Famous People with Tourette Syndrome

Jim Eisenreich (1959 - )

Jim Eisenreich is a retired major league baseball player who played with the 1993 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins. Although Eisenreich has had TS since he was a child, he went undiagnosed until after the start of his baseball career. After accomplishing winning the World Championships, Eisenreich realized what he really wanted to do in life. He has since devoted most of his time and effort to being a role model for children with TS. Eisenreich’s message to these children is that a person with TS can lead just as full and meaningful of a life as anyone else, and that a person with TS can accomplish anything that anyone else does. Eisenreich emphasizes that although a person with TS may face setbacks and challenges, these challenges can ultimately result in a positive learning experience.

Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

Samuel Johnson was a renowned writer, poet, and lexicographer who wrote the Dictionary of the English Language and The Lives of Poets. Many of Johnson’s peers observed his tic-like movements and compulsive tendencies and described his behavior in great detail. Johnson reportedly made repeated noises and blew to make whistling sounds. Hence, there is little question that Johnson had TS and possibly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Tim Howard (1979 - )

Tim Howard, a native of New Jersey, is the goalkeeper for the internationally renowned British soccer team, Manchester United, and was formerly goalkeeper of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer. Howard was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS) at the age of 10, but from early on he refused to let the disorder stand in the way of achieving his goals and aspirations. Howard has taken the approach that TS is not a problem – it is a part of life that ultimately makes you stronger. His motto on TS is “never let it be a stop sign, it’s just a speed bump – another obstacle to overcome.” Howard has clearly not allowed his TS to stop him; in only his first season with Manchester United, Tim Howard was voted best goalkeeper in the Premier League. Howard’s success has been an inspiration to thousands of children and his accomplishments have provided these children with the ability to view themselves as productive and valuable members of society. Howard hopes to one day establish his own foundation to raise public awareness about TS.

Michael Wolff

Jazz musician Michael Wolff has led an impressive career. Wolff was the pianist and bandleader for the “Arsenio Hall Show” in the early 1990’s, and is now leader of the highly acclaimed band Impure Thoughts. Wolff’s most recent involvement is with the movie “The Tic Code”. The film, written by Wolff’s wife, actress Polly Draper (of the show “Thirty Something”), chronicles the life of a jazz musician with TS and is loosely based on Wolff’s life. Actor Gregory Hines plays the musician with TS and the entire soundtrack is made up of Wolff’s music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

It has been speculated that the renowned composer and musician, Wolfang Amadeus Mozart, had Tourette Syndrome (TS). It is documented that Mozart was found to be hyperactive and to have mood swings, tics, and a love of made-up words. However, despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS.