Sleep apnea can affect actors, athletes, comedians, public figures, writers, and people with very different careers. It is not a personal weakness. It is not just loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, happens when the upper airway partly or fully collapses during sleep, causing repeated breathing disruptions, oxygen drops, or brief sleep arousals. (1)

These breathing events can disrupt sleep without the person fully remembering them the next morning. Common symptoms include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, and daytime sleepiness. (2) Other warning signs can include gasping during sleep, dry mouth in the morning, morning headaches, trouble paying attention, and irritability. (3)

OSA also matters because it is linked to heart and vascular risk. It is common in people with high blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. (4) Still, many people are never tested. A 2025 review reported that up to 80% of people with moderate to severe OSA may remain undiagnosed. (5)

Why Celebrity Sleep Apnea Stories Matter

Celebrity sleep apnea stories matter because they show how easy it is to explain symptoms away. A person may blame stress, aging, work, travel, poor sleep habits, or a busy schedule. A partner may hear loud snoring, choking, or pauses in breathing for years before the person agrees to get tested.

Shaquille O’Neal’s public comment explains this clearly: “For years, I was tired all the time and didn’t know why.” (6) That line reflects the experience of many sleep apnea patients. People often come in because they feel drained, foggy, moody, or unrefreshed, not because they already know their airway is closing during sleep.

12 Celebrities and Known People Reported to Have Sleep Apnea

1. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal has publicly discussed obstructive sleep apnea and later worked with Lilly’s “Don’t Sleep on OSA” campaign to raise awareness about moderate to severe OSA. His story connects daytime tiredness with a nighttime breathing problem that can stay hidden for years. (6)

2. Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell discussed sleep apnea publicly on The View in 2007 and helped bring attention to testing and CPAP treatment. Her story is a reminder that public conversations can make sleep apnea feel less embarrassing and easier to discuss with a doctor. (7)

3. Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler has talked publicly about using CPAP. In a 2025 conversation with Jack Black on Good Hang, she agreed that CPAP “changed my life.” (8) That kind of comment matters because some patients feel awkward about sleeping with a machine, even when the treatment helps them feel and function better.

4. Jack Black

Jack Black said, “My CPAP machine was a game changer,” during the same conversation with Amy Poehler. (8) Their exchange helped make CPAP sound less intimidating, which can encourage people who feel hesitant about wearing a mask at night.

5. President Joe Biden

The White House confirmed in 2023 that President Joe Biden used a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. A statement also noted that his history of sleep apnea had been disclosed in medical reports since 2008. (9) His case shows that CPAP use is common medical treatment, not something that needs to be hidden.

6. Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher’s death report listed sleep apnea among the factors involved, along with other medical factors. (10) Her case should be discussed carefully because it does not prove that sleep apnea was the only cause, but it does show that sleep apnea can be medically serious when other health risks are present.

7. Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes publicly described developing sleep apnea and waking up choking during sleep. (11) That detail matters because choking, gasping, and repeated awakenings are warning signs that should not be brushed aside as normal snoring.

8. Ryan Jensen

Former NFL player Ryan Jensen said his sleep apnea diagnosis “saved my career.” (12) His story is useful for athletes and active adults who may assume they are too fit to have sleep apnea. Poor sleep, poor recovery, and low energy can occur even in people with demanding training schedules.

9. Prince Fielder

Former MLB player Prince Fielder underwent a sleep study during spring training after having trouble getting restful sleep. (13) He later said he was told he stopped breathing 39 times per hour during sleep. (14) His case shows how sleep apnea can affect rest, recovery, and daily performance.

10. Reggie White

NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White died in 2004. Later reporting stated that sleep apnea was not the direct cause of death but contributed to his illness. (15) His story is often connected with sleep apnea awareness because untreated sleep disordered breathing can place additional strain on the body, mainly when other health risks are present.

11. William Shatner

William Shatner has publicly said that his CPAP machine changed his life after a sleep apnea diagnosis. (16) His story is useful for older adults who may think poor sleep, daytime fatigue, or snoring are just part of aging.

12. Mike Napoli

Former MLB player Mike Napoli had severe sleep apnea and underwent surgery to help him breathe better at night. (17) His case also shows that not every sleep apnea story involves simple CPAP use. Some patients need deeper evaluation, and a smaller group may require surgical treatment.

What These Stories Show About Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The names are interesting, but the symptom patterns matter more.

Sleep apnea can show up as loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping, choking, dry mouth, morning headaches, poor focus, irritability, daytime sleepiness, and sleep that does not feel refreshing. (2)(3)

Athletes may notice poor recovery, lower performance, or unusual fatigue. Desk workers may notice brain fog, sleepiness during meetings, or a growing dependence on caffeine. Partners may notice the clearest signs first because the person with sleep apnea may not remember waking up.

This is one reason sleep apnea can remain hidden for years. A person can spend eight hours in bed and still get poor-quality sleep if breathing interruptions continue to disrupt the night.

What Patients Can Learn From Famous People With Sleep Apnea

The first lesson is simple: success, fame, fitness, or a demanding career does not protect anyone from sleep apnea. These stories include comedians, actors, athletes, a president, and public figures with very different lives.

