William Shatner, Amy Poehler, Josh Jackson, and Dominic Smith are just a few of the celebrities whose life improved once they were diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Celebrities suffer from and overcome illnesses just like the rest of us, with the difference being their unique ability to bring their personal stories and experiences into the public sphere for discussion. The important conversations that celebrities initiate are for the benefit of the mass population, who may benefit from new learnings, or have their life improved as a result of the discussion. Celebrities are able to shine a light on human and social issues that are important to people and can inspire fresh thinking, new perspectives, or enlightenment.
Several celebrities have suffered from sleep apnea. From the initial diagnosis, to dealing with the CPAP therapy that improved their quality of life, a few celebrities actively share their stories about personal challenges with the sleep apnea diagnosis and overcoming the illness with CPAP therapy. Their experiences may remind you of your own, or provide some comfort knowing you and your family members are not the only ones with sleep apnea.
Celebrity Stories:
William Shatner
William Shatner, known for his role on Star Trek, was diagnosed with sleep apnea over 10 years ago. In several interviews, he talked about how his diagnosis and CPAP therapy changed his life.
In June 2019, SoClean announced William Shatner as the official celebrity spokesperson for the brand. William was selected because he is a sleep apnea patient himself and was able to speak authentically about how his life improved because of SoClean’s ease & convenience and the peace of mind he gained knowing his equipment was sanitized.
Amy Poehler
In a 2014 review of Amy’s book, Yes Please, Amy commented on her recent struggles with sleep apnea. The review stated that sleep is something she continues to struggle with. Sometimes she remembers to use her CPAP machine and other times she tries alternative healing methods, including breathing strips, mouth guards, and special pillows. Ensuring that you have a good night of sleep, “Helps you win at life,” she states in the book. Using a CPAP machine has helped her and many other sleep apnea patients sleep soundly. While Amy has openly discussed her struggles with sleep apnea, she has not officially endorsed SoClean or described her CPAP hygiene process publicly.
Dominic Smith
As a baseball player for the New York Mets, Dominic Smith attributes strong performance to getting a better night’s rest. In a Mets Blog post from March 2019, Dominic’s struggle with sleep apnea was discussed. He talked about how restless nights caused by his sleep apnea negatively impacted his performance. "What I would perceive as a 103 mph fastball would actually be 95 (mph)," he was quoted in the article. After his sleep apnea diagnosis, he prioritized getting a good night of sleep and received a CPAP machine. His performance dramatically improved, and he felt more energetic throughout the day. "I have more energy now," he said. "I come to the park feeling good." Dominic Smith has also not officially endorsed SoClean or described his CPAP hygiene process.
Other Celebrities With Sleep Apnea
Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, a sleep center located in California, published a list of other celebrities that also suffer from sleep apnea. The list includes basketball player Shaquille-O’Neal, football player Reggie White, actress Rosie O’Donnell, celebrity Regis Philbin, actress Roseanne Barr, music executive Quincy Jones, musician Randy Jackson, actor John Candy, author Anne Rice, football player Brett Favre, football player Jamarcus Russell, comedian Larry the Cable Guy, celebrity chef Graham Elliot, reality TV star Justin Tennison, actor Adam Savage, actor George Kennedy, and comedian Andy Richter. The 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, also supposedly suffered from sleep apnea.
If you or a family member have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, these celebrity stories demonstrate that you are not alone! If you use a PAP machine for your treatment, make sure to visit our list of products at SoClean.com to ensure that your equipment stays clean and sanitized. Your health and energy levels throughout the day are worth the investment.