Celebrity health news dominated our feeds this year, whether because these famous men and women were confronting life-threatening illness, navigating chronic disease, or defying weight loss stigma.
Their stories offer moments of inspiration, education, and, in some cases, hope.
Diane Keaton Died of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. While many people recover fully, older adults face a much higher risk of severe illness and death.
Serena Williams Opened Up About Taking a GLP-1 Medication
In August the tennis champion Serena Williams revealed she has been using a GLP-1 medication for weight management and became a spokesperson for Ro, a telehealth GLP-1 provider.
“I feel like a lot of people have this stigma on GLP-1s and say things like, ‘Oh, lazy people do it,’ or ‘If you’re working hard enough, you don’t need that,’” said Williams in an interview with Vogue.
“I know for a fact from my experience that it’s simply not true. Sometimes you need help,” she said.
Her comments have helped reduce stigma and highlight that weight management is complex — everyone’s journey is different.
Eric Dane Battled ALS
In April the actor Eric Dane, best known for his roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, shared that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Dane, now 53, said in a subsequent interview that he’d already lost the use of his right arm and expected further progression of the disease, which gradually affects mobility, speech, and swallowing.
ALS is a rare, degenerative neurological condition with no cure, though medications and supportive therapies can slow symptom progression and help people maintain independence longer.
Barry Manilow Announced a Lung Cancer Diagnosis
In a statement shared with fans, Manilow said he felt no symptoms. “It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early,” he wrote.
Manilow, now in his early eighties, has previously spoken openly about his health, including living with atrial fibrillation (afib), which he discovered more than a decade ago.
Billy Joel Canceled Concerts Because of a Rare Brain Disorder
The music icon Billy Joel, 76, announced in May that he was stepping away from live performances after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological condition caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
NPH can affect balance, walking, memory, vision, and bladder control, and it most commonly occurs in adults older than 65. Unlike many neurological conditions, NPH is often treatable when diagnosed early; surgery is used to drain excess fluid.
Gene Hackman and His Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Died; Hantavirus Made Headlines
Hantavirus is a rare but serious respiratory illness spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Although infections are uncommon in the United States, the disease is fatal in a significant percentage of cases, as Arakawa’s death revealed.
The couple’s passing also drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with advanced cognitive impairment.
James Van Der Beek Shared His Colorectal Cancer Journey
The actor James Van Der Beek, known for Dawson’s Creek, revealed at the end of 2024, when he was 47, that he’d been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, placing him among a growing group of people affected by early-onset disease. He shared updates on his health throughout 2025.
Rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults have risen sharply over the past few decades, with about 1 in 10 new diagnoses now occurring in people younger than 50.
Ozzy Osbourne Died of a Heart Attack After Years of Living With Parkinson’s
Osbourne had spoken publicly for years about living with Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also disrupt blood pressure and heart rate.
His death came just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath for what became his final public performance.
MTV VJ Ananda Lewis Passed Away From Breast Cancer
Lewis revealed in 2020 that she had delayed getting mammograms because she feared radiation exposure, later calling that decision a mistake. By the time her cancer was detected, it had already reached an advanced stage.
Lewis also chose to forego the double mastectomy that her doctors recommended and tried alternative therapies instead — another decision that she came to regret as the cancer metastasized. “Prevention is the real cure,” she later said.
Dick Van Dyke Turned 100
The actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday in December, earning the title of centenarian and sparking conversation about what healthy aging can look like beyond simply living longer.
The actor personifies a growing awareness that our collective goal should be to extend our health span rather than simply our lifespan, and that it’s possible to maintain physical and cognitive function with strong mental and physical habits.
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