The second lesson is that snoring deserves context. Snoring alone does not always mean sleep apnea, but loud snoring accompanied by gasping, choking, pauses in breathing, morning headaches, high blood pressure, or daytime sleepiness should be evaluated. (2)(3)(4)

The third lesson is that treatment should be guided by proper testing. CPAP is common and helpful for many patients, but mask leaks, dryness, pressure discomfort, and poor sleep with the device should be reviewed by a clinician before the patient gives up.

For patients who cannot use positive airway pressure therapy, other medical options may be considered. Inspire therapy is used for selected people with moderate to severe OSA who meet medical and airway criteria. (18)

Sleep Apnea Care in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Gilbert

If you suspect sleep apnea, our team at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona can review your symptoms, sleep history, and risk factors, then help determine the right test for your case.

We serve patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert. Our sleep medicine team evaluates sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, and other sleep conditions. We connect symptoms, test results, airway findings, and treatment options so patients do not have to sort through confusing information alone.

If CPAP has been difficult, we can review mask fit, pressure settings, dryness, leaks, and comfort concerns before you stop therapy. If Inspire therapy may be a fit, we can review your sleep study, CPAP history, and airway pattern. If a home sleep test was negative but your symptoms still sound like sleep apnea, we can discuss the right follow-up evaluation.

Sleep apnea is common, treatable, and worth taking seriously. The famous names make the topic easier to talk about, but your breathing, sleep, and overall health are the real reasons to schedule a consultation with The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona.

References

  1. Slowik, J. M., Abdulghani Sankari, & Collen, J. F. (2025, March 4). Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Nih.Gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/
  2. Slowik, J. M., Abdulghani Sankari, & Collen, J. F. (2025, March 4). Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Nih.Gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/
  3. Sleep apnea – Symptoms and causes. (2026). Mayo Clinic;  . https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
  4. Yeghiazarians, Y., Jneid, H., Tietjens, J. R., Redline, S., Brown, D. L., El-Sherif, N., Mehra, R., Bozkurt, B., Ndumele, C. E., & Somers, V. K. (2021). Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 144(3), e56–e67. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000988
  5. Iannella, G., Pace, A., Bellizzi, M. G., Magliulo, G., Greco, A., De Virgilio, A., Croce, E., Gioacchini, F. M., Re, M., Costantino, A., Casale, M., Moffa, A., Lechien, J. R., Cocuzza, S., Vicini, C., Caranti, A., Marchese Aragona, R., Lentini, M., & Maniaci, A. (2025). The Global Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Diagnostics, 15(9), 1088. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15091088
  6. Lilly Drafts Shaquille O’Neal to Raise Awareness for Moderate-to-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea | Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Eli Lilly and Company. https://lilly.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-drafts-shaquille-oneal-raise-awareness-moderate-severe
  7. Aubrey, R. (2026, April 13). Six Female Celebrities Living with Sleep Apnea | Project Sleep. Project Sleep. https://project-sleep.com/female-celebrities-living-with-sleep-apnea/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh4AY4BSErY
  9. Kekatos, M. (2023, June 28). What is sleep apnea and how do CPAP machines help after it’s revealed Biden uses a mask. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/Health/sleep-apnea-cpap-machines-after-revealed-biden-mask/story?id=100450725
  10. Press, A. (2017, June 17). Coroner: Sleep apnea among causes of Carrie Fisher’s death. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2017/06/16/carrie-fisher-sleep-apnea/
  11. https://thegrio.com/2025/10/15/shonda-rhimes-says-her-kids-inspired-her-to-change-her-health-after-fearing-shed-be-dead-in-10-years/
  12. THORBECKE, C. (2017, September 8). NFL star Ryan Jensen says sleep apnea diagnosis “saved my career.” ABC News. https://abcnews.com/Health/nfl-star-ryan-jensen-sleep-apnea-diagnosis-saved/story?id=49688843
  13. Sleep study finds Prince Fielder has sleep apnea – ESPN. (2016, March 11). ESPN.Com; ESPN. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14950895/prince-fielder-texas-rangers-sleep-apnea
  14. Armed with sleep mask, Prince back, rested. (2023). MLB.Com. https://www.mlb.com/news/prince-fielder-gets-mask-for-sleep-apnea-issue-c167053878
  15. https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/widow-of-nfl-legend-reggie-white-promotes-awareness-of-sleep-disorders/275-373933617
  16. Roy, S. (2019, June 8). William Shatner Is SoClean Spokesperson and Ambassador. Sleep Review. https://sleepreviewmag.com/sleep-treatments/therapy-devices/cpap-pap-devices/william-shatner-soclean/
  17. McCarthy, M. (2015, April 13). Science of nap time: Seeking an edge in the most basic of all human needs. SI; Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/edge/2015/04/13/red-sox-mike-napoli-sleep-apnea-mlb-sleep-studies
  18. Center. (2023). Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation – P130008/S090. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/recently-approved-devices/inspire-upper-airway-stimulation-p130008s090

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your individual health needs.