Hepatitis C affects 2.4 million people in the United States, including celebrities, many of whom are probably unaware that they have this liver infection. Caused by the hepatitis C virus, hepatitis C can lead to serious liver damage if left undetected.
Interestingly, most people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, so the only way to know if they have the infection is to get tested. Here is a list of celebrities who have been diagnosed with this condition.
celebrities diagnosed with hepatitis c
1. Natasha Lyonne
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of orange is the new black The actress learned she had Hepatitis C in 2005 after being hospitalized for a number of health problems. Lyonne opened up about her heroin addiction, and she’s been sober ever since she went to rehab in 2006. She’s used her experience in real life to play a character on the show Nicky Nichols, who is also battling addiction.
RELATED: Newly Diagnosed with Hepatitis C?Here’s how to stay healthy
2. Ken Watanabe
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Watanabe contracted hepatitis C in 1989 after receiving a blood transfusion to treat leukemia. The Japanese actor was diagnosed and started taking interferon weekly treatments in 2005. Today, he remains healthy and has a successful acting career.
3. Gregg Allman
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Rock and roll icon Gregg Allman learned he had Hepatitis C in 1999, but was not receiving treatment at the time. He had a liver transplant in 2010, but eventually died of liver cancer seven years later. Promoted the importance of receiving
4. Naomi Judd
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Country music star and mother of Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd, Naomi (who died in April 2022), discovered in 1990 that she contracted hepatitis C from a needlestick infection. Her doctors initially predicted that she would only live a few years, but she responded well to her treatment and by 1998 she was in remission.
5. Christopher Kennedy Lawford
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of All My Children When general Hospital The soap opera actor struggled with drug and alcohol addiction over the years, which may have been the cause of his hepatitis C diagnosis. Lawford was put on interferon and ribavirin to treat the infection and is now virus-free.To raise his awareness, he wrote a book Withdrawal Symptoms: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption I hope that sharing his story will help others struggling with addiction and hepatitis C.
6. Natalie Cole
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The singer, who died in 2015, discovered he had hepatitis C after years of being infected with the virus. I found out that I needed dialysis. She had a transplant in 2010 and heart failure allowed her to live a few more years until her death.Cole wrote her memoir, love brought me backrevealing details of her diagnosis and her health journey.
RELATED: What people who inject drugs should know about hepatitis C treatment options
7. Steven Tyler
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After years of asymptomatic rock star Steven Tyler learned he had hepatitis C in 2003. After 11 months of antiviral therapy, he was free of the virus and is now clean and calm. Tyler wants others to know that hepatitis C is treatable and encourages people to get tested.
8. Pamela Anderson
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baywatch Star Pamela Anderson contracted Hepatitis C after sharing a tattoo needle with ex-husband Tommy Lee. After receiving her treatment, she was cured. In her Instagram post, she announced: – I found #nomorehepc. I pray that everyone with Hep C is eligible or can afford treatment. It will be available soon. I know it’s still hard to get treatment…#dontlosehope.”
9. Ebel Knibel
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Known for his dangerous stunts on his motorcycle, Knievel discovered he had Hepatitis C in 1993. Hepatitis C is believed to have occurred as a result of a blood transfusion after injury. His liver damage was so severe that in 1999 he had to undergo a liver transplant. Knieval had many other health issues and died of lung disease in 2007.
10. Rolf Benilschke
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Former San Diego Charger Rolf Benirschke contracted hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. Once he was cured, Benirschke launched an awareness campaign with his program called Hep C STAT!. His program encouraged people to get tested and learn about the risk factors for developing this condition.
11. David Crosby
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The musician discovered he had Hepatitis C in 1994. This may have been a result of his IV drug use in previous years. Due to severe liver damage, he underwent a liver transplant and is currently doing well.
12. Gene Weingarten
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The humor columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner discovered he had hepatitis C after 25 years of infection. Weingarten recalled a brief period of heroin use during his teenage years that may have contributed to the infection.
13. Larry Hagman
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famous for his role in Dallas When Johnny’s dream, Hagman unknowingly had hepatitis C for many years and was eventually diagnosed with cirrhosis in 1992. After a liver transplant in 1995, he became an advocate for organ donation and transplantation. Shortly after the transplant he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and died of leukemia in 2012 even after being in remission.
14. Anthony Kiedis
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Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, was diagnosed with hepatitis C in the 1990s and attributed it to drug use. He has committed to living a healthier lifestyle and is now a vegetarian and does a variety of exercise.
15. Billy Graham
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Former WWE professional wrestler Billy Graham learned he contracted Hepatitis C while preparing for hip surgery in the 1980s. He underwent treatment for his 20 years and ended up having a liver transplant in 2002. He went into remission in his 2017.
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