# Differently-Abled Actors and Actresses **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 8, 2022, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118 "2022-02-08T19:03:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/41 "2022-02-08T22:13:01Z")
[Anthony Carrigan](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/anthony_carrigan-getty-h_2019_.jpg) has an autoimmune disorder that caused all the hair on his body to fall out. He played the psychopath villain Victor Zsaz in the TV show Gotham, and amiable Russian gangster NoHo Hank in Barry. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/42 "2022-02-08T22:37:50Z")
Daryl Hannah – missing fingertip Rondo Hatton, Andre the Giant – acromegaly Ricardo Montalban – “In 1993, he had a 9 1/2 hour surgical operation on his spine to repair an old back injury he received while filming _Across the Wide Missouri_ (1951). He had been in constant pain ever since and confined to a wheelchair as a paraplegic.” (from IMDB) Susan Peters – paralyzed in a rifle accident in 1945, she made a comeback in _The Sign of the Ram_ (1948) and did 9 episodes of a forgotten failed 1951 TV series, as well as stage work. Prince Randian (acted in _Freaks_ ) – tetra-amelia syndrome (i.e., limbless) - [Prince Randian - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Randian) Danny Thomas – missing finger ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/43 "2022-02-08T23:32:34Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > See, I read something like this and I think “he seemed just fine in Galavant!” And then I check imdb and see that Galavant was 2015-2016. Yeesh! I did the EXACT SAME THING. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/44 "2022-02-08T23:41:08Z")
Ellen Corby had a stroke but returned to The Waltons. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/45 "2022-02-09T00:33:15Z")
Broadway actor Ali Stroker is in a wheelchair. She was in a car accident that damaged her spinal cord. She won a Tony for her role in “Oklahoma!” She also starred in the Deaf West production of “Spring Awakening”, although she isn’t deaf. (Not all of the actors in the production were deaf). Deaf actor Troy Kotsur was just nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film “CODA”. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/46 "2022-02-09T00:52:17Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Harold Russell lost two hands in an accident early on during World War II Actually it was ironically on D-day but at Camp Mackall in North Carolina when, as an instructor, had a defective fuse detonate some TNT. [Cite.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Russell) ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/47 "2022-02-09T00:59:12Z")
[Michael Patrick Thornton](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3694753/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm) was paralyzed by two spinal strokes in his 20s and uses a wheelchair. He had a memorable recurring character on _Private Practice_ playing Audra McDonald’s love interest. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/48 "2022-02-09T01:15:09Z")
Comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy, also does some acting (I believe she was recently in _Casualty_). ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/49 "2022-02-09T01:15:23Z")
I’ve never seen so many amputees in commercials nowadays. I guess they’re actors. There’s even a woman sans leg paddle boarding, and the commercial hasn’t got anything to do with the leg, no mention of wounded warrior or anything. Another commercial has a guy with missing parts diving into the pool for a swim. I don’t think his condition has anything to do with the commercial’s story. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/50 "2022-02-09T01:32:18Z")
NCIS New Orleans actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell. [![](https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NCIS-New-Orleans-22.jpg) ](https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NCIS-New-Orleans-22.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/51 "2022-02-09T02:01:52Z")
Actor Ruth Madeley was born with spina bifida and performs in a wheelchair. She is active in the UK, but some of you may have seen her as Ingrid in _The Rook_. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > (note that I am using “differently-abled” as a more modern synonym for “disabled” or “handicapped” Quick side bar: In general, the community prefers the term “disabled”. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/52 "2022-02-09T02:19:55Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Quick side bar: In general, the community prefers the term “disabled” Thanks for the correction! I’ll be sure to do better next time. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/53 "2022-02-09T02:21:27Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > In general, the community prefers the term “disabled”. For completeness, there’s a summary of preferred terminology here. I think this is a great example of sensible progressive use of language, including the fact that evasive euphemism is disfavored. > **[Free Wheelchair Mission | Person-First Language](https://www.freewheelchairmission.org/person-first-language/)** > > Speaking Respectfully About Disability When talking to and about individuals with disabilities, it is important to use language that reflects dignity and respect. People with disabilities are people first, just like everyone else. Therefore, it is... ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/54 "2022-02-09T02:26:38Z")
Depending on whether you draw a hard line between actor and extra, based on one of its Behind the Scenes documentaries, the _Walking Dead_ has a high demand for people with missing limbs as zombie and other casualty extras. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/55 "2022-02-09T02:27:18Z")
If strokes are being counted, the late Robert Guillaume suffered a stroke in 1999. The show he was on at the time, Aaron Sorkin’s _Sports Night_, incorporated his stroke and recovery into the storyline. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/56 "2022-02-09T03:19:53Z")
Actors with severe hearing loss or complete deafness: Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place movies) Aryana Engineer (The Orphan) Sandra Mae Frank (New Amsterdam) Shoshannah Stern (Jericho; Weeds) Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God; Quantico; Picket Fences) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/57 "2022-02-09T04:05:46Z")
So is Paul Stanley of KISS, sort of. He was only born with one ear; he had cosmetic surgery to make a normal looking ear on the other side. He’s not really an actor, but journalist Miles O’Brien had to have one arm amputated at the elbow several years ago, after a freak accident. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/58 "2022-02-09T04:09:28Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > If strokes are being counted, the late Robert Guillaume suffered a stroke in 1999. The show he was on at the time, Aaron Sorkin’s _Sports Night_, incorporated his stroke and recovery into the storyline. Pregnancy is a disabling condition, at least temporarily, and has been written into the story line for years, since at least Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. Way too many times to be listed here. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/59 "2022-02-09T04:19:52Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > Pregnancy is a disabling condition, at least temporarily, and has been written into the story line for years, since at least Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. Way too many times to be listed here. Oh, come on. You might as well consider those of us who are left-handed as disabled if you’re going to drag pregnancy into it. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118/60 "2022-02-09T04:56:28Z")
The King of obscurity strikes again! Asian movies that have amazing performances by the performers. _Elbowroom / Soom_ _## Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©_ _When Su-Hee ([Park Ji-Won](https://asianwiki.com/Park_Ji-Won_(actress_2))) was 5-years-old she was abandoned by her mother and left to live in a Christian run institution for the disabled. Su-Hee is physically disabled. She has lived in the institution all her life and is now a young adult. Su-Hee meets a man named Min-Soo who also lives in the institution and is disabled. They shared a close bond and fall in love. Su-Hee and Min-Soo have their own secret room where they spend time together. The couple also have sex there._ _One day In the bathroom, a volunteer notices Su-Hee’s swollen stomach and realizes she is pregnant. Everything will change for Su-Hee. Welfare authorities assume Su-Hee was raped and she is taken away to live in another shelter for young women. Su-Hee feels uncomfortable surrounded by non-disabled teens and feels loneliness …_ [https://asianwiki.com/Elbowroom](https://asianwiki.com/Elbowroom) If you don’t fall in love with Su-hee the character and Park Ji Won the actress, you have no heart! Her beautiful smile! [https://asianwiki.com/Park\_Ji-Won\_(actress\_2)](https://asianwiki.com/Park_Ji-Won_(actress_2)) She was disabled do to the doctor’s error at her birth. _Late Bloomer / Osio Hito_ _Sumida Masakiyo is a severely-disabled man who lives an independent life with the help of an electric wheelchair, voice machine, and a carer. Using his real name, Sumida exerts himself to act the role of the “attacker Sumida”. Sumida is leading a peaceful life in the good company of a musician Take (Hotta Naozo), a carer as well as a good listener, when a college student, Nobuko (Torii Mari), wishing to gain some experience of care, appears. Sumida becomes attracted to Nobuko, but a feeling of discomfort, which he finds hard to come to terms with, develops in him and gradually he surrenders himself to insanity. Sumida commits a string of killings, and the story converges towards a bloody ending._ Arita Ariko has CP and turns in an amazing performance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differently-abled-actors-and-actresses/959118.md?page=4)