Share

7 celebrities who had Bell’s palsy

accreditation
The actress, Angelina Jolie.
The actress, Angelina Jolie.
Wikimedia Commons

In a cover story interview with Vanity Fair, 41-year-old actress Angelina Jolie opened up about life after her divorce from Brad Pitt, as well as her health struggles after being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes partial facial paralysis.

What is Bell’s palsy?

Bell’s palsy is a temporary neurological disorder that occurs when a set of nerves in the face (usually the 7th cranial nerve) is temporarily damaged. It may result in the partial drooping of some facial features.

Bell's palsy occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles is swollen, inflamed, or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. The causes of Bell's palsy remain unclear, although blood vessel involvement, infections, and genetic, and immunologic causes have all been considered.

A non-life-threatening disease, Bell’s palsy affects 15 to 40 people out of 100 000 in the South African population. The onset is sudden, and can affect the left or right side of the face.

Here  are seven other celebrities who also suffered from Bell’s palsy:

1. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, famous for musicals such as Evita, Cats and Phantom of the Opera suffered from Bell’s palsy back in 2002. One morning when he woke up, he found his face paralysed.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber had Bell's palsy

2. Pierce Brosnan

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, known for his four roles in James Bond films, suffered from Bell’s palsy in his youth and has since fully recovered.

Pierce Brosnan is a celebrity who had Bell's Palsy

3. George Clooney

American actor George Clooney, winner of three Golden Globes and famous for his roles in Oceans Eleven, had Bell’s palsy in middle school. That sultry half-smile is an after effect of the condition.

George Clooney had Bell's palsy

4. Tony Gonzalez

Former American NFL football player Tony Gonzalez had a bout of Bell’s palsy during his off-season in 2007. He has since embarked on a healthy, organic lifestyle and diet.

Tony Gonzalez had Bell's Palsy in 2007

5. Rick Savage

Musician Rick “Sav” Savage who is known as the bassist for Def Leppard, suffered from Bell’s palsy in 1994. This caused severe weakening of his facial muscles, and the effect of the condition remains visible.

Rick Savage from Def Leppard on stage

6. Roseanne Barr

When the American actress and comedian was only three years old, she woke up one day to find the left side of her face paralysed. She recovered two weeks later.

Roseanne Barr

7. Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester “Sly” Stallone, famous for his role in Rocky, is especially known for his slurred speaking and his crooked smile, which are both residual effects from Bell's palsy.

Sylvester Stallone

All images from Wikimedia Commons

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE