible to the public.

Sarah Paulson

Paulson was diagnosed with melanoma on her back when she was 25 years old. The cancerous mole was discovered by a dermatologist just before she was set to travel for a vacation. Surgeons removed the growth successfully before it could spread to other parts of her body. The actress now stays vigilant about sun exposure and advocates for regular skin checks.

Portia de Rossi

The ‘Arrested Development’ actress struggled with a severe eating disorder that led to organ failure and a lupus diagnosis. Her weight dropped to a dangerous level during the height of her illness while she was working on ‘Ally McBeal’. She collapsed on set due to the strain her condition put on her body. De Rossi credits her recovery to intense therapy and the support of her wife Ellen DeGeneres.

Ruby Rose

Rose underwent emergency spinal surgery in 2019 to correct two herniated discs. The injury was caused by performing stunts and left her at risk of becoming paralyzed. She documented the procedure and her recovery on social media to explain her absence from work. The actress also manages complex mental health issues including severe depression and history of trauma.

Meredith Baxter

The ‘Family Ties’ matriarch was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery to treat the invasive ductal carcinoma. Baxter used her diagnosis as an opportunity to educate women about the importance of mammograms. She publicly came out as a lesbian shortly after her health battle made headlines.

Kelly McGillis

The ‘Top Gun’ star was diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency which is a genetic condition that can cause lung and liver disease. The disorder significantly impacted her ability to work and led to her stepping back from major Hollywood roles. She focuses on maintaining her health through lifestyle changes and sobriety. McGillis lives a quiet life to better manage the symptoms of her condition.

Keke Palmer

Palmer lives with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome which causes hormonal imbalances and physical symptoms like severe acne. She revealed her diagnosis to explain the skin issues she had struggled with for her entire adult life. The condition can also affect fertility and cause metabolic issues. She uses her platform to normalize the visible symptoms of PCOS for other women.

Rebel Wilson

Wilson embarked on a major “year of health” largely due to a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and fertility concerns. Her doctor advised that losing weight would improve her chances of harvesting healthy eggs for surrogacy. The comedian lost significant weight to improve her metabolic markers and overall longevity. She successfully welcomed a daughter after prioritizing her physical health.

Angelina Jolie

Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after genetic testing revealed she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation. This mutation gave her an extremely high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. She later had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to further reduce the danger. Her openness about the decision sparked a global conversation about genetic testing and preventative medicine.

Halsey

The singer and actress battles lupus as well as a T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. She also suffers from severe endometriosis which has required multiple surgeries to manage. Halsey undergoes regular treatments and hospitalizations to keep her autoimmune issues under control while working. Her chronic illnesses often influence her art and her advocacy for patient care.

Lea DeLaria

The ‘Orange Is the New Black’ star was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. She decided to undergo a massive lifestyle change after doctors warned her about the severity of her condition. DeLaria lost a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise to reverse the worst symptoms. She now maintains her health to continue her demanding schedule as a jazz musician and actress.

Miriam Margolyes

The veteran British actress suffers from spinal stenosis which causes narrowing of the spaces within the spine. The condition leads to pain and difficulty walking which has forced her to use a mobility scooter. Margolyes has spoken about the regret she feels regarding lifestyle choices that may have contributed to her mobility issues. Despite the pain she continues to work in film and television documentaries.

Anna Paquin

Paquin has recently battled undisclosed health issues that have affected her mobility and speech. She appeared at a film premiere using a cane and admitted that the past year had been physically difficult. The actress manages these challenges while continuing to promote her work in independent films. She has not shared the specific diagnosis but acknowledged the severity of the symptoms.

Janelle Monáe

Monáe suffered from mercury poisoning after maintaining a strict pescatarian diet for many years. The condition caused her to feel constantly ill and required a complete overhaul of her nutritional habits. She recovered by eliminating fish from her diet and focusing on other protein sources. The actress now warns others about the dangers of consuming too much mercury rich seafood.

