Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s rank among the most widespread neurodegenerative conditions known to medicine. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that one out of every three elderly individuals passes away while living with Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia. Yet the full spectrum of these untreatable conditions extends much further.
ALS, Lewy body disease, and Huntington’s disease are just a handful of additional examples. In most cases, patients do not succumb directly to the disease itself, but rather to secondary complications it triggers. Among Alzheimer’s patients, aspiration pneumonia stands as one of the leading causes of death a condition that develops when impaired swallowing causes a person to accidentally inhale food, liquids, or stomach contents into the lungs. With Parkinson’s disease, falls and pneumonia represent two of the most frequently cited causes of death.
Sadly, neurodegenerative diseases have touched the lives of many well-known individuals over the decades. Below is a look at some of those affected.
Eric Dane (1972–2026)
The American actor best recognized for portraying Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy died on February 19, 2026, at the age of 53. He had publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, yet continued working throughout his illness.
Robin Williams (1951–2014)
Following Robin Williams’ death by suicide in 2014, his widow disclosed that he had received a Parkinson’s diagnosis in his final period of life, describing it as a contributing factor. However, a subsequent autopsy uncovered that Williams had also been battling Lewy body dementia, another serious neurodegenerative condition.
Muhammad Ali (1942–2016)
The celebrated heavyweight champion received a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1984, roughly three years after stepping away from boxing. He went on to become a major advocate for Parkinson’s awareness and played a key role in founding the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Tony Bennett (1926–2023)
Diagnosed in 2016, the legendary jazz vocalist continued performing and recording for years due to the gradual nature of his condition. His final stage appearances came in 2021, sharing the spotlight with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall. He passed away at his New York City home on July 21, 2023.
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004)
The 40th U.S. President received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in August 1994, which he shared publicly through a personal handwritten letter that November. By late 2003, he had lost the ability to speak and could no longer recognize family members. He died on June 5, 2004, from pneumonia complicated by Alzheimer’s disease.
Maurice White (1941–2016)
A co-founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White first noticed Parkinson’s-related symptoms during the 1980s and received an official diagnosis in 1992 at the age of 50.
Imogene Coca (1908–2001)
Widely remembered for her comedic work alongside Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows, Coca passed away at 92 from natural causes, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.
Sidney Poitier (1927–2022)
A trailblazing figure in cinema, Poitier became the first Black actor and first Bahamian to claim the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. He passed away due to cardiopulmonary failure, with Alzheimer’s disease and prostate cancer identified as underlying conditions.
Aaron Copland (1900–1990)
Widely regarded by peers and critics as the foremost figure in American classical composition, Copland’s health declined throughout the 1980s. He died on December 2, 1990, from a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and respiratory failure.
Kirk Alyn (1910–1999)
Alyn holds the distinction of being the first actor to portray Superman on screen, appearing in the 1948 serial and its 1950 follow-up. He also appeared in 1978’s Superman: The Movie as Lois Lane’s father. He died at 88 while living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dorian Leigh (1917–2008)
Regarded as one of the pioneering figures of the supermodel era, Dorian Leigh died at 91 in a Virginia nursing home due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Charles Bronson (1921–2003)
Known for leading roles in action and war films, Bronson’s health declined in his later years. While pneumonia and Alzheimer’s have been mentioned in connection with his passing, his official death certificate cites respiratory failure, metastatic lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive cardiomyopathy.
Rosa Parks (1913–2005)
The iconic civil rights figure was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004 and died the following year at her Detroit apartment
Janet Reno (1938–2016)
The first woman to hold the office of U.S. Attorney General, serving from 1993 to 2001, Reno received a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1995 at only 55 years of age.
Richard Lewis (1947–2024)
Comedian and actor Richard Lewis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021 and shared publicly that the condition was advancing at a slow pace. He ultimately died from a heart attack in 2024.
James Stewart (1908–1997)
Beloved for his distinctive manner of speaking and relatable screen presence, Stewart died at 89 from a heart attack caused by an embolism, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as an underlying factor.
