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Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects learning and development. People with Down syndrome have, however, often faced societal barriers and misconceptions, but many have broken through these obstacles to achieve great success. These inspiring