The month of April is Autism Awareness Month/World Autism Month, and it’s a time to celebrate and empower those on the spectrum while also educating others about it. It also highlights those who have made a positive impact on the community. In the entertainment industry specifically, many actors have spoken about their diagnosis to help make discussions about autism more mainstream. This includes performers like Anthony Hopkins, Bella Ramsey and more, as many actors have opened up about how being on the spectrum has impacted their personal and professional lives.
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey, who got their start acting on Game of Thrones when they were 11, was diagnosed with autism while filming the first season of The Last of Us. While speaking with British Vogue, the actor explained that a crew member who has an autistic daughter had assumed Ramsey was also on the spectrum. That led to them seeking out a professional and a diagnosis, confirming something they had “always wondered” about.
While opening up about this diagnosis, Ramsey explained that they’ve become a better actor because of it, as they explained:
I’ve always been watching and learning from people. Having to learn more manually how to socialise and interact with the people around me has helped me with acting.
Overall, they see this diagnosis as “freeing.” Elaborating more about why, Ramsey said:
[The diagnosis is] freeing… It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do.
Overall, the Catherine Called Birdy star was very candid about how this diagnosis has impacted their life and career and was clear that it’s been helpful in many, many ways.
Anthony Hopkins
About 18 years ago, Anthony Hopkins was diagnosed with high-end Asperger's syndrome, The Daily Mail reported. The actor, who has two Oscars and over 140 films to his name, spoke about this neurological condition that impacts his ability to socially interact. He spoke specifically about how it’s helped him as an actor, saying:
I definitely look at people differently. I like to deconstruct, to pull a character apart, to work out what makes them tick and my view will not be the same as everyone else. I get offered a lot of controlling parts, maybe because that’s how people see me. And maybe I am very controlled because I’ve had to be. I don’t question it, I just take the parts because I’m an actor and that’s what I do.
According to Autism Speaks, the strengths of having Asperger's syndrome include “remarkable focus and persistence” and “attention to detail.” This ability to figure out what makes a person tick has helped the Silence of the Lambs star throughout his career. Just looking at Anthony Hopkins’ best movies, you know we are living among a legend.
Daryl Hannah
Daryl Hannah was diagnosed with autism when she was a young child, according to People. In a candid interview, the actress explained that she had “debilitating shyness,” and growing up and living with autism during a time when it wasn’t understood well was difficult. The Splash star went on to explain that she found peace in watching old movies, saying:
I thought, ‘If that’s a job, I want to do it.’ Acting for me was about going to the Land of Oz and meeting the Tin Man. It still is.
She went on to say that once she found success, autism complicated her career. The Wall Street actress said that she wouldn’t do talk show appearances or premieres because she “was terrified.” As her career went on, Hannah said she figured out how to be comfortable in her own skin, and said she wished she could teach her younger self about everything she’s learned.
Rick Glassman
Amazon’s series, As We See It, made it a priority to “authentically” explore a cast of characters on the autism spectrum. The three leads of the series are on the spectrum, and one of those stars, Rick Glassman, opened up to CinemaBlend about how his own experience with autism impacted his character on the show. He said:
I’m a goofy boy, a comedian and I do a lot of silly gaffs and a lot of people in my life have told me that they never know when I’m joking or being serious. I’ve always felt those two things aren’t mutually exclusive, but it’s gotten in the way of a lot of my personal relationships. But, I’m proud to have had those moments in my life when it was hard for me to make friends and to get in trouble here and there and have a lot of issues with schooling and my parents having to deal with that. To be able to use those things as something that got me a job and gives me tools to tell this story… proud I would say is a fair word to say for it.
Since Glassman was able to pull from his real life and his experience living on the spectrum, he took a lot of pride in his character and the show
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller, who is best known for his work on Prison Break and Legends of Tomorrow, posted a candid message about his autism diagnosis, which he received in 2021. The beloved TV actor wrote:
This isn't something I'd change … immediately being autistic is central to who I am. To everything I've achieved/articulated.
He then continued his message, noting that he was working to evolve his understanding of autism. Miller also explained that he would be “re-examining 5 decades of lived experience thru a new lens.” The Legends of Tomorrow veteran ended his post saying:
Meanwhile, I don't want to run the risk of suddenly being a loud, ill-informed voice in the room. The #autistic community (this I do know) has historically been talked over. Spoken for. I don't wish to do additional harm. Only to raise my hand, say, 'I am here. Have been (w/o realizing it).'
Along with teaching himself about his diagnosis, Miller also made it clear he was an advocate for the community, and he wanted to learn as much as he could.
Dan Aykroyd
One of the greatest stars to grace Saturday Night Live’s stage has also spoken about living with Asperger's syndrome. Dan Aykroyd opened up about being diagnosed with Tourette’s at a young age, and then Asperger syndrome as an adult. The Ghostbusters star told The Daily Mail:
I was diagnosed with Tourette’s at 12. I had physical tics, nervousness and made grunting noises and it affected how outgoing I was. I had therapy which really worked and by 14 my symptoms eased. I also have Asperger’s but I can manage it. It wasn’t diagnosed until the early Eighties when my wife persuaded me to see a doctor. One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement — I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed by Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born.
According to Autism Speaks, Asperger's syndrome generally involves "restricted interests" and "distinctive strengths," it’s clear that Aykroyd was able to use both of these and his legendary comedic skills, to create one of the greatest comedies of all time.
Kayla Cromer
Kayla Cromer, who starred in the series Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, has been very open about how much she’s loved seeing more representation of the autism community on screen. As an actress who was diagnosed with Asperger’s, she told People:
Autism doesn't define me. I want to be a part of different genres in film and bring light to different characters. I hope to open more doors for people in the disability community. And I'm so excited for what the future has in store.
In the article, it explains that Cromer is the first actress to play a woman on the spectrum, and be a woman on the spectrum herself. To watch her performance, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay is available with a Hulu subscription.
These are only seven of the many famous actors and artists who have spoken about being on the autism spectrum. Overall, we’ve seen an influx of representation for this community in recent years, but as Cromer put it, “there are still so many stories that need to be told.”
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