Otto Preminger (1905–1986)
A prolific filmmaker with over 35 feature films to his credit across five decades, Preminger also appeared as an actor in several productions. He died from lung cancer while simultaneously contending with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sugar Ray Robinson (1921–1989)
Frequently cited as the greatest boxer in history, Robinson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. In his later years, he was diagnosed with both Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, and he died at the age of 67.
Bob Hoskins (1942–2014)
Hoskins earned wide acclaim for his performances in The Long Good Friday, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Super Mario Bros. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, he stepped away from acting shortly thereafter.
Stephen Hawking (1942–2018)
Perhaps the most widely recognized figure associated with ALS, British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed at just 21 years old and lived until the age of 76 — a remarkable exception, as the disease typically emerges in men after 40 and in women after 70.
Glen Campbell (1936–2017)
A country music icon whose career stretched across five decades, Campbell sold in excess of 45 million records globally. He died from Alzheimer’s disease six years after going public with his diagnosis.
Bill Mauldin (1921–2003)
The Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, celebrated for his wartime illustrations depicting ordinary American soldiers during World War II, died from Alzheimer’s disease at 81.
Irene Papas (1929–2022)
The acclaimed Greek actress and singer appeared in more than 70 films over a career lasting half a century, with notable roles in The Guns of Navarone, Zorba the Greek, and The Trojan Women. She began showing signs of Alzheimer’s in 2013 and died on September 14, 2022, at 93.
Charlton Heston (1923–2008)
The Oscar-winning actor and long-serving president of the NRA publicly announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2002, after which he stepped back from both acting and his NRA role. He died at 84.
Bob Barker (1923–2023)
Host of The Price Is Right for 35 years and Truth or Consequences for nearly two decades, Barker died from Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 99 in 2023.
Geraldine Fitzgerald (1913–2005)
The celebrated Irish actress, later ranked among Ireland’s greatest film talents, died at 91 following an extended struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Peter Falk (1927–2011)
Best known for his beloved portrayal of the rumpled detective in Columbo, Falk died from pneumonia with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing complication.
George H.W. Bush (1924–2018)
The 41st President of the United States and former two-term vice president lived with vascular parkinsonism from 2012 until his passing in 2018.
Rita Hayworth (1918–1987)
Among the first public figures to openly discuss an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in the early 1980s, Hayworth’s willingness to speak out helped mobilize both public awareness and research funding. She died on May 14, 1987, at 68, from complications related to the disease.
Burgess Meredith (1907–1997)
Known for his instantly recognizable voice and remarkable versatility as a performer across more than six decades, Meredith died at 89 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease and melanoma.
Billy Graham (1918–2018)
The prominent American evangelist was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993 and contended with its effects throughout the final chapter of his life.
Lila Kedrova (1918–2000)
The Russian-born actress who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Zorba the Greek in 1964 died from pneumonia after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Etta James (1938–2012)
The renowned blues vocalist was living with both chronic leukemia and Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away on January 20, 2012, just days before what would have been her 74th birthday.
Lili Damita (1904–1994)
The French-American actress featured in 33 films between 1922 and 1937. She died on March 21, 1994, in Palm Beach, Florida, at age 89, from Alzheimer’s disease.
Gene Wilder (1933–2016)
Remembered fondly for his comedic performances and his iconic role as Willy Wonka, Wilder died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He had been diagnosed three years before his death but chose to keep it private.
Edmond O’Brien (1915–1985)
One of Hollywood’s most highly regarded character actors, with a career spanning nearly four decades, O’Brien died from Alzheimer’s-related complications at age 69.
Iris Murdoch (1919–1999)
The distinguished Irish-British novelist and philosopher was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1997 and died two years later in Oxford, England.
Mao Zedong (1893–1976)
The founding leader of the People’s Republic of China made efforts to conceal his declining health, but a 1974 diagnosis revealed he had been living with ALS. His condition progressively worsened, robbing him of coherent speech before his death two years later.
Eddie Albert (1906–2005)
Twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Albert died at 99 from Alzheimer’s-related pneumonia.
Arlene Golonka (1936–2021)
Best remembered for playing lovable, spirited characters on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D., Golonka died at 85 from complications stemming from Alzheimer’s disease.
