A common belief is that autism spectrum disorder is rare. In reality, many people are on this spectrum and plenty more may have autism without getting a proper diagnosis. Many of the most famous faces in the world – including stars from the past – are members of the autistic community.
On that note, we did some research and found 10 famous people with autism spectrum disorder. Join us as we spotlight 10 celebrities with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Show this list to your children and students so they know that autism isn’t a barrier and anything is possible!
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, an entrepreneur, is perhaps one of the most famous people on earth. Musk revealed that he was on the autism spectrum in a Saturday Night Live skit in 2021. He also spoke candidly during a TED talk recording about how his autism helped him think differently. He attributes autism to his success within the technology field.
Thinking from a different perspective helped him generate unique ideas. These traits fueled his biggest success stories, including Tesla. Elon Musk is one of the richest people alive, with a net worth of 196.5 billion USD.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins is a famous actor known for iconic films such as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Mask of Zorro, and Thor. Many regard him as one of the finest in his trade, and he continues to act at the ripe age of 86.
Doctors diagnosed Sir Anthony with autism in his 70s. It goes to show that many people live their lives without even realizing they’re on the spectrum.
Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg will go down as one of this generation’s most influential climate control activists. She has spoken at UN Summits, traveled the world, and stood up to huge global leaders. All the while, she speaks openly and honestly about her autism.
In fact, she’s one of the most vocal people on this topic and an inspiration for kids everywhere. She talks at great length about how her autism is more of a superpower than anything else.
Eminem
The musician Eminem has been in the spotlight for decades. Millions of people around the world know him as a multi-award-winning rapper. Interestingly, he is also on the autism spectrum.
Eminem has made several references to this across countless songs over the years. People consider Eminem one of the most famous musicians with autism on the planet.
Temple Grandin
Grandin is best known for her work in animal behavior and welfare. She changed the livestock industry with her designs of humane handling systems for cattle. Her designs have earned her worldwide recognition. They have been implemented in numerous meat-processing plants.
Temple works as a professor at Colorado State University. She is also the best-selling author of, Thinking in Pictures, a book about life with autism. In 2010, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Mark Zuckerberg
Back in 2013, Mark Zuckerberg publicly stated that he was on the autism spectrum. Like Elon Musk, Zuckerberg is one of the wealthiest people on the planet.
Most people know him for creating Facebook and countless other businesses as part of his “Metaverse.”
Wentworth Miller
In 2020, doctors diagnosed Prison Break star Wentworth Miller with autism. He immediately revealed this to the world and spoke about how “being autistic is central to who I am.”
Growing up, he spoke about struggling to pay attention in class and that he thought he had ADHD. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he realized it was all part of being on the autism spectrum.
Satoshi Tajiri
Satoshi Tajiri is the creator of the wildly popular Pokemon franchise. As a child, Satoshi loved collecting insects. His intense focus on them is what would later inspire the creation of Pokemon.
Tajiri’s contribution to the gaming world has created a camaraderie between gamers of all ages and abilities.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein will go down in history as one of the smartest men to ever walk the planet. His IQ is close to 190, far beyond the average person. Einstein’s “theory of relativity” is well known as one of the greatest discoveries of all time.
Although without an official diagnosis, experts believe Einstein to be on the autism spectrum. No one tested for autism during his lifetime, so he did not receive a proper diagnosis.
Mozart
Similarly, Mozart is another historical figure with links to autism. Historical theorists and researchers strongly believe Mozart was on the spectrum and that this partly fueled his incredible compositions. Although he passed away in 1791, at the age of 35, Mozart’s music is still well known today.
As you can see, being on the spectrum doesn’t require you to live your life in a certain way or close off particular paths. Autistic people can achieve greatness in whatever they put their brilliant minds to!
To learn more check out Autism Speaks.
Although never officially diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, many experts believe the following celebrities to have ASD.
