PatientsFamous Vitiligans

Famous Vitiligans

Many celebrities have dealt with vitiligo while remaining in the public eye, maintaining a positive outlook, and having a successful career. A list of famous vitiligans features elected officials, businessmen, athletes, actors, radio and TV hosts in almost every country.

Here are a few famous and courageous people who show that vitiligo doesn’t have to get in the way of your hopes and dreams:

  • Winnie HarlowTop model

    Winnie Harlow

    Top model

    A model who has proved that vitiligo is no barrier to success in the fashion business by competing on top-rated modelling show America's Next Top Model. She has walked runways across the world, won a contract with Spanish clothing brand Desigual and featured in magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan.

  • Michael JacksonThe King of Pop (1958-2009)

    Michael Jackson

    The King of Pop (1958-2009)

    The King of Pop needs little introduction. Modern artistry and music would look and sound completely different without his groundbreaking contributions. He won hundreds of awards, making him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of popular music.

  • Lee Thomas4x Emmy Award Nominee

    Lee Thomas

    4x Emmy Award Nominee

    An Emmy-award winning broadcaster who is currently a weekday morning show anchor and entertainment ‘guru’ at WJBK Fox 2 Detroit. He is also an author and motivational speaker who travels the world sharing his story while challenging people to live their life to the full in the face of any adversity.

  • Big Krizz KalikoRapper and singer

    Big Krizz Kaliko

    Rapper and singer

    An American rapper and singer. He used the name of the disease he suffers from as the title for his debut album that peaked at number 19 on the Top Independent Albums and number 167 on the Billboard 200 in May 2008. His fourth studio album, titled Kickin' and Screamin' reached number 43 on the Billboard in 2012.

  • Yvette FieldingBroadcaster, producer and actress

    Yvette Fielding

    Broadcaster, producer and actress

    She is best known for being the presenter of the TV shows Blue Peter, Most Haunted, Most Haunted Live!, and Ghosthunting With... . Along with her husband Karl Beattie she launched the Paranormal Channel in the UK in 2008 - the first TV channel in the world dedicated to the paranormal.

  • Rasheed Abdul WallaceProfessional basketball player

    Rasheed Abdul Wallace

    Professional basketball player

    A retired American professional basketball player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, and is an honorable member of the NBA All-Star team. Wallace popularized the phrase ‘ball don't lie’ and is known for his community support in his hometown of Detroit.

  • Eddie "Among Ed" Tongol PanlilioRoman Catholic priest

    Eddie "Among Ed" Tongol Panlilio

    Roman Catholic priest

    A dedicated and beloved Roman Catholic priest and governor of the province of Pampanga in the Philippines. Panlilio was named ‘Filipino of the Year’ by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 2007 when elected above his two leading competitors without backing from any political party

  • Graham NortonIrish comic presenter

    Graham Norton

    Irish comic presenter

    An Irish comic presenter based in the United Kingdom, he is the host of comedy chat show The Graham Norton Show. Norton is known for his innuendo-laden dialogue and flamboyant presentation style and has won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance on five occasions.

  • Holly Marie CombsActress and television producer

    Holly Marie Combs

    Actress and television producer

    An American actress and television producer who was appearing in commercials by the age of 10, before a number of successful roles in films and TV shows. Holly Marie Combs served as a producer for four seasons on smash-hit show ‘Charmed’, and landed another regular series after that.

  • Amitabh BacchanIndian actor

    Amitabh Bacchan

    Indian actor

    A hugely popular figure in India and abroad who is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the ‘angry young man’ of Bollywood, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in his long career.

  • Richard Mark HammondBritish presenter, radio host, writer and journalist

    Richard Mark Hammond

    British presenter, radio host, writer and journalist

    A British presenter, radio host, writer and journalist. Richard is most widely recognized for his work on hit global car show ‘Top Gear’. Richard had survived a serious crash while driving a jet-powered racing car at 288 miles per hour but returned to the show after recovering.

  • Hedvig LindahlA soccer goalkeeper

    Hedvig Lindahl

    A soccer goalkeeper

    A soccer goalkeeper who plays for Kristianstads DFF in Sweden. Since making her international debut in 2002, Lindahl has accrued over 90 caps for the Sweden women's national football team. Hedvig Lindahl has been named Swedish women's Goalkeeper Of The Year three times.

  • Eric Arthur HammerAmerican artist

    Eric Arthur Hammer

    American artist

    An American artist better known by his nom de plume Doc Hammer. He is best recognized for his role in creation of animated program "The Venture Bros" for the Cartoon Network. Although he played in several gothic rock bands, Doc Hammer`s most absolute passion is painting and he has become successful with his artwork.

  • "Fez" Marie WhatleyAmerican talk radio host and comedian

    "Fez" Marie Whatley

    American talk radio host and comedian

    An American talk radio host and comedian who originally became well known after becoming a producer and contributor for The Ron and Ron Show in Florida. Fez had been playing a flamboyant character on the air for more than 20 years. His top movie acting credits include Grand Theft Auto IV.

