13 Celebrities With Dyslexia

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. People with dyslexia process written information differently. For some, dyslexia may manifest as difficulty with spelling, grammar, reading, or writing, while others may struggle with word pronunciation, reading retention, or recognizing rhyming patterns. Dyslexia, the most common type of neurodivergence, affects 5-15 percent of the US population, according to WebMD, including Hollywood stars. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Octavia Spencer, Keanu Reeves, and Tom Holland have been open about their experiences with dyslexia and how it has shaped their lives.
Historically, dyslexia has been met with shame and misunderstanding, creating a stigma that makes it difficult for those with the disability to speak out about their experiences. Living with dyslexia may inhibit how someone performs at school or work and may even limit the types of activities they enjoy.
Some might receive a dyslexia diagnosis during childhood, while others may go most of their lives without understanding their learning disability or how to manage it. This lack of knowledge can have a powerful impact on a person with dyslexia’s self-perception and beliefs about what they can accomplish.
Despite the challenges, several celebrities with dyslexia have been candid about how they have navigated their learning disorder and the steps they took to work around it. Ahead, see what celebrities with dyslexia had to say about living with the learning disorder, how it affected their childhoods, and how dyslexia has influenced their careers — often, for the better.
Jennifer Aniston
In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Aniston revealed she was diagnosed with dyslexia in her early 20s. “The only reason I knew [that I had it] was because I went to get a prescription for glasses,” she explained. “I had to wear these Buddy Holly glasses. One had a blue lens and one had a red lens. And I had to read a paragraph, and they gave me a quiz, gave me 10 questions based on what I’d just read, and I think I got three right.”
Tom Holland
Long before becoming Spider-Man, Tom Holland was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven years old. He credits his creativity and intuition as an actor to his dyslexia, and advises others facing similar challenges to take their time and be well-prepared.
Cher
Cher struggled with dyslexia and dyscalculia throughout her education, finding it difficult to read quickly and understand numbers. After learning about her diagnosis, she felt a sense of relief as everything began to make sense to her.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg wasn’t officially diagnosed with dyslexia until adulthood, but she had always struggled to grasp lessons in the classroom. Despite facing challenges, Goldberg turned to storytelling and acting, which has allowed her to showcase her creativity and talent.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves struggled in school due to his dyslexia, eventually dropping out before earning his diploma. Despite these challenges, Reeves developed a love for Shakespeare and found ways to cope and succeed in his career.
Keira Knightley
Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, Keira Knightley’s mother played a key role in helping her manage the learning disability. With the support of her mother and teachers, Knightley found ways to work around her dyslexia and build a successful acting career.