Miley Cyrus

Cyrus required surgery for Reinke’s edema which involves swelling of the vocal cords due to overuse. The condition threatened her singing voice and required her to remain completely silent for weeks during recovery. She also lives with tachycardia which is a heart condition where the heart beats faster than normal. She adopted a sober lifestyle to protect her physical and vocal health.

Cara Delevingne

Delevingne suffers from psoriasis which is an autoimmune disease that causes angry red patches on the skin. The condition flares up during times of high stress and has required makeup artists to cover her skin for runway shows. She also has dyspraxia which is a neurological disorder affecting coordination and movement. These challenges have impacted her confidence despite her success as a model and actress.

Drew Barrymore

Barrymore was institutionalized at age 13 for severe drug and alcohol addiction. Her early exposure to substances led to a suicide attempt and a long period of rehabilitation. She has maintained her sobriety for years and speaks openly about the dangers of child stardom. The actress now focuses on physical wellness and mental health stability.

Julianne Hough

Hough suffers from endometriosis which causes uterine tissue to grow outside the uterus. The condition results in debilitating pain and can lead to fertility complications. She underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the tissue and manage the symptoms. Hough uses her platform to educate women about menstrual health and pain management.

Sophie Turner

Turner developed an eating disorder after spending her adolescence in the public eye on ‘Game of Thrones’. She relied on a live-in therapist to ensure she ate during her darkest periods. The actress credits social media criticism for exacerbating her body image issues. She is now in recovery and advocates for mental health resources.

Stephanie Beatriz

Beatriz battled disordered eating and severe body dysmorphia while filming ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She would often restrict food and exercise obsessively to fit into the sample sizes provided by wardrobe departments. The actress realized she needed help when her health began to impact her work performance. She now practices intuitive eating and promotes body acceptance.

Anne Heche

The late actress struggled with severe mental health issues and addiction throughout her life. She wrote about her traumatic childhood and the dissociative state she created to survive abuse. Her tragic death followed a car crash where narcotics were found in her system. Heche’s life was marked by a constant battle to find stability and healing.

Megan Fox

Fox suffers from body dysmorphia and deep insecurities about her physical appearance. She has stated that she never sees herself the way other people see her. The actress works constantly on her mental health to combat the negative self-talk associated with the disorder. She emphasizes that being a sex symbol does not cure internal struggles.

Evan Rachel Wood

Wood was diagnosed with complex PTSD following years of domestic abuse. She has struggled with self-harm and panic attacks as a result of her trauma. The actress sought intense therapy to manage the symptoms and reclaim her life. She became a central figure in the movement to protect survivors of abuse.

Margaret Cho

Cho has faced numerous health battles including kidney failure and severe depression. She also struggled with substance abuse as a coping mechanism for the stress of her career. The comedian uses her stand up routines to process her medical traumas and addiction recovery. She remains an outspoken advocate for mental health and sobriety.

Dove Cameron

Cameron has been hospitalized for severe anxiety and struggles with anorexia. She speaks openly about the trauma of losing her father to suicide and how it impacted her own mental health. The actress uses therapy and medication to manage her depression and eating disorder triggers. She encourages her young fanbase to seek help for their own struggles.

Lili Reinhart

Reinhart deals with body dysmorphia and severe anxiety that often manifests as physical symptoms. She has been open about her battle with cystic acne and how it destroyed her self-esteem. The actress advocates for showing real skin texture in media to reduce unrealistic standards. She prioritizes her mental health by taking breaks from social media.

Fergie

The singer and actress battled a severe crystal meth addiction before finding fame with the Black Eyed Peas. The drug use caused psychosis and hallucinations that lasted even after she quit. She weighed only 90 pounds at the height of her addiction and feared for her life. Recovery required a year of intense work and a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Jane Lynch

Lynch has been deaf in her right ear since she was an infant due to a high fever. She did not realize she was different until her brother told her she was listening to the radio with the wrong ear. The actress adapted to hearing with only one ear and never let it hinder her performance career. She often jokes about the condition in interviews.

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