5 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Have Sleep Apnea

The long, sleepless nights and days filled with exhaustion can easily make someone with sleep apnea in Jupiter feel like they are the only person in the world struggling with it, even though over 20 million people suffer from the same disorder in the U.S. alone. Sleep apnea is actually much more common than you might think, and many famous faces have to deal with this exact problem every night. Which ones? As you’ll see in the list of celebrities below, if you’re currently dealing with sleep apnea, you’re actually in very good company!

1. Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler came to prominence as a standout cast member of Saturday Night Live before becoming the star of the beloved Parks & Recreation. After she became pregnant, she found herself feeling constantly exhausted, and she was eventually diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Pregnant women, as it turns out, are actually very susceptible to developing sleep apnea. She now reportedly sleeps with a CPAP machine and has enjoyed a drastic increase in her energy level.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Yes, even (former) professional athletes can have sleep apnea, too! Standing at 7’2 and coming in at 330 pounds, Shaq’s immense size may have made him ideally suited for basketball, but his frame also makes him very likely to have OSA. He was eventually diagnosed with the condition by the Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine and currently uses a CPAP machine. He has actually gone on to produce a video series in association with the Harvard Medical School to document his journey from diagnosis to treatment and how his life has changed.

3. Adam Savage

Adam Savage metaphorically blew our minds and literally blew up plenty of things as the host of Myth Busters, and he too found himself dealing with OSA. He went on to be diagnosed with the disorder, lose 30 pounds, and be prescribed a CPAP machine. He has since been very open about how much seeking treatment has improved his quality of life.

4. Regis Philbin

The seemingly ageless former host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Live with Regis & Kathy Lee suffered from heart problems for years, which were likely at least partially due to his sleep apnea. His wife eventually convinced him to seek out treatment, and he currently uses a CPAP machine to manage the condition. As you can see from his numerous TV appearances, he’s more energetic than ever these days.

5. Randy Jackson

Well-known musician, producer, and judge on American Idol Randy Jackson only discovered that he had OSA after being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. He since went on to lose a considerable amount of weight thanks to a gastric bypass and routinely uses a CPAP at night.

You’re Not Alone

As you can see, sleep apnea doesn’t really discriminate, and you’re far from alone if you’re currently struggling with it. Fortunately, you don’t have to be rich or famous to seek out treatment like these examples. Simply contact your doctor, tell them about your symptoms, and you’ll be well on your way to getting the help you need. Even though you might not be a celebrity, by getting your sleep apnea under control, you can certainly sleep like one, drastically improving your life while significantly extending it.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a certified sleep dentist with over 30 years of experience providing sleep apnea treatment in Jupiter. If you believe that you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, he can help you get the treatment you need, and you can contact him through his website for more information.