There was a time when the films used to be silent, so deaf and hard-of-hearing people can easily enjoy those films. But as time passed, sound became one of the most critical aspects of the modern film industry. And gradually, the deaf audiences were sidelined.
Now, things are changing again. Even today’s movies are outlined in such a way that can help hard-of-hearing people to understand the entire movie concept.
But how will it sound if I say even many famous actors and celebrities are deaf in real life?
Yes, it’s true, many celebrities and famous personalities find it difficult to hear, yet they achieved the crown of success in their life.
So, in this article, I’ll talk about those celebrities who dared to challenge the world, despite being challenged!
Russell Harvard
This amazing American actor was born deaf. Despite being deaf, he made his film debut There Will Be Blood alongside Daniel Day.
Harvard took birth in a third-generation deaf family. That means his parents, along with his paternal grandparents, were all deaf.
Although Harvard can hear a few sounds with the help of a hearing device, according to him the American Sign Language is his first language.
There are so many performances that made everyone appreciate him. Harvard even won the Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Debut Performance for the character Billy, a deaf child with incredible intellectual ability in the act Tribes.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry won the Academy Award despite being partially deaf. Berry lost 80% of the hearing in her right ear. She was not born with this condition. Instead, her former partner was very abusive, and due to extreme domestic violence, she had to lose her hearing in one ear.
From that moment onwards, Berry changed herself and stood like a champion against domestic violence. She even achieved numerous awards for her fantastic contribution to various blockbusters.
And in 2020, Berry won the Academy Award as the Best Actress in Monsters Ball. And she became the first African-American woman to achieve this award.
Rob Lowe
The outstanding actor and performer Rob Lowe had deafness in his right ear ever since he was just a boy. This mishap took place due to a severe undiagnosed virus.
But this didn’t stop Rob from keeping the spotlight on him. For several decades, he has been ruling the Hollywood film industry. Roles like The West Wing, The Outsiders, and many more snatched the hearts of many audiences.
William Shatner
The Canadian superstar William Shatner also suffered from tinnitus because of an accident during the Star Trek drama shooting.
Tinnitus is a hearing issue where patients hear some sort of buzzing and ringing noises inside their ears. And it can also cause hearing loss as well.
So, when Shatner started to face these issues, he took a hearing device that could distract the brain from focusing on that buzzing or ringing noise.
And from that moment onwards, he kept moving forward and became a well-known speaker for the ATS (American Tinnitus Association).
Kiefer Sutherland
This famous British actor also lost his hearing ability on set. Kiefer Sutherland was well-recognized for his character in the renowned series 24.
Sutherland reported that he’s entirely deaf on one ear and partially on the other. And this is due to performing many roles that involved explosions and gunshots.
He even explained that it had become quite challenging for him to act as he simply can’t wear hearing devices while delivering dialogues. But that didn’t stop him from being someone he is now today.
Millicent Simmonds
Millicent Simmonds became deaf due to some sort of medication overdose when she was only 12 months young.
Afterward, her mother herself learned ASL (American Sign Language) and then taught the entire family. Simmonds was always passionate about acting, and that’s why she was admitted to the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf and became a participant in the drama club. This passion of hers gave her the golden goose she was anticipating. At only 14, she got the breakout role in Wonderstruck.
Simmonds even got the chance to play in the horror film A Quiet Place, and her performance has caught many audiences’ attention.
CJ Jones
This amazing comedian, writer, and actor has taken the world by his storming abilities. But unfortunately, he and his seven siblings were born with hearing loss.
CJ Jones lost his hearing ability when he was just seven years old. This happened due to his illness with spinal meningitis.
But none of this could resist his success as he came to the limelight with his fantastic performance in the 2017 blockbuster film Baby Driver.
From then onwards, he kept on climbing the stairs of success.
Bottom Line
Life is compact with challenges and obstacles. But that shouldn’t stop you from being who you are.
Moreover, when you are determined to do something, make sure you have the will of fire to achieve it.
Whether it’s deafness or any other condition, it shouldn’t stop you from achieving the success you deserve.
I hope this article will help you know about celebrities with hearing loss and how they overcame their hearing condition and took the glory into their hands.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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