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Famous People With Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis 

One the biggest reasons to hate IBD is the emotional toll it takes on those diagnosed.  There are many people out there living normal productive lives with IBD, here are some notable famous people who didn't let their condition get in their way.

Tony Snow

Tony Snow is the White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush.   Before his becoming Press Secretary, Tony enjoyed a successful career in broadcasting including his own nationally syndicated talk radio program and regular appearances on the Fox New Channel.   Tony suffered from ulcerative colitis for years before being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty is an American actress who starred in the hit television series Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed revealed in 1999 that she suffers from Crohn's disease. 

Mike McCready

Mike McCready, the lead guitarist for the band Pearl Jam, has been suffering from Crohn's disease since being diagnosed at age 21.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

The 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, suffered from Crohn's disease and underwent an emergency resection in 1956.  President Eisenhower was later elected to a second term later that same year.

David Gerrard

The quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, David Gerrad, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in March of 2004.  David underwent surgery in May of 2004 to remove a blockage of his intestines.

Al Geiberger

Al Geiberer is a former professional golfer with 11 PGA tournament wins and 10 Senior PGA wins.  Al had surgery to remove his colon in 1980 because of IBD and now has an ileostomy.  Al is the founder of the Mr. 59 tournament, a yearly charity event where the proceeds go to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Anastacia

The American born singer and song writer, Anastacia, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 13.  Anastacia has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.

"For those with Crohn's, holding in our emotions or masking her unhappiness fuels the symptoms," said Anastacia.  "What is seen as a curse for some, is a gift for me, because it has helped me to discover who I really am as a person.  The disease has given me a clear window to my own emotions, which causes me to live each moment and to understand exactly how I'm behaving in a particular situation."

Mary Ann Mobley

Mary Ann Mobley was crowned Miss America in 1959.  Diagnosed in her early 20's with Crohn's disease she starred alongside Elvis Presley in several films.  She is also the co-chairwoman of the Celebrity Club of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

John York

John York is most known for his portrayal of 'Mac Scorpio' on the daytime soap opera General Hospital.   Also making appearances on the television series 21 Jump Street, Newhart, and Family Ties, John suffers from ulcerative colitis.

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan, the American comedian and actor suffers from Crohn's disease.  Joe was the host of the successful reality television series Fear Factor and a regular on the sitcom News Radio. Joe still enjoys success headlining comedy clubs.

Beth Orton

Beth Orton, the british born singer songwriter sometimes described as folk/electronica, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the early age of 17.  Depsite having to cancel a few shows in 1999, Beth has said that she has not suffered any serious symptoms in the past 3 years following a strict analysis of her diet.   Her latest album, Comfort of Strangers was released in February 2006.

Chris Conley

Chris Conley, the vocalist for the New Jersey band Saves the Day has lived with Crohn's disease since he was 15 or 16 years old.  His battle with Crohn's disease inspired the song Where Are You from the band's 2003 album In Reverie.  From Music Emissions, Chris Conley says "I have a stomach disorder called Crohn's disease and it was getting really bad when we were getting ready to tour with Weezer.  I had to take steriods, which disturbs your emotional state and balance; your equilibrium is thrown off and it makes the lows lower.  I happened to be going through a sad period.  The overall theme is about take everything in,  the depression, confusion and anxiety, but also the incredible highs."

George 'The Animal' Steele

Jim Myers AKA George 'The Animal' Steele, the American professional wrestler who began his career in 1962, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1988 after suffering symptoms for 9 years.  Jim was inducted into the WWE "Hall of Fame" in 1995 and most recently the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005.