Peabo Bryson, the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter behind numerous R&B and Disney hits, has reportedly suffered a stroke.
A representative for the singer confirmed to Variety that Bryson is "currently under medical observation" and recovering from a stroke.
The South Carolina native is best known for her Disney hits "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion and "A Whole New World" with singer-songwriter Regina Belle from the Aladdin soundtrack, which won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Both compositions were also nominated for Record of the Year.
Bryson also had a string of hit singles with the late Roberta Flack, including "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" and "You're Looking Like Love to Me" from the 1983 duet album "Born To Love," as well as "As Long as There's Christmas.".
Singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson attends the 28th Annual Thurgood Marshall College Foundation Awards at the Washington Hilton on November 21, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
Ranking: The 25 Best Classic Disney Songs from Mary Poppins to The Lion King«
He is also known for several hit solo ballads, including "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" and "Can You Stop the Rain." "Can You Stop the Rain" was nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance in 1992. His other Grammy-nominated songs include "Lost in the Night" and "Did You Ever Know.".
Bryson's stroke followed a "mild" heart attack in 2019. His current condition is unknown.
USA TODAY has reached out to his representatives for comment.
Celebrities like Selma Blair, Jada Pinkett Smith, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber are open about their health struggles, encouraging their fans to do the same. Here are a few more stars who have opened up about their health struggles. Model and socialite Lori Harvey revealed that she has been battling polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis—reproductive system conditions with unknown causes—for years. In a September 2025 episode of the "She MD Podcast," the businesswoman revealed that gynecologists ignored her symptoms for years before receiving a proper diagnosis.
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Reality TV star Tyler Henry of the Hollywood Medium has openly spoken about his numerous cyst removal surgeries. After removing a growing cyst in his brain in May 2025, the reality TV psychic required another procedure to reduce swelling after the cyst recurred.
(Mario Anzuoni / REUTERS)
In July 2025, Justin Timberlake announced in an Instagram post that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial illness typically transmitted through tick bites. "If you've had this disease or know someone who has, you know: living with it can be extremely debilitating, both mentally and physically," he said. "When I was first diagnosed, I was, of course, shocked. But at least I was able to understand why I would experience intense nerve pain, extreme fatigue, or nausea on stage.".
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Stray Cats frontman Brian Setzer announced in an Instagram post on February 13, 2025, that he had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, which he vowed to "conquer.".
«I just wanted to let you all know how you’re doing. Towards the end of the last Stray Cats tour, I noticed my hands were cramping. I’ve since learned I have an autoimmune disease,» he wrote, accompanying the post with several photos of himself with a guitar. «I can’t play guitar. There’s no pain, but when I try to play, it feels like I’m wearing gloves. I’m seeing some progress: I can hold a pen and tie my shoes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was at a point where I couldn’t even do that.» In a March 2026 interview with Guitar Player Magazine, Setzer revealed that while his symptoms could return, he was ready to return to the stage after a year of treatment at the Mayo Clinic. «I was able to hold a pick. That was the first one,» he said. «I was like, „Okay, I’m more than halfway there.“ And then when I could play with my fingers, when my fingers came back, I had the full set.».
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Katie Thurston, the lead character on season 17 of The Bachelorette, announced in an Instagram post on February 15, 2025, that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
«"In the very beginning, I started searching for stories of other women similar to mine. Stories of other young women with breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. Mastectomy. Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped me," she wrote. "So I intend to do the same for others. This is the first day of sharing my experience, and it will be a long one. This first step—accepting my reality—has been the hardest. But I am ready to fight it.".
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In December 2024, Jerry Turner, one of the main characters of the first season of the reality show "The Golden Bachelor," announced that he was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a bone marrow cancer.
«"Unfortunately, there's no cure for this disease. So it weighs heavily on every decision I make," Turner told People. "It was like 10 tons of concrete had fallen on me. And for a while, I was in denial, I didn't want to admit it.".
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel announced in August 2024 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
In January 2025, she announced that she had officially completed her radiation therapy and had started taking a drug to prevent the disease from recurring.
