Doctors often advise women no matter how much addicted they are to alcohol; they should cut off alcohol consumption during pregnancy. But ever thought why? Because it results in babies with fetal alcohol syndrome, FAS.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is recognized by conditions like a malformed skull, deformities, intrauterine growth restriction, and difficulty in growth and learning. And nearly every 1 in 1000 cases suffer from FAS in the United States, including some of our celebrities too.
Found it to be jaw-dropping?
Then, let’s buckle down through the article and enlist the top Celebrities With fetal alcohol syndrome, and I can bet that each name will knock your socks off.
1. James Eugene Carrey, Aka Jim Carrey
Thought it might leave you mind-stunned, but the renowned Canadian actor and comedian, James Eugene Carrey, suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome.
He has done numerous hit projects like The Mask, Pet Detective, Merchants of Death, Dead Girls, etc.
No one knew that James Eugene Carrey suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome until it was 2018 when he told in a show that his mother was addicted to alcohol badly during his pregnancy and that she drank as well as took a lot of medication during the whole course. That is why he suffers from FAS.
A few symptoms of FAS seen in him are:
- Joint deformities
- Facial contortion
- Uncontrolled seizure attacks
2. Daniel Radcliffe
Shocked again? So was I to learn about Daniel Radcliffe and his sufferings as a FAS child.
Born on 23rd July 1989, Daniel Radcliffe, known as Harry Potter, has FAS. He is one of the celebrities who openly accept and talk about fetal alcohol syndrome.
When he was 19, he told the Daily Mail that he suffered from FAS and had various associated symptoms.
Additionally, Daniel Radcliffe said that he suffers from dyspraxia too. And the two health conditions combined caused him to suffer a lot. For example, he had problems doing some basic daily stuff like writing, tieing shoes, etc.
However, he is very determined and clearly says these syndromes and health conditions don’t define who they are.
3. Reese Witherspoon
Remember the perfect girl, Reese Witherspoon, from movies like Water for Elephants, This Means War, Walk the Line, etc? Yes, she is another case of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Although it seems impossible, as she has been part of such hit movies, it’s true.
When seen closely, one notices that her upper lip is quite thin, just like that of FAS children. Similarly, she also has a malformed skull and some learning problems (though minute).
She was born to Mary Elizabeth, who drank a lot during her pregnancy.
4. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix is also a known actor that has played several dark, negative, and difficult roles in films and thus has received a lot of appreciation and awards for it. These include
- British Academy Film Award
- Golden Globe Award
- Grammy Award
He suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome, as his mother was addicted to alcohol during pregnancy. One of the major and most visible symptoms of FAS that can be seen in Joaquin Rafael Phoenix is his microform cleft lip.
5. Taye Diggs
Born in 971, Taye Diggs is another celebrity suffering from FAS.
Though he has fetal alcohol syndrome, he says that it affects his life the least and is determined to make his life shine better.
Additionally, he says that FAS can’t stop you from anything. Therefore, you should always be determined to embrace your life.
Moreover, he had 12 fingers, of which two he got removed later on.
6. Gary Burghoff
Do you remember the little clerk from MASH? For those who are really MASH fans would definitely remember him.
He was born with Poland Syndrome, a mental condition often linked with FAS.
Additionally, he suffered from brachydactyly, resulting in abnormal finger development.
That is the reason why he used to hide his hands from the camera for a prolonged time.
7. Bernie Sanders
Barnie Sander, a known celebrity and personality in US politics, is also a living survivor of FAS.
He is known to have several birth defects and diseases, including
- Hernias
- Gout
- Cyst in Vocal Cord
Some symptoms of FAS and other diseases found in Barnie Sanders are his difficulty socializing and using communication skills, prickly eyes, and lack of control over impulses.
In an interview, he said that his mother was addicted to alcohol and that she died because of heart failure.
Barnie Sander tries his best to educate people more and more about FAS so that people avoid its consumption during pregnancy.
8. Randy Jackson
The judge of American Idol from 2002 to 2013, Randy Jackson, also suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome.
He is a known actor, presenter, and musician, which people worldwide love and appreciate.
But when we look at his health, one finds he suffers from not only FAS but diabetes two too. He has also undergone gastric bypass surgery, which caused him to lose 54 kgs.
9. Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron, a known and Award-winning actress, also revealed that she was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and that she had to suffer from problems like difficulty reading and understanding things in her childhood.
She says that FAS made her even stronger instead of weakening her. But she tries her best to raise her voice about FAS and alcohol consumption so that at least children suffer from it in the future.
Final Verdict
So, these are a few celebrities that suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome and are living their lives in the best way possible.
Let it be Morgan Fawcett or Joaquin Rafael Phoenix; each of them is a living echo of excellence for us that nothing can keep us from shining other than our will and determination.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
