Actresses You Didn’t Know Are Actually Legally Blind

Hollywood is known for valuing perfect appearances and sharp senses, but many successful actors and actresses have thrived despite having serious vision loss or blindness. These talented women prove that losing sight doesn’t mean losing the ability to pursue their dreams. Their inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and determination resonate with people worldwide, and they’ve demonstrated incredible strength in a demanding industry, from the golden age of film to today’s biggest stars.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench has spoken publicly about her battle with macular degeneration, a condition that makes reading scripts very difficult. She often needs friends and family to read lines to her so she can learn them for her roles. Throughout her impressive career, which includes appearances in films like ‘James Bond’ and ‘Shakespeare in Love,’ the celebrated actress continues to take on challenging roles despite her declining vision. She is still highly regarded as one of the best actors in the business.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis has shared that she was legally blind in one eye for years because of a condition called chronic iritis. This caused a cataract that made her vision blurry. She kept this private during her early career, including while filming ‘That 70s Show.’ Eventually, she had surgery to fix the problem and regain her sight. Since then, her career has taken off, with starring roles in films like ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Bad Moms.’

Roseanne Barr

I’ve been reading about Roseanne Barr, and it’s really inspiring how she’s facing some serious health challenges. She’s been dealing with both macular degeneration and glaucoma for a while now, and it’s understandably affected her vision. It’s amazing to me that even with her eyesight narrowing, she’s still working and staying so visible! Of course, I remember her from the ‘Roseanne’ show back in the late eighties and nineties – she was hilarious! She truly remains a strong and funny presence in comedy and television, and I admire her resilience.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah has limited vision in one eye due to a childhood accident. Despite this, she built a thriving career in Hollywood, appearing in popular films like ‘Splash’ and ‘Kill Bill’. She’s skillfully managed the challenges of filming and performing action scenes with reduced depth perception, demonstrating her strong work ethic. Beyond acting, she’s also a passionate advocate for protecting the environment and supporting independent films.

Sandy Duncan

At the peak of her career, actress Sandy Duncan lost vision in one eye due to a tumor affecting her optic nerve. Despite this, she became well-known for her roles in ‘The Hogan Family’ and as Peter Pan on stage. She skillfully adapted to her visual impairment, performing convincingly on camera, and few people realized she had a vision challenge. She frequently discussed learning to adjust and maintain her balance, especially during dance numbers. Her successful and long-lasting career has made her a role model for other performers facing similar difficulties.

Whoopi Goldberg

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always admired Whoopi Goldberg, and I recently learned more about the vision challenges she’s been dealing with for years. She has glaucoma, and that’s why you often see her wearing tinted glasses – they help with her light sensitivity and protect her eyes. It’s amazing to think about her incredible career – she’s one of the very few people who’ve won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony! She’s still a visible presence on ‘The View,’ and occasionally talks about taking care of her eyes, which is great. Honestly, she remains a powerhouse in comedy, both on the big and small screen.

Diane Schuur

Diane Schuur is an award-winning jazz singer and actress who has been blind since birth. Born with retinopathy of prematurity, she’s earned numerous Grammy Awards and has even appeared on shows like ‘Sesame Street’. Known for playing piano and singing with incredible emotion, Diane has successfully built a career in entertainment, often using humor to address her blindness. Both world leaders and music experts have praised her significant contributions to the arts.

Aria Mia Loberti

Aria Mia Loberti is quickly becoming a well-known actress, especially after starring in the series ‘All the Light We Cannot See’. She has a rare genetic condition called achromatopsia, which means she experiences limited color and light perception, and is legally blind. Before acting, Aria was a respected scholar and a global voice for disability rights. Her performance on ‘Netflix’ was praised for being genuine and moving, and she’s now helping to create more opportunities for blind actors in film and television.

Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore, a beloved TV star known for ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ experienced significant vision loss in her later years due to Type 1 diabetes. She eventually became legally blind, which made working on set and reading scripts challenging. Despite this, she dedicated much of her time to raising awareness and funding for diabetes research. Even as her health declined, Mary Tyler Moore remained an icon of strength and independence in the entertainment world, and her impact continues to inspire actresses and television creators today.

Marsha Hunt

As a classic film fan, I was really saddened to hear about Marsha Hunt’s passing. She was a true Golden Age actress, and lived a long life even while battling glaucoma. I remember her from so many films in the 40s, but she was so much more than just an actress – she was a dedicated activist. Later in life, she bravely spoke about the difficulties of losing her sight and really pushed for people to take care of their eye health. Even with her vision fading, she stayed involved in her community and continued to support causes she believed in. It’s amazing how her career connected old Hollywood glamour with modern-day advocacy – she was a really special person.

Helen Keller

I’ve always been so inspired by Helen Keller! She was amazing – not just an author and activist, but she even acted! I remember being really moved by the film ‘Deliverance,’ where she actually played herself, telling her own incredible story of learning and overcoming so much. It’s hard to imagine how challenging it must have been to communicate and fight for what’s right as someone who was both deaf and blind. And her story? It’s been told and retold, most famously in ‘The Miracle Worker,’ which I’ve seen several times. She really is an icon, proving what people can achieve no matter what challenges they face.

