Six Celebrities with Diabetes

Born in 1934, actor Wilford Brimley has appeared on TV and in such films as Cocoon, The China Syndrome, The Firm and The Thing. Prior to that he was a ranch hand, a riding extra, a body guard for Howard Hughes and a stunt man.  He is also well-known for such ads as Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical.  It was the latter ads that made him a diabetes pop culture sensation, particularly for his pronunciation of "diabeetus."  Of all the people with diabetes, Wilford Brimley can be said to have single-handedly thrust diabetes into the pop culture arena; you can find scores of YouTube videos, parodies and raps using clips from his commercials.  He has been parodied on shows such as Family Guy.  He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1979 and uses insulin for management.  Brimley has raised awareness of diabetes and has been active in patient education.  In 2008, the American Diabetes Association recognized his lifetime of service with an award.

Born in 1956, actress Delta Burke is best known for her role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in Designing Women, where we were introduced to her Scarlett O'Hara-like charm and beauty in 1986. Prior to that she was Miss Florida in 1974 and won a talent scholarship from the Miss America Organization. She used the scholarship to attend the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Burke appeared on various TV shows before Designing Women and has appeared on TV, film and the Broadway stage ever since. She has also designed a line of popular plus-size clothing. She is one of the people with diabetes who has been very public with her life. We followed her romance and marriage to actor Gerald McRaney, as well as her trials with depression, eating disorders and compulsive hoarding syndrome. Burke has struggled very publicly with weight since the early 1990's. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1997 when she was 41. She has since lost 60 pounds and plans to keep improving her health. She started using the diabetes medication Byetta in 2005. Burke uses her celebrity to promote diabetes education and communication.

Born 1958, Drew Carey is an actor, game show host, and stand-up comedian. He starred in his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, and hosted Whose Line is It Anyway. Prior to that he wrote jokes, performed stand-up comedy and competed on Star Search. He has since appeared in films, TV, videos and a computer game. Carey filled Bob Barker's shoes as the host of The Price is Right. In 2010, at the age of 52, Carey lost 80 pounds and caused a sensation when he revealed his new figure on The Price is Right. He no longer needed diabetes treatment with medication and caused some controversy when he claimed his diabetes was cured. Many people with diabetes felt he was in error to make that claim.

Born in 1967, Sherri Shepherd is a talk show host, comedienne and actress. She is a co-host on The View and host of the Newlywed Game. She also appears on 30 Rock, starred in the sitcom Less Than Perfect and had her own sitcom, Sherri, on Lifetime. She enjoys a long list of TV and film credits. Shepherd was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2007 just days before becoming a new co-host on The View. She claims that a vision of her son crying, asking where heaven is because that's where mommy is, inspired her to lose 40 pounds with the help of a nutritionist and personal trainer. She shares her weight loss strategy to help others do the same. Shepherd is one of the people with diabetes who is very open about her personal experience

Born in 1956, Jackson is a Grammy Award-winning producer, musician, and American Idol judge. He has worked with such performers as Madonna, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, NSYNC and Elton John. Jackson weighed more than 300 pounds in 2002. That year he went to the doctor, expecting to be diagnosed with the flu, but was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes instead. He has lost over 100 pounds with gastric bypass surgery. He has been outspoken about his diabetes diagnosis and life and has helped with the American Heart Association's The Heart of Diabetes awareness campaign.

Born in 1929, Clark is a businessman, game show host, and radio and television personality. He is the most iconic of the people with diabetes on this list. He is best known as the host of the long-running, history-making American Bandstand and the host of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. He has been called "America's Oldest Teenager." Clark announced in 2003 that he had Type 2 diabetes for 10 years. He suffered a stroke in 2004 and has since returned to TV. Clark has lent his support to the American Association of Diabetes Educators and is outspoken about the link between diabetes and heart disease.