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The Unyielding Fight: 5 Celebrities With ALS Who Are Defining Courage In 2025

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that attacks nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis and, eventually, death. As of late 2025, the global community continues to be reminded of the devastating nature of this illness through the public battles of prominent figures. This article provides a comprehensive, current look at the celebrities who are bravely living with ALS, those who have recently passed, and the urgent advocacy efforts that are shaping the future of research and treatment.

The impact of a celebrity diagnosis immediately raises international awareness, transforming a rare disease into a household topic and driving critical funding for research. The recent, public diagnosis of a major television star and the passing of several beloved icons in 2024 and 2025 have brought the fight against ALS back into the spotlight, highlighting the need for accelerated access to care and therapeutic breakthroughs.

Profiles of Courage: Celebrities Recently Diagnosed or Actively Advocating in 2025

The stories of those living with ALS are powerful testaments to resilience, turning personal tragedy into public advocacy. The following list focuses on individuals who have recently shared their journey or whose battles have been recently concluded, providing the most current and relevant information on the disease's impact in the public sphere.

Eric Dane: The New Face of ALS Advocacy

  • Full Name: Eric T. Dane
  • Born: November 9, 1972 (Age 53 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Known For: Dr. Mark Sloan ("McSteamy") on Grey's Anatomy, Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, and his recent guest role as an ALS patient on the NBC drama Brilliant Minds.
  • Diagnosis Date: Announced in April 2025.
  • Current Status: Dane is actively managing his Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis symptoms and has become a major advocate. He is publicly pushing for the continuation of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS) funding, meeting with congressmen to secure research funds for the next three years. His wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, has also spoken out about the diagnosis, emphasizing the family's commitment to the fight.

Steve Gleason: The Indomitable Spirit

  • Full Name: Stephen Michael Gleason
  • Born: December 19, 1977 (Age 48 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Former NFL Safety for the New Orleans Saints
  • Known For: Blocking a punt in the New Orleans Saints' first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
  • Diagnosis Date: Announced in January 2011.
  • Current Status: Gleason is one of the longest-surviving high-profile figures with ALS, still living with the disease as of 2025. His foundation, Team Gleason, continues to be a leading voice in providing technology and services for those with ALS and driving research toward a cure.

Roberta Flack: A Quiet Battle

  • Full Name: Roberta Cleopatra Flack
  • Born: February 10, 1937 (Age 88 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
  • Known For: Grammy-winning hits like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly with His Song," and "Feel Like Makin' Love."
  • Diagnosis Date: Her management announced in November 2022 that she had been diagnosed with ALS, making it impossible for her to sing.
  • Current Status: The legendary artist is no longer able to sing, but her foundation continues to support music education. Her ongoing battle highlights the disease's impact on muscle control, including the vocal cords.

In Memoriam: The Icons We Lost to ALS in 2024 and 2025

ALS claimed the lives of several prominent figures in the last two years, each leaving behind a legacy of strength and inspiring their communities to continue the fight against this motor neuron disease. Their public battles have served as a powerful, somber reminder of the disease’s rapid progression.

Steve "Mongo" McMichael (1957–2025)

  • Full Name: Stephen Douglas McMichael
  • Born: October 17, 1957
  • Died: April 23, 2025 (Age 67)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Professional Football Player (Defensive Tackle) and Professional Wrestler
  • Known For: Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX champion, Pro Football Hall of Famer.
  • ALS Journey: McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. His years-long battle was publicly documented, with support from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. His death in 2025 was a major loss for the NFL community, shortly after his induction into the Hall of Fame.

George Kooymans (1948–2025)

  • Full Name: George Jan Kooymans
  • Born: March 11, 1948
  • Died: July 2025 (Age 77)
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Occupation: Musician, Singer, Songwriter
  • Known For: Co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the iconic Dutch rock band Golden Earring, famous for the global hits "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone."
  • ALS Journey: Kooymans was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting disease in 2020, which led to the disbandment of Golden Earring after 60 years. His family confirmed his passing in 2025 from the effects of ALS.

Kenneth Mitchell (1974–2024)

  • Full Name: Kenneth Alexander Mitchell
  • Born: November 25, 1974
  • Died: February 24, 2024 (Age 49)
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Known For: Multiple roles in the Star Trek: Discovery franchise (Klingon characters Kol and Tenavik), and the father of Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel.
  • ALS Journey: Mitchell lived with ALS for over five years, publicly sharing his journey with "courage, resilience, and strength." His passing in early 2024 was mourned by the entire *Star Trek* family and the broader entertainment industry.

Topical Authority: The Latest Hope in ALS Research and Treatment

The urgency amplified by celebrity diagnoses fuels massive investment into understanding and treating this relentless neurodegenerative disease. While there is currently no cure for ALS, the research landscape in 2025 is more dynamic than ever, with new drug targets and clinical trials offering glimmers of hope.

Breakthroughs in Drug Development

The most significant recent advancement in the field is the 2023 approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of tofersen (Qalsody). This drug is a major step forward because it is the first treatment approved for a specific genetic form of ALS, targeting the SOD1 gene mutation. This breakthrough validates the power of personalized medicine and genetic targeting in the fight against the disease.

The 2025 Research Landscape

The 2025 ALS Drug Development Summit in Boston brought together researchers and pharmaceutical companies to discuss new potential drug targets and advancing clinical trials. Efforts are focused on dozens of companies developing new treatments, including those exploring new technologies like transcranial histotripsy, which is being validated in 2025. The funding from initiatives like the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) continues to be instrumental in changing treatment paradigms and discovering new targets for therapy.

LSI Keywords and Entities in the ALS Fight

The public discourse surrounding ALS involves a complex web of scientific and advocacy entities. Key terms and organizations frequently mentioned alongside the celebrity stories include: Lou Gehrig's disease, motor neuron disease (MND), neurodegenerative disease, ALS Association, Ice Bucket Challenge (which dramatically raised initial awareness and funding), clinical trials, FDA approval, biomarkers, genetic mutations (like SOD1), riluzole (an older approved medication), and edaravone (Radicava). These entities underscore the comprehensive effort required from the medical community, government, and public advocates like Eric Dane and the Team Gleason foundation to turn hope into a cure.

celebrities with als
celebrities with als

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