(Valerie Macon, AFP via Getty Images)
In March 2024, actress Olivia Munn revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year and had undergone a double mastectomy.
«"I didn't have time to cry," she wrote in an Instagram post detailing her battle with the disease. "My focus narrowed, and I put aside any emotions I thought might interfere with my mental clarity." In 2025, Mann acknowledged that she was "still years away from completing cancer treatment.".
(Kevork Dzhansezian, USA TODAY)
The Office star Jenna Fischer announced in October 2024 that she had been treated for an "aggressive" form of breast cancer.
«"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I never thought I'd be making a statement like this, but here it is. Last December, I was diagnosed with stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I am now breast cancer-free," the actress wrote in an Instagram post at the time.
(Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images for Thirst Project)
Musician Patti Scialfa, married to Bruce Springsteen, announced in September 2024 that she had been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, multiple myeloma.
«"Every once in a while I'll go to a show or two and get to sing a few songs on stage, and it's a lot of fun," Scialfa, a member of Springsteen's E Street Band, said in the film "Road Diary.".
«This has become the new norm for me now, and I’m okay with it,» she added.
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In November 2024, Full House star Dave Coulier announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
«"I had a mild cold, and then I was diagnosed with cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming," the actor told People magazine at the time. "It was an incredibly fast-paced, roller-coaster ride.".
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In an August 2024 interview with People magazine, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert revealed that she has suffered from misophonia, a neurological disorder, since childhood. This disorder is characterized by intense emotions related to repetitive sounds, such as chewing gum or tapping nails. The actress said the disorder created problems on set. "If one of the kids was chewing gum, eating, or tapping their nails on the table, I would absolutely want to run away," Gilbert told the publication. "I would turn red, my eyes would fill with tears, and I would just sit there feeling so miserable and so guilty for feeling such hatred towards all these people—people I love." The actress said menopause exacerbated her reactions. It wasn't until 2023 that she learned about treatment for the condition and underwent 16 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy. "I realized I could survive these waves, but they wouldn't go away," she said. "But now I have all these tools that allow me to feel more comfortable and less reactive to stimuli. It's given me a sense of control.".
(Valerie Haché, AFP via Getty Images)
Singer Sara Evans revealed on the podcast "Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans" that she struggled with an eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. The country music star told host Cheryl Burke that the constant attention on herself made her increasingly concerned about her weight. "My record company, every time I had a child, would ask, 'When is she going to lose the weight?'" she said. "That kind of thing really bothered me." She also revealed that comments on social media also affected her, such as the time someone asked, "What happened to your face?" "I just wanted to say, 'How dare you?' I didn't do anything to my face. I got Botox," she said. "Want to know what happened to my face? I'm 52 years old.".
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
In January 2024, Mark Ruffalo revealed on an episode of the Smartless podcast that he was diagnosed with a benign vestibular schwannoma at age 33. The actor, known for his role in the film "Poor Things," said he had a dream about a brain tumor "so severe" that he consulted a doctor, who ordered a CT scan. "You have a golf ball-sized tumor behind your left ear, and we don't know what it is," he recalled the doctor telling him. The tumor was removed, but he didn't tell his pregnant wife, Sunrise Coigney, until the evening before the surgery. The surgery left him with a "massive" scar and temporarily "completely paralyzed" on the left side of his face.
(Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)
In April 2023, Chappelle Roane caused concern after being hospitalized with a mysterious illness. The comedian later revealed in a Netflix special that he had suffered a stroke caused by a brain hemorrhage. The exact cause of the stroke was not determined.
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In 2022, former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Teddi Mellencamp announced she had been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, and by 2025, the cancer had metastasized to her lungs and brain. In October 2025, Mellencamp stated that she was "cancer-free" but would continue "immunotherapy for another year" and was "not considered in remission or anything like that.".