Nanette Fabray

Nanette Fabray was a talented actress and dancer who achieved success on stage and in movies, earning several Tony and Emmy Awards. Though she later lost vision due to macular degeneration, she’s fondly remembered by fans for her role in the sitcom ‘One Day at a Time’ and her appearances in musicals. Throughout her life, she was a strong supporter of people with hearing loss, and her determination in overcoming both vision and hearing challenges made her a cherished figure in Hollywood.

Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard, best known as the lead singer of Alabama Shakes, is also an actress. As a child, she bravely battled retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, which resulted in the loss of sight in one eye and impaired vision in the other. Beyond music, she’s appeared in TV shows and documentaries. Her incredible voice and captivating stage presence have made her a prominent figure in today’s entertainment world, and she continues to inspire people with her resilience.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, often called the “First Lady of Song,” was a hugely popular jazz singer and actress. Later in life, she developed serious vision problems from diabetes. Despite increasing difficulty with her sight, she continued performing and appeared in films like ‘Pete Kelly’s Blues’ and ‘St. Louis Blues.’ Throughout a decades-long career, Ella became one of the most important singers of all time, still admired for her incredible improvisation skills and consistently perfect performances.

Kathleen Battle

Kathleen Battle is a celebrated soprano and actress known around the world. Despite facing serious glaucoma, she’s had a remarkable career performing in operas and on television, captivating audiences with her powerful voice and talent as an actress. Her work with leading opera companies like the Metropolitan Opera has earned her numerous Grammy Awards. She skillfully balanced managing her vision with the demands of performing, including bright lights and intricate stage setups. Today, she remains a highly respected figure in classical music and the performing arts.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, famous for her role in ‘The Sopranos,’ has been living with multiple sclerosis for years. A symptom of MS causes her occasional vision loss and other eyesight problems. She’s been very honest about how difficult it is to work on movie and TV sets while dealing with the unpredictable effects of her illness. Despite these challenges, she continues to act in television shows and host popular podcasts. By openly sharing her experiences, she’s helped others understand and learn about living with similar health issues.

Selma Blair

Selma Blair is a well-known actress who has been living with multiple sclerosis, a condition that has caused her significant vision problems. Throughout her successful career, she’s starred in popular films like ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘Hellboy.’ Blair has openly shared her experiences with the disease, including how it impacts her movement and sight. She’s also become a voice for making fashion and entertainment more accessible, all while continuing to work. Her bravery in dealing with this long-term health challenge has been a source of inspiration for many.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate, a celebrated actress known for her work in shows like ‘Married with Children’ and ‘Dead to Me’, has openly shared how multiple sclerosis has affected her vision. She’s found it harder to read and concentrate on scripts, but she still gave a fantastic performance in her most recent TV series. Applegate continues to be a popular and respected comedian in the television industry.

Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt is a celebrated singer who has faced vision loss from a condition called progressive supranuclear palsy. Though famous for her music, she’s also performed in concert films and the musical ‘The Pirates of Penzance.’ This condition made performing increasingly difficult, eventually leading to her retirement. She has openly discussed the challenges of losing her sight and how she’s adjusted. Ronstadt’s contributions to music and her strength in the face of adversity continue to inspire.

Teri Garr

Teri Garr is a beloved actress famous for her roles in films like ‘Tootsie’ and ‘Young Frankenstein.’ She has lived with multiple sclerosis for many years, managing its effects while continuing her career in film and television. Known for her excellent comedic timing and ability to play a variety of characters, Garr became a fan favorite. She’s also been a strong voice for multiple sclerosis research, openly sharing her experiences to raise awareness and support others. Her work has had a significant and lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

Alice Walker

Alice Walker is an award-winning author and performer who lost sight in one eye as a child. She’s been featured in numerous TV shows and documentaries, sharing her work and life story. Best known for her novel ‘The Color Purple,’ which became a popular movie and stage musical, Walker often discusses how her vision loss has influenced her writing and activism. Her stories have had a broad impact, appearing in various forms across books, film, and theater.

Georgia Engel

Georgia Engel, a much-loved comedic actress, quietly overcame a significant visual impairment – she was legally blind in one eye for most of her life. She became well-known for her role as Georgette on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and later charmed audiences on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. Engel’s gentle voice and distinctive style made her memorable in every part she played. Throughout her extensive career in theater and television, she skillfully worked around her vision challenges without letting them distract from her performances, proving her remarkable talent and versatility.

Andrea McArdle

Andrea McArdle, the first ‘Annie’ on Broadway, is a seasoned performer who has navigated a career while living with vision problems. Throughout her extensive work in stage shows and on television, she’s openly discussed the difficulties of performing under bright stage lights. A talented singer and actress, she’s remained a beloved figure in musical theater for many years and continues to perform, inspiring aspiring performers.

Tell us which of these talented women inspired you the most in the comments.

2026-02-26 22:17