Celebrities w/Kidney Disease

[Amanda From OZ]

Jonah Lomu - A Famous New Zealand  Rugby Player.

And Mr. Rimbo, mind if i ask you where we could possibly know you from?? Wait a minute, i remember one time we went into this Adult Book Store and there was this video and the guy...... he looked just......with a thicker mustache and a fro, i think................naaaaaaaaah, couldn't be (but if it is, can you autograph my movie)

There ya go again Susie trying to corrupt another poor innocent mind........! 

[paddbear0000]

And Mr. Rimbo, mind if i ask you where we could possibly know you from??   Wait a minute, i remember one time we went into this Adult Book Store and there was this video and the guy...... he looked just......with a thicker mustache and a fro, i think................naaaaaaaaah, couldn't be     (but if it is, can you autograph my movie)     

  I cracked up laughing in the middle of class (it was a computer class--I'm not  )! Thank goodness the professor didn't make me share what I was laughing about!!   

[okarol]

Resurrecting an old thread:

Actor Grizz Chapman of NBC's "30 Rock" is serving as an advocate for organ donation, just a month after undergoing a kidney transplant.

Sean Elliot, NBA Basketball, San Antonio Spurs star, is a kidney recipient   

Aron Eisenberg, actor from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a transplant patient

Actress Lee Remick had Kidney, Liver, Lung Cancer

Among the names in: "Notable people, who have been successfully treated for kidney cancer" are US director Steven Spielberg and BBC journalist Nicholas Owen.

David Westling, husband to Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria underwent a kidney transplant in 2009. His father was the donor.

Hollywood fashion commentator Steven Cojocaru has now had 2 kidney transplants.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_organ_transplant_donors_and_recipients

Here's an update to the previous list:

Name                   Occupation    Birth           Death               Known for
Marion Barry             Politician       6-Mar-1936                          Twice Mayor of Washington, DC
Erma Bombeck             Columnist    21-Feb-1927    22-Apr-1996     The Grass is Always Greener
John Brockington     Football        7-Sep-1948                          Green Bay Packers RB
Tony Canadeo             Football        5-May-1919    29-Nov-2003     The Gray Ghost of Gonzaga
Steven Cojocaru             Critic            5-Jan-1965                          Entertainment Tonight fashion critic
Natalie Cole             Singer          6-Feb-1950                             Singer-daughter of Nat King Cole
Kenny Easley             Football      15-Jan-1959                          Seattle Seahawks
Freddy Fender             Musician        4-Jun-1937    14-Oct-2006     Before the Next Teardrop Falls
Charles B. Fruit             Business        c. 1947    27-May-2008     Chief Marketing Officer at Coca-Cola
James Holshouser     Politician       8-Oct-1934                             Governor of North Carolina, 1973-77
Ken Howard             Actor       28-Mar-1944                          The White Shadow
Bruno Kreisky             Head of State   22-Jan-1911  29-Jul-1990     Chancellor of Austria, 1970-83
George Lopez             Comic          23-Apr-1961                          Stand-up comic, George Lopez Show
Jay Miner                     Engineer      31-May-1932       20-Jun-1994     Father of the Amiga Computer
Kerry Packer             Business      17-Dec-1937       26-Dec-2005    Richest man in Australia
Billy Preston    Singer/Songwriter   9-Sep-1946         6-Jun-2006     You Are So Beautiful
Carroll Shelby        Auto Racing      11-Jan-1923                          Racecar designer
Zulu                             Actor           17-Oct-1937         3-May-2004     Kono on Hawaii 5-O

http://www.nndb.com/event/578/000091305/

I'm sure there must be more. 

[RightSide]

Other famous kidney disease sufferers:

James Michener, author

and perhaps Osama bin Laden (according to former Pakistani president Musharraf and other reports)

[bette1]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Natalie Cole.  She was on dialysis for awhile and went on Larry King to talk about it.  I know she got a kidney but I'm not sure if it was a live donor.  The interview was interesting because she talked about how you cold buy a kidney in India but she wasn't planning to do that.

I believe her kidney failure was do to hepatitis. 

[okarol]

Natalie Cole is mentioned in my previous post. There are also stories about her transplant in the NEWS section.

She actually got a kidney from a fan's family, their loved one was on life support and directed the kidney to go to her. It's a unique situation.

[Treasure]

Oh my! Am I going to have to resurrect my blog-- I'm Famous, Give me a Kidney?

http://imfamousgivemeakidney.blogspot.com/

I created that blog in response to Natalie King's appearance on Larry King. Maybe it's time for an update, because I haven't received my celebrity kidney yet. *squee*

[Riki]

I know of one other, but I don't want to say who it is, cuz it's not public info.  I got it from a member of his family that I met in the States when I was there and they told me when they found out I was on dialysis.

[okarol]

I know of one other, but I don't want to say who it is, cuz it's not public info.  I got it from a member of his family that I met in the States when I was there and they told me when they found out I was on dialysis.

Oh tell us, we won't tell anyone. 

[kamar55]

James Michener took himself off dialysis soon after his 90th birthday and passed away.

