12 Famous People With Tourette’s Syndrome (David Beckham?)

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder defined by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations, known as tics. It is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette.

Most patients diagnosed with TS have a combination of vocal and physical tics, that can be both complex and simple.

Tics usually show up between ages 2 and 15, with the average being at 6 years old. The tics are most severe in early adolescence, and then slowly decrease in young adults.

Motor tics usually occur before the development of vocal tics, and simple tics frequently precede complex tics.

The exact cause of TS is unknown. It is a complex disorder believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. An upset in the balance of chemicals in the brain which transport nerve signals from cell to cell might also play a role.

An estimated 1 percent of school-age children and adolescents have TS. Approximately 100,000 people in the United States have full-blown TS, nevertheless, considerably more people have a milder form of this condition. Boys are 3 to five times more likely to have the syndrome than girls.

Here is a list of 12 famous people with Tourette’s syndrome:

#1 David Beckham

He is one of Britain’s most iconic athletes, who played for Preston North End, Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, LA Galaxy, and the England national team.

David is also the record holder of the number of played matches for England.

In an interview, he said:

”I’ve got this obsessive-compulsive disorder where everything has to be in pairs or I have to have everything in a straight line.”

#2 Dan Aykroyd

He is a Canadian-American actor, producer, comedian, musician, screenwriter, and businessman. He was diagnosed with TS at 12.

In 1984, Dan played Art Weber in the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

The symptoms manifested with nervousness, physical tics, and grunting noises. Dan had therapy and by the age of 14, the symptoms reduced notably.

#3 Tim Howard

He is a soccer player who plays for the United States national team as a goalkeeper and captains the MLS club Colorado Rapids.

He experienced the first symptoms of this syndrome when he was 10, and developed compulsive behaviors and intrusive thoughts.

Moreover, Tim Howard regularly cleared his throat, blinked obsessively, and frequently rolled his eyes repetitively to relieve anxious thoughts.

#4 Jim Eisenreich

He is an American former Major League Baseball player with an incredible career from 1982–1984 and 1987–1998.

At the age of 6, Jim Eisenreich developed tics and jerks and couldn’t stop blinking his eyes.

In 1986, after receiving prescription medicines that helped him control the symptoms of TS, he decided to attempt a return to baseball.

#5 Marc Elliott

He is an American inspirational speaker and author who has been diagnosed with TS.

Once he completed his graduation, Marc Elliot started a North American speaking tour regarding his experiences on growing up with this condition.

#6 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

He is a former American professional basketball player. He played basketball at Gulfport High School and Louisiana State University.

Abdul-Rauf has a mild form of this syndrome.

#7 Dash Mihok

He is an American actor renowned for his role in the drama Ray Donovan.

Dash Mihok was previously known for his work as a supporting actor in The Day After Tomorrow and Romeo + Juliet.

He also has TS with the first tic being a violent shake of the head.

#8 Howard Hughes

He was an American investor, businessman, film director, pilot, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most successful individuals (from a financial point of view) in the world.

Hughes was a victim of this syndrome.

#9 Michael Wolff


He is an American jazz pianist. He was the music director for jazz singer Nancy Wilson.

Also, in the 1980s, he was bandleader for the Arsenio Hall Show. He is married to actress Polly Draper, together they have two children.

In an interview, he said:

”I’m lucky I have it very mildly, I just have some vocal and motor tics. It never interfered with concentration or school work.”

#10 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart was not only one of the greatest composers of the Classical period, but one of the greatest of all time.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed more than 600 works, including some of the most loved and famous pieces of symphonic, choral, and operatic music.

In a documentary called – ”What Makes Mozart Tic?,” produced by Channel 4, the producer suggests that this syndrome influenced Mozart’s compositions.

#11 Samuel Johnson

He is an English biographer, critic, poet, essayist, and lexicographer acknowledged as one of the greatest figures of the 18th-century.

Samuel showed all of the signs and symptoms of TS, however, he was not diagnosed with this condition was not know during his lifetime.

#12 Marc Summers

He is an American comedian, television personality, producer, game show host, and talk show host.

Marc Summers worked as a stand-up comedian, a radio disc jockey, and held a few production jobs.

He has a mild form of TS and even got fired after revealing he has it.

New Additions To The List

Caspar Lee

Casper Lee is a South African video blogger whose YouTube channel has earned about 7,5 million subscribers.

Lee has been active for more than half a decade, uploading videos since 2011.

In 2017, he has released a video describing his struggles with TS.

Do you know any other celebrities with Tourette’s Syndrome? Please let us know in the comments below.



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