The Most Famous Person with a Disability, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the person with a disability you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 26, 2024 07:12

Ranking famous individuals with disabilities brings about a profound appreciation for diversity and resilience in human experiences. It highlights how these influential figures have navigated challenges and transformed obstacles into avenues for advocacy and inspiration. Such rankings not only increase public awareness but also deepen our understanding of the varied ways people can lead impactful lives. This dynamic ranking is fueled by your votes. Each vote helps to adjust and reflect real-time public opinion and awareness concerning these personalities. By participating, you contribute to a broader narrative that celebrates success and determination against odds, encouraging new perspectives and discussions.

Who Is the Most Famous Person with a Disability?

1

56
votes
NASA · Public domain

Stephen Hawking

Hawking was a renowned physicist and cosmologist who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21. Despite being confined to a wheelchair and requiring a speech-generating device, Hawking made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics.
Stephen Hawking in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous cosmologist
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Atheist
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Brit
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
2

42
votes
Guillermo Kahlo · Public domain

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

Kahlo was a Mexican painter who suffered from polio as a child and later survived a bus accident that left her with a broken spinal column, pelvis, and multiple other injuries. Her vibrant paintings often depicted her physical and emotional pain.
Frida Kahlo is an iconic Mexican artist known for her powerful and introspective self-portraits. She is celebrated for her unique style that combines elements of Surrealism, symbolism, and traditional Mexican folk art. Kahlo's art often reflected her physical and emotional pain, as well as her deep connection to her Mexican heritage.

Birth Date: July 6, 1907

Death Date: July 13, 1954

Art Medium: Oil paintings, self-portraits

Artistic Style: Surrealism, symbolism, and folk art

Influences: Mexican culture, Diego Rivera, European modernism
Frida Kahlo in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Mexico
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous female artist
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Hispanic female artist
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous victim of Kyphosis
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Cancer Zodiac sign
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous artist of all time
3

14
votes
Rhododendrites · CC BY 4.0

Helen Keller

Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer who was deaf and blind from a young age. Despite her disabilities, she went on to become a prominent figure in the fight for women's suffrage and disability rights.
Helen Keller in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous blind person
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Deaf person
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous disabled athlete
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous person born in Massachusetts
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful handwriting
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous plagiarizer
4

18
votes
Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/ · CC BY-SA 3.0

Marlee Matlin

Matlin is an American actress who is deaf and has been a prominent advocate for the deaf community. She is the only deaf performer to have won an Academy Award.
Marlee Matlin in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Deaf person
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular musical talent who is deaf
5

21
votes

Beethoven

The famous composer was deaf in the later stages of his life, yet he continued to write music that is still celebrated today.
6

14
votes
Motown Records · Public domain

Stevie Wonder

Wonder is an American musician and singer who was born blind. Despite this, he has won multiple Grammys and is considered one of the most successful and influential musicians of the 20th century.
Stevie Wonder in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous child singer
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous African-American singer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous living musician
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous funk singer
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Michigan
- Position 9 of 10 in Most talented child singer in the world
7

7
votes
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and was paralyzed from the waist down due to polio. Despite his disability, he served four terms in office and led the country through some of its most challenging times.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (also known as FDR) was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history, leading the country through both the Great Depression and World War II. FDR's presidency was defined by his New Deal policies, which aimed to combat economic inequality and stimulate the nation's economy. He implemented numerous reforms, including the establishment of Social Security and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Presidency: 32nd President of the United States

Term: March 4, 1933 - April 12, 1945

Political Party: Democratic Party

New Deal: Implemented various economic reforms and social programs

Social Security: Established the Social Security system in the United States
Franklin D. Roosevelt in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous victim of Kyphosis
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous liberal
8

5
votes
Jbfrankel · CC BY-SA 3.0

Christopher Reeve

Reeve was an American actor known for his role as Superman. He was paralyzed from the neck down after a horseback riding accident in 1995 and became an advocate for spinal cord injury research.
Christopher Reeve in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Superman actor
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Cornell alumni
9

3
votes
Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA · CC BY 2.0

Temple Grandin

Grandin is an American professor of animal science who is autistic. She is known for her work in animal welfare and is a prominent advocate for people with autism.
Temple Grandin in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous veterinarian
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous savant
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous animal activist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous zookeeper
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous farmer
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous teacher at Magnet Brains
10

10
votes
William Morris Agency (management)/Photo by Maurice Seymour, New York. · Public domain

Ray Charles

Charles was an American musician who was blind from childhood. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music and is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Ray Charles in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous blind pianist
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person from Georgia
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous bass singer
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous keyboard player
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person in Jacksonville, FL
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous country singer from Georgia

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Ranking factors for famous person with a disability

Impact and Recognition

Consider the person's level of impact and recognition in their respective field or in society as a whole. This includes their accomplishments, contributions, and overall influence. For example, someone who has achieved significant success in sports, entertainment, science, or advocacy is likely to be more famous.
Disability Visibility

Evaluate how openly the person discusses their disability and raises awareness about it. Those who bring attention to their disability and use their platform to promote inclusivity and understanding may be more recognized.
Media Coverage and Public Interest

Explore the extent of media coverage and public interest in the person. Check if their story has been covered by major news outlets, if they are frequently mentioned in discussions or interviews, and if they have a substantial following on social media platforms.
Longevity and Enduring Legacy

Consider the person's longevity in the public eye and the lasting impact they have made. Look for individuals whose fame and influence have endured over a significant period rather than those who had a short-lived moment of prominence.
Overcoming Challenges

Take into account the obstacles the person has overcome in their journey, as well as their resilience and determination. This factor highlights the individual's ability to succeed despite their disability, and can contribute to their fame.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous person with a disability. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or disabled person is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2455 views
191 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each disabled person once every 24 hours. The rank of each disabled person is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous person with a disability

Introduction: Disability is not a hindrance to success. In fact, there are numerous individuals with disabilities who have made a significant impact in their respective fields. From sports to music, politics, and even activism, these people have inspired others to never give up on their dreams. Section: When it comes to fame, there are many well-known personalities who have disabilities. One of the most famous is Stephen Hawking, a physicist who suffered from ALS, a condition that gradually paralyzed him. He became known for his groundbreaking work on black holes and the origins of the universe. Despite his physical limitations, he continued to teach and inspire future generations until his passing in 2018. Another notable figure is Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist who contracted polio as a child and later survived a devastating bus accident that left her with chronic pain and disabilities. Despite her struggles, she continued to create art that reflected her experiences and became an icon of feminism and self-expression. Other famous people with disabilities include Helen Keller, a deaf and blind author and activist; Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress who has won an Academy Award; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as President of the United States despite being paralyzed from the waist down. Conclusion: These individuals are just a few examples of the many famous people who have disabilities. Their achievements serve as reminders that disability does not define a person's abilities, and that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.