Thursday 2 June 2011

Famous People With Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulty in reading and spelling. Sometimes, even the mathematical ability of the person may be affected. This condition is separate and distinct from reading difficulties resulting from other causes. Around 5 - 17% of the US population is affected by this condition. However, for those people who think that there is no life beyond dyslexia, think again. Given below are the famous people with dyslexia listed, which will inspire you to overcome this learning disability.

Famous Personalities With Dyslexia

Tom Cruise
Who doesn't know the actor that stole everyones heart in movies like 'Top Gun' and 'Mission Impossible'? Well, the charismatic actor from New York was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. Tom Cruise says that he was abused as a child due to this, as his father came down very hard on him when he didn't perform in school, due to which he went on record to say that his father was "a bully, a merchant of chaos." Cruise also said "I knew from being around my father that not everyone means me well." However, the actor overcame all of this and more and went on to star in some of the highest grossing movies in Hollywood and still is one of the most sought after actors ever. Read more on famous people with learning disabilities.

Orlando Bloom
Whoever has seen the handsome Will Turner from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' won't guess in a million years that Orlando Bloom suffers from dyslexia. This young Brit, despite showing signs of dyslexia early on in his childhood, still managed to not only get through King's School Canterbury and St. Edmund's School in Canterbury, but even earned a scholarship later to train at the British American Drama Academy. He went on to graduate from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He got his first big break when he played the role of Legolas in 'The Lord of the Rings' and then went on to achieve worldwide fame as Will Turner in Pirates trilogy, which has grossed over USD 2.79 billion till date.

Richard Branson
Everyone knows of the whimsical entrepreneur that is Sir Richard Branson, but very few people know that he is one of most famous people with dyslexia. Branson was diagnosed with mild dyslexia and has poor academic performance as a student but managed to more than make up for this deficit by his ability to connect with people. His excellent communication and PR skills saw him figure in Forbes' 2009 'List of Billionaires'. Today, Sir Richard Branson owns over 360 companies under the umbrella of his brand 'Virgin', a feat that he acquired due to his sheer hard work and grit.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci figures prominently in the list of famous people with dyslexia. This talented Italian was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, writer, botanist and geologist. Phew! In fact, Da Vinci has been described as the archetype of the Renaissance man and is said to be one of the greatest painters of all time. Da Vinci is most well known for his Mona Lisa painting. Read more on Leonardo Da Vinci biography.

Other famous people with dyslexia include:

    * Erin Brockovich
    * Cher
    * Thomas Edison
    * Patrick Dampsey
    * Whoopi Goldberg
    * Anthony Hopkins
    * Keira Knightley
    * Jay Leno
    * Ozzy Osbourne
    * Keanu Reeves
    * Pablo Picasso
    * Guy Ritchie

There are many other famous personalities who suffer from other learning disabilities, like Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who suffers from dyspraxia. All said and done, after knowing of all these famous people with dyslexia, surely you must've got inspired to realize that where there is a will, there is a way, because like they say, nothing is impossible!

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