(Presley Ann, Getty Images for the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation)
Grammy Award-winning rapper Macklemore (real name Ben Haggerty) has been open about his struggles with addiction. The rapper is also a vocal advocate for destigmatizing the issue. "I'm a recovering addict, an alcoholic, and have been for the last 14 years," the "Thrift Shop" singer said during a 2023 appearance on The Tonight Show. Macklemore emphasized inpatient treatment and 12-step meetings as key factors in his recovery. In an essay for Today.com published in January 2022, Macklemore detailed his relapses. "Relapses are always hard. They're traumatic for me and for my family. I've relapsed three times in the last six years. The pain and damage I can cause very quickly, losing the trust of those around me, happens in an instant," he wrote. "I know addiction is a curable disease, but I will never be cured, and I'm perfectly okay with that.".
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In November 2023, during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, actress Lucy Hale detailed her struggles with alcohol and an eating disorder, which she said worsened at the height of her fame thanks to the series Pretty Little Liars. The Pretty Little Liars star said she began drinking regularly after turning 18, but "didn't realize I had a problem until I was in my 20s." Hale revealed that at 23, she secretly checked into rehab while filming the show. The Truth or Dare star eventually quit drinking in 2021, which she attributes in part to her COVID-19 experience, as it forced her to stay home and receive medical care.
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In his 2023 memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This?" , Jurassic Park star Sam Neill revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. According to Neill, he received injections of a drug every two weeks, to which his tumor responded well. He said he plans to continue this indefinitely until the treatment inevitably wears off, as he recounted in a 30-minute documentary released in October 2023 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's like going 10 rounds with a boxer, but it's keeping me alive, and being alive is infinitely preferable to the alternative," Neill said.
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In May 2023, actor Edward James Olmos spoke publicly for the first time about his throat cancer diagnosis on an episode of the podcast "Mando & Friends." "I had my last radiation treatment on December 20th. I finished chemotherapy the week before, and I had been going through months of radiation and chemotherapy, which affected my throat," he said. "I still have a lump here [on my throat] where my lymph nodes are, burned out because they were irradiated in that area." Despite the diagnosis and the strain on his body, Olmos said he felt "in good health… It was a transformative experience, made me realize how beautiful this life is. I've been through a few things that brought me close to death, but this was a very close one.".
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Disney Channel star Ashley Tisdale has spoken openly about her struggle with alopecia, the medical term for hair loss. In a January 2023 Instagram video, Tisdale shared that she first experienced it in her 20s, first on her front hairline, and then again after moving, renovating her home, and filming a TV show. "Nothing serious—just a small patch behind my ear—but it kept happening, and it wasn't the first time. A few years ago, the same thing happened when I was under a lot of stress, so I knew exactly what was happening: alopecia," she wrote. Although the actress admitted she was initially "ashamed" to talk about it, she found support in others who had experienced similar things. Tisdale said her alopecia is largely stress-related and noted that prioritizing self-care, an autoimmune paleo diet, and platelet-rich plasma therapy during hair loss are some of the treatments that have helped her.
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In September 2022, Katie Couric revealed in an essay on her website that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after a mammogram three months earlier revealed abnormalities. Shortly thereafter, Couric appeared on the "Today" show with her former co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie and announced that she had "completed radiation therapy last week." "I'm so grateful it was caught early enough to be treatable," she said. Couric has been advocating for regular medical screenings since her first husband, Jay Monahan, died of colon cancer in 1998.
(Charlie Halley, Getty Images for Stand Up To Cancer)
In August 2022, actress and singer Maureen McGovern announced on her website that she had been diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, a condition associated with Alzheimer's disease and/or dementia. "I struggled with the inevitable shock, fear, and, frankly, hopelessness," she wrote. "But gradually, I realized that my inner life had not changed. My passion for music, for singing, remains incredibly strong." According to the Alzheimer's Association, posterior cortical atrophy "refers to the gradual and progressive degeneration of the outer layer of the brain, in the part of the brain located at the back of the head.".