  • Karl DunbarAmerican football

    Karl Dunbar

    American football

    An American football, D-line coach for the NY Jets, who stands with his men like a sergeant in the battle. After a brief stint as a police officer at the end of his NFL career, Dunbar started coaching. He refuses to let vitiligo get in the way of his job. Karl uses his platform as an NFL coach to inform people about vitiligo.

  • Kara Louise TointonEnglish actress

    Kara Louise Tointon

    English actress

    An English actress, best known for playing Dawn Swann in BBC soap opera 'EastEnders.' Not only is she a wonderful actress but she is also highly trained in dance. In 2010 she won the Strictly Come Dancing a series aired on BBC television. Kara Loise is gorgeous and exceedingly bright young girl with a big personality to spare.

  • Bryan DanielsonAn American independent professional wrestler

    Bryan Danielson

    An American independent professional wrestler

    Also known as "American Dragon." Danielson has held the top titles of all three promotions (the ROH World Championship, the FIP World Championship, and the PWG World Championship), and is a former head trainer of the ROH Wrestling Academy.

  • Scott JorgensenAn American mixed martial artist

    Scott Jorgensen

    An American mixed martial artist

    An American mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of the UFC under the Young Guns nickname. Scott enjoys takedowns and dirty boxing, and he will take victory no matter how he has to secure it. Scott's white vitiligo skin makes his famous tatoos look bright and colorful.

  • Shante ArtisRapper, ghost/song writer and entrepreneur

    Shante Artis

    Rapper, ghost/song writer and entrepreneur

    Aka L.U.V. aka the Rapping Housewife. She began rapping and performing at the early age of 11, and since has become one the most under estimated, underground female artist in the game. A relentless 'go getter, 'L.U.V. stands alone as a rapper, ghost/song writer and entrepreneur taking the level of hip hop for woman to an ultimate high.

  • Jonathan Daniel "Jon" HammAn American actor and TV director

    Jonathan Daniel "Jon" Hamm

    An American actor and TV director

    Hamm gained wide recognition for playing advertising executive Don Draper in the AMC drama series Mad Men, including winning Golden Globe Award and ten Emmy Award nominations. The stress of shooting Mad Men has landed Jon with a case of vitiligo.

  • Michaela DePrinceA rising American ballet star

    Michaela DePrince

    A rising American ballet star

    A rising American ballet star born in Sierra Leone who was abandoned at a young age after her parents died, and frequently malnourished, mistreated, and derided and labelled a ‘devil child’ because of vitiligo. After being adopted by an American family, she pursued a successful professional career and is often seen on TV.

  • Don AlderAcoustic Guitar is a multi-award winning guitarist from Canada

    Don Alder

    Acoustic Guitar is a multi-award winning guitarist from Canada

    Who tackles many parts at once, blending traditional fingerstyle work with extended techniques such as slapped harmonics, fretting over the neck, and mimicking a drum kit by beating the soundboard. Alder put his music career on hold for two and half years to help his friend Rick Hansen go around the world in a wheelchair.

  • Marcus HaranHip-hop, producer and beatboxer

    Marcus Haran

    Hip-hop, producer and beatboxer

    Marcus Haran, a rising hip-hop, producer and beatboxer that has emerged out of Paris of a Sri Lankan origin, and raised in Toronto. Marcus is a living reminder that true artistic creativity is undefined and unbound by limitations. He himself is united piece of artwork in which his vitiligo and many talents and abilities are intricately woven together.

  • Feng Xiao GangChinese actor, film maker and producer

    Feng Xiao Gang

    Chinese actor, film maker and producer

…and also

  • Édouard Charles Philippe (the ex-prime minister of France, Mayor of Le Havre)
  • late Dudley Moore (film score composer and screenwriter, comedian, musician, producer)
  • Steve Martin (comic, banjo player, and film star)
  • J. D. Runnels (American football player from Oklahoma)
  • Joe Rogan (comedian, TV commentator, film screenwriter and producer)
  • Tamar Braxton (R&B singer and over-the-top personality on 'Braxton Family Values')
  • Mark Andres, aka Sisqo (popular actor and R&B singer in Hollywood)
  • Jonathan Morris Henson (comedian and TV host)
  • Thomas Lennon (actor, comedian, screenwriter and director)
  • Darius Vernon (fashion model and musician)

Please note that we have assembled this list from both online and offline sources. If you spot a discrepancy in this list please contact us so we amend the entry.

FAQOther Questions

  • Will it spread?

    Vitiligo activity may vary considerably from person to person. The natural course of vitiligo is truly unpredictable but usually progressive. The most recent VALIANT study on v...

  • What is the best therapy for localized vitiligo?

    Localized vitiligo, where the white patches are limited to one or a few areas of the body, can be managed with a few treatment approaches. The best therapy usually depends on th...

  • How can I cure vitiligo?

    There is no cure for vitiligo, but there are a number of effective treatment options that can be discussed with your GP or dermatologist. The aim of treatment is to stop new pat...