[natlarson]

I'm not famous (YET), I had a transplant in 2003 that rejected in 2008 I'm back on dialysis waiting for a kidney, my blood type is O negative and I have a PRA (Panel Reactive Antogen) of 91%. that means I have antibodies for 91% of the antogens in the world. www.ourstage.com/profile/natlarson to check out my music! Prayin for those of ya on dialysis, or waiting for a kidney. HANG IN THERE!!! IT WILL HAPPEN!!!

[Riki]

I intend to be a famous person with kidney disease.... if my writing career ever gets off the ground.  I'd like to be the next David Sedaris, but I don't think I'm that good.. or funny..

[okarol]

A very famous actress in the 1930's The Very First Blonde Bombshell, Jean Harlow, died of kidney failure. That was, of course, before the days of dialysis and transplants.

  I didn't realize she was so young. Wikipedia mentions "her sudden death from renal failure at age 26."

[okarol]

Michael Grasso, Magician/Illusionist from season 5 of "America's Got Talent" (came in 5th place) has had three kidney transplants.

[RichardMEL]

James DePreist, is a well known Classical music conductor - he had a transplant in 2001 I believe. I saw him once live here in Melbourne - he basically sat on a chair on stage to conduct (very unusual-though understandable - I think he was still on dialysis at the time - oh and it seems this is also the result of a battle with polio). I used to think it was amazing he travelled the world conducting music and doing dialysis.

http://www.answers.com/topic/james-depreist

[texasstyle]

I know this is about celebrities with kidney transplants and oddly enough I don't know of anyone PERSONALLY wo has had a kidney transplant, but I do know of someone who has had a Liver TP 5 years ago. It came from a young boy who was in an automobile accident. They met the family and share holiday dinners of 5 years now. He is now retired and spends his time just as much as a full time job going around from schools and into different functions sharing his story. He has now dedicated his life to organ donation as he says it has completely changed his life. I have seen him on local tv a few times discussing transplant options and donation. He has also been on talk radio. I feel that someone who is fortunate enough to have the time and spends majority of it on a subject such a transplant needs is a celebrity in my eyes. No all are able to do this, but how wonderful he is. The more attn brough to it the better. I think a lot of people are leary because they are uneducated and not properly informed. People who have been through a TP should share their story. Just my 2 cents

[RightSide]

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Late Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua had a kidney transplant in 2002 while still a state governor in Africa's most populous nation, but avoided having another one while he was president over fears it would cause unrest, according to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.

The cables suggest Nigeria's top power brokers in its ruling People's Democratic Party knew about Yar'Adua's condition, but still propped him up to become the winning presidential candidate in 2007. Aides to the president stuffed his clothes to hide his weight loss and used makeup to hide his pallor, the cables claim, but his illness ultimately led to a long absence from the oil-rich nation that fueled public discontent.

[Brightsky69]

George Lopez got a transplant from his wife.....now they are getting a divorce. I am sure it has nothing to do with the transplant. 
I think celebrities seem like they get a transplant faster than than rest of us because it never gets reported that they even need one until it actually happens. Then it seems like it comes from out of the blue.

[wj13us]

I'm a little bit famous.   

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/features/cover_story/videos/vid_386.shtml

Bill

[okarol]

Two actors from the tv show "30 Rock" Tracy Morgan and Grizz Chapman got kidney transplants in 2010.

[lmunchkin]

Im not for sure but I think "Hoss Cartwright" from the show Bonanza had Kidney failure. Dont quote me on that but it seems I read somewhere that he did. 

Thing is if celebrities get it, like B69 said, they gonna get a transplant before anyone!  You never hear of one advocating for the rest of the ones who suffer this disease and have been waiting for the call for years!  It would be nice if one of them stepped up for the cause whether they have it or not! Amen? 
lmunchkin   

[HouseOfDialysis]

I know an adult film star with PKD.

[okarol]

I found this about Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartwright) In 1972, Blocker died suddenly from a post-op blood-clot to the lungs, following surgery to remove kidney stones.

Pulitzer winner and new-journalism pioneer Norman Mailer, author of "The Naked and the Dead," died in New York City of acute kidney failure at 84, on November 10, 2007

2005 - - Sandra Dee, the actress who played GIDGET, has died from kidney disease at age 62 years.

Actress Shirley Hemphill (pictured below) appeared in the 70's sitcom "What's Happening." She died in 1999 from kidney failure. She was 50 years old.

[lmunchkin]

Thanks Okarol. I knew something about his passing had to do with the word Kidney. Glad you cleared that up!

   lmunchkin

[okarol]

World Series of Poker Celebrity Kidney Transplant Recipient: Jennifer Harman is apparently one of the most famous female professional poker players in the world, having done quite well at the prestigious "World Series of Poker" tournament. It turns out she is also a kidney transplant recipient, having undergone 2 transplants.

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey's husband shared a bit more about his health struggles, explained that his kidney problems and more recent blood clots in his lungs stem from a "lupus type" autoimmune condition.

Julia Child, chef, died in 2004 of kidney failure.