#Not Alone. 10 Famous People with Schizophrenia

Photo: Veronica Lake, unattributed by Photo Tractatus.

People with mental illnesses sometimes feel as if they are alone and that no one understands them and their own experience.

However, those with schizophrenia actually have many famous people to look up to that dealt with the exact same conditions. Here are 10 famous people throughout history who have lived with schizophrenia.

1. Jack Kerouac

One of the most renowned American novelists and poets, Jack Kerouac was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 21. Through his access into spirituality, drugs, promiscuity, poverty, and travel, people fell in love with his writing. He is also considered one of the leaders of the Beat Generation.

Many people say that his excessive drinking was used as a self-medication for his symptoms of schizophrenia. Now, there are more advanced medications available for treatment.

2. Veronica Lake

During the 1940's, Veronica Lake was one of the most famous actresses in film noir. When she was young, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia that caused her to act out, sometimes even violently, and this behavior even extended into her adult life.

Despite her battle with schizophrenia, she was adored for her acting skills and famous "peek-a-boo" hairstyle.

Unfortunately, her mental illness, and subsequent reliance on alcohol, did begin to take a toll on her career. Despite her previous success on the big screen, in the 1950's she only starred in one movie and guest-starred on television.

3. Vincent Van Gogh

One of the most famous artists of all time, Vincent van Gogh suffered from schizophrenia. While schizophrenia had not yet been identified, so he could not have attained a diagnosis in his lifetime, historians are relatively certain that the Dutch painter was affected by the condition. He is famous for his self-portraits, portraits, still lifes, and landscapes.

Throughout his lifetime, he created thousands of works in various mediums, despite his recorded mental instability and eccentricity. He had various psychotic episodes, famously cut off his ear, and eventually committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest.

4. Bryan Wilson 

While very few people would think that Bryan Wilson suffered from any sort of mental illness given the upbeat tone of his music written for the Beach Boys, he was diagnosed when he was in his 30's, and the condition followed him throughout his life. However, he still managed to be a musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and more. Some believe that his schizophrenia allowed him to look at music in a new and complex way, as many consider him to be one of the most innovative and influential figures in musical history.

Unfortunately, like many others who suffer from schizophrenia, he fell to drug and alcohol abuse. He struggled with the many voices that he would hear, and as a result, he took part in many destructive behaviors, and even attempted to take his own life by driving off of a cliff. Sources also claim that he demanded to be pushed into a grave he had dug and buried inside of it.

However, in the 1990's he was able to reinvent himself musically and even released multiple studio albums. 

Read on to see the other six famous people who have lived with schizophrenia.