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In her 2022 Netflix documentary, Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl, the country music icon opened up about how Lyme disease affected her singing voice. Twain revealed that she contracted the disease toward the end of her Up! tour (which ran from 2003 to 2004) after being bitten by a tick while horseback riding. "My symptoms were pretty scary because before I was diagnosed, I would get really dizzy on stage. I would lose my balance. I was afraid I was going to fall off the stage," Twain said. "I would have these very, very, very short blackouts, but regularly, like every minute or every 30 seconds." Despite releasing her chart-topping album, Now, in 2017, the Grammy Award-winning singer said her "voice was never the same." She continued: "I thought I had lost my voice forever.".
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In March 2019, Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke revealed that she suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms while filming the HBO drama. In July 2022, Clarke elaborated on the event in an interview with BBC's Sunday Morning. "It's amazing that part of my brain is no longer usable—I can still speak, sometimes clearly, and live a completely normal life without any consequences," she said. "I'm in a really, really, really small minority of people who can survive this.".
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In July 2022, Emily Blunt hosted the American Institute of Stuttering's "Freeing Voices, Changing Lives" gala, where she discussed her stuttering and how acting helped her improve her speech. Blunt first noticed her stuttering around age 6 or 7, she told People magazine. "It's a biological issue, often inherited, and it's not your fault. And I think it's often a disability that people mock and ridicule," she said.
(Dan McMedan, USA TODAY)
In June 2022, "General Hospital" actor Cameron Mathison told People magazine that he underwent surgery for kidney cancer in 2019. "I'm working with a health coach now—I thought I knew a lot about what I was doing right and wrong, but in the last year, I'd say maybe 14 months, I've learned more about my specific health issues and my personal growth than I probably had in decades," Mathison told the publication.
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Justin Bieber, who has previously spoken openly about his Lyme disease diagnosis and his experience with "a severe case of chronic mononucleosis," revealed in a June 2022 Instagram post that he has Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by facial paralysis. "As you can see, this eye doesn't blink," Bieber said in the video, referring to the left side of his face. "I can't smile on that side of my face. This nostril doesn't move. So, I have complete paralysis on that side of my face." "I'm doing all these facial exercises to get it back to normal, and it will," he continued. "It's just going to take time, and we don't know how long it's going to take, but it's going to be okay. And I have hope, and I believe in God, and I believe that... none of this is an accident.".
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In a May 2022 interview with People magazine, NSYNC singer Lance Bass revealed he had been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Bass told the publication he was diagnosed five years ago after experiencing debilitating symptoms for some time. "I'd had symptoms before, but I just accepted them, not really knowing what they were. I'd been dancing my whole life, so I just assumed it was from dancing," he said. "It definitely started in my shoulders and then moved to my knees," he added. "And again, to me, it was just a symptom of pain that dancers have, so I just thought it was completely normal, completely ignoring the symptoms.".
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In May 2022, Halsey shared with fans on social media that she had been diagnosed with a slew of new conditions following a hospital stay. "My health has changed so much since I got pregnant and gave birth," the singer said in a series of Instagram stories. "I've been really, really, really sick. I've been sick most of my adult life, but after giving birth, it just got really bad," Halsey said, noting that she was "allergic to literally everything" and had been hospitalized for anaphylactic shock. The singer then revealed that she had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, and postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS).
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Hailey Bieber opened up about the "scariest moment of her life" in April 2022. In a YouTube video titled "Telling My Story," the model opened up about her recent health struggles, revealing that after suffering a "mini-stroke" in March, she had undergone repeat surgery to close a hole in her heart. Bieber began the video by describing a typical day: she and Justin Bieber were having breakfast together. "We were talking, and suddenly I felt this really weird sensation that spread up my arm from my shoulder to my fingertips," she said. When Justin asked if she was okay, Bieber said she "couldn't speak" and that "the right side of my face started drooping. I couldn't get a sentence out." She added, "Immediately, I thought I was having a stroke, a real stroke.".
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Karen Duffy, a former MTV VJ and model, has opened up about her life with chronic pain in her new book, "Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who Lived It." The book, released April 12, 2022, is written in the form of letters to her teenage son, Jack. Duffy long battled sarcoidosis, a disease characterized by the growth of tiny clusters of inflammatory cells anywhere in the body. But she found meaning in her journey to recovery. "I always try to think, 'What's the silver lining in having my life turned upside down?' Maybe it's learning to appreciate every moment and having a deeper compassion for people living with chronic pain," she told People magazine in April 2022. "My body may be crumbling, but my spirit will rise. I wanted to express gratitude for my life.".
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In April 2022, Brian Austin Green shared with his social media followers that he had been "practically bedridden" for six weeks due to ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an "inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the digestive tract," according to the Mayo Clinic. Green credited his then-girlfriend, Sharna Burgess, for caring for him and his children during his recovery. "I'm back. I feel good. Thank God," he said in an Instagram video. "It was a horrible experience. I'm glad it's over.".
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In 2018, Selma Blair announced she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has since continued to keep her followers updated, openly sharing her successes and setbacks in her battle with the disease. The chronic autoimmune disease left the actress with symptoms that left her "in pain all the time." However, in April 2025, the Cruel Intentions star shared positive news, stating that she had been feeling "great" for a year. "I spent so much time feeling tired and unwell that I felt like I was just trying to get through the day," she said. "And now I realize I don't know what my goals are.".
(Valerie Macon, AFP via Getty Images) In September 2021, Stanley Tucci first revealed that he was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer in 2017. He has since spoken in more detail about his struggle, telling People magazine in March 2022 that he was "incredibly lucky" to be alive. "They couldn't operate because the tumor was too big. It's a miracle it didn't metastasize. It was in me for so long," the Devil Wears Prada star said, noting that he had struggled with taste and smell for years. He credited his wife, Felicity, for her "unfailing care" for helping him through, and he is now healthy and enjoying food again. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI)
In October 2021, Rachel Maddow revealed on her primetime show that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer and had undergone surgery to remove the malignant cells. "I want to take this moment to tell you something: you should get checked out," the political commentator said. She added that the surgery was successful.
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Sofia Vergara revealed she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer twenty years ago during the Stand Up To Cancer 2021 fundraiser. "At 28, during a routine doctor's appointment, he felt a lump in my neck. I underwent numerous tests and was finally told I had thyroid cancer," the "Modern Family" star said. "I tried not to panic and decided to get information... I also realized that in times of crisis, we are stronger together.".
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Yvette Nicole Brown claims she developed "full-blown diabetes" while filming Community, where she played Shirley Bennett, after "eating too much sugar" on set. On Dr. Priyanka Wali and Sean Hayes's podcast, The Hypochondriac, she said, "I developed diabetes, or gave myself diabetes, by eating a lot of donuts on the set of Community." She continued, "I spent a lot of time at the crew table, and I watched myself get bigger and bigger. And if you watch the show, you can see me getting bigger and bigger. And I was probably diagnosed with prediabetes in the first season, and by the third season, I was full-blown diabetes." After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Brown said she cut back on sugar but didn't cut it out completely: "I believe everything [should be consumed] in moderation.".
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Jessie J shared on Instagram how heartburn affected her singing. The singer, known for her hit "Bang Bang," was diagnosed with Ménière's disease in 2020 after being hospitalized for hearing and balance issues. "I woke up and felt like I was completely deaf in my right ear, couldn't walk straight," Jessie J said in an Instagram Live video. In June 2021, the singer updated her followers on her health, stating that the steroids she was taking for ear problems had caused severe heartburn and nodules on her vocal cords. "Every doctor told me that if I sing... the nodules will just come back," she wrote on her Instagram Story on June 18. According to the Mayo Clinic, Ménière's disease is "a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizziness (vertigo) and hearing loss." It is a chronic condition that can be relieved with various treatments and medications.
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In March 2021, Mayim Bialik revealed on her podcast, "Mayim Bialik's Breakdown," that she had undergone treatment for anorexia. "I'm talking about this for the first time because people ask, 'Why are you so fat?' Because, in addition to anorexia and restrictive eating, I suffer from compulsive overeating," Bialik said in a conversation with writer Glennon Doyle.
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In an Instagram post on December 1, 2020, Keke Palmer opened up about her struggle with acne as an adult. "PCOS has been attacking me from the inside out my entire life, and I didn't even know it," she confessed in a post showing off her makeup-free skin. She also explained all the ways she tried to combat her acne. "The most harmless thing that PCOS can cause is acne. To anyone struggling with this, please know that you are not alone and that you are still... okay!" she added.
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On the November 6, 2020, episode of the Today show, longtime weather anchor and co-host Al Roker announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would undergo surgery. In November 2022, Roker was also hospitalized for blood clots in his leg that spread to his lungs, and the following month, he was forced to leave the show again for treatment for two bleeding ulcers. "I had one surgery and got four for free," he joked upon returning to the Today show in January 2023 after a two-month hiatus. Later in the podcast, he revealed that he "almost died" due to his health issues, but his family hid the extent of his complications from him.
(Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY)
In October 2020, Jeff Bridges announced on social media that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. "As the Dude would say... New details have surfaced," Bridges tweeted, referencing his iconic 1998 film The Big Lebowski. "While this is a serious condition, I'm fortunate to have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good." In January 2021, Bridges informed fans that his tumor had "shrunk significantly." A few months later, in September, the actor announced that his cancer was in remission.
(Kevork Dzhansezian, USA TODAY)
In 2020, Tamar Braxton spoke candidly about her ongoing struggles with mental health, nearly two weeks after being hospitalized following a suicide attempt. "Mental illness is real," she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. "We need to normalize acknowledging it and stop associating it with shame and humiliation. The pain I've endured for the past 11 years has slowly eaten away at my spirit and mental health." She continued, "I will do everything in my power to help those [struggling] with mental illness... It is only through God's grace and mercy, which I have received in trying to end my pain and my life, that I am here to use my voice.". If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call number 988 at any time of the day or night or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free 24/7 confidential text message support to people in crisis at 741741.
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Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty revealed on Good Morning America in February 2020 that she had been secretly battling cancer. Her lawyer confirmed to USA TODAY that the breast cancer she was first diagnosed with in March 2015 had metastasized, and she suffered from chronic respiratory disease. She had been sharing updates about the progression of her disease for years, revealing in June 2023 that a CT scan performed several months earlier revealed the cancer had spread to her brain. She died on July 14, 2024.
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In a January 2020 interview with Vogue, Katy Perry opened up about her struggle with depression, stating that between 2017 and 2018, she suffered from a depression unlike anything she'd ever experienced. "I became depressed and didn't want to get out of bed. I'd been able to cope with that before, but this time, something happened that made me fall down the stairs," she said. "I had to go through a real journey with mental health." Perry said she wrote her album "Smile" while "going through one of the darkest periods of my life… This whole album is my journey to the light—with stories of resilience, hope, and love.".
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Actress Taraji P. Henson revealed that she sought therapy to cope with depression and anxiety. "There are times when I feel completely helpless. It's human. Everyone feels that way," she told Self magazine in December 2019. "That means when I feel that way, I talk to my therapist and do something to get myself out of that hole." In 2018, Henson founded her nonprofit, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (named after her father, who also struggled with mental health issues), to combat the stigma surrounding mental health in the African-American community.
(Paras Griffin, Getty Images for Tyler Perry Studios)
After being photographed using a cane, Lena Dunham revealed in November 2019 that she has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. "The truth is, this is life when I'm struggling the most with a chronic condition. My Ehlers-Danlos syndrome flare-up means I need support from more than just friends... so thank you, my sweet cane!" she wrote on Instagram. In November 2017, Dunham also underwent a total hysterectomy (removal of her cervix and uterus) to relieve severe pain caused by endometriosis, a condition in which tissue normally lining the uterus grows in other areas of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. She has undergone more than a dozen surgeries related to the condition.
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Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken openly about her sobriety. "Once I quit drinking, and I'll be 20 years sober in February, everything changed," she told USA TODAY in October 2018. "Because it was a really, really big realization that I couldn't do all the things I was trying to do.".
(Jesse Grant, Getty Images for Disney)
Sarah Hyland is open about her life with renal dysplasia, a condition that occurs when the kidneys grow abnormally in the uterus. She has undergone two kidney transplants and wants fans to know that having health issues is "no shame." In a 2018 interview with Self magazine, she said, "For anyone who wants to reach out to someone but doesn't know how because they're too proud or think they'll be seen as weak, there's no shame in saying that. There's no shame in sharing that." She has also been diagnosed with endometriosis.
(Frazer Harrison, Getty Images) Jane Fonda has said she's survived "numerous cancers." But the actress, now in her 80s, continues to work, sharing several stories of tumor removal. (Dan McMedan/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Early in his career with the Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas revealed to fans that he had type 1 diabetes. In 2018, he shared on Instagram that he prioritizes "physical health, exercise, healthy eating, and blood sugar management" and reminded fans that "nothing should stop you from living your life to the fullest.".
(Rachel Luna, Getty Images for ABA)
Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez has suffered from thyroid issues since age 19, and at 26, she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's, which can cause fatigue, memory loss, joint pain, and weight gain. The actress has spoken openly about how she initially felt defeated by the disease before deciding to fight it. Her Hashimoto's diagnosis felt like a "lifelong curse," she told Self magazine in 2018. But she developed a diet and exercise program that helped her regain control of her body. By avoiding foods she says are bad for her, "a lot of my ailments disappear," she said. "It's a feeling of freedom. It's something new. I'm 33. It took me a while.".
(Rich Polk, Getty Images for IMDb)
Gabrielle Union has adenomyosis, a condition in which endometrial tissue, the tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows into the outer muscular walls of the uterus. In a 2018 interview with Essence magazine, the actress revealed that it took her and her husband, Dwyane Wade, some time to conceive because of it. "Towards the end of my journey to conceive, I finally got answers because everyone was saying, 'You're a career girl,' 'you put your career first. You waited too long, and now you're just too old to have a child—and it's your fault for wanting a career," she said. "The truth is, I have adenomyosis.".
(JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX, AFP via Getty Images)
Michael J. Fox has been publicly battling Parkinson's disease for over three decades. In 2018, he revealed his spinal surgery and the arduous physical therapy sessions that followed. Over the years, Fox has sustained numerous fractures, including in both arms, his shoulder, his eye socket, his cheekbone, and his hand, leading to a serious infection. Fox manages his symptoms, such as facial paralysis, with medication and trains to maintain his ability to walk independently. In 2025, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for "warming hearts and captivating audiences as a fearless advocate for people with Parkinson's disease.".
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Selena Gomez has spoken publicly about her struggle with lupus and bipolar disorder, including in her Apple TV+ documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me. In 2017, Gomez announced she had undergone a kidney transplant, donated by her friend Francia Raisa. In an interview with the Today show later that year, she described the procedure as a "deadly" step. She said she underwent the transplant as part of her battle with lupus, an autoimmune disease that often attacks the kidneys. The singer also underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
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Glee star Lea Michele began experiencing symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome around 2016, and she's been open about side effects like weight gain and skin problems. "I went to see a wonderful doctor, and as soon as she examined me, she was like, 'Oh, you have PCOS.' That explained everything," she told People magazine in September 2019. "I managed it through diet. But I'm very lucky. There are much more severe forms of PCOS that women have a hard time dealing with—I don't have it as severe. That's why I haven't talked about it much, because there are women who have it much more severely.".
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Celine Dion and other celebrities are openly discussing chronic illnesses and health problems.
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Celebrities like Selma Blair, Jada Pinkett Smith, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber are open about their health struggles, encouraging their fans to do the same. Here are a few more stars who have opened up about their health struggles. Model and socialite Lori Harvey revealed that she has been battling polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis—reproductive system conditions with unknown causes—for years. In a September 2025 episode of the "She MD Podcast," the businesswoman revealed that gynecologists ignored her symptoms for years before receiving a proper diagnosis.
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The singer's music was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song, along with Earl Rose, for "I Found Love" from the 1993 series All My Children.
The singer has remained active over the years, with his latest album, Stand for Love, released in 2018.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Peabo Bryson suffers stroke - Disney singer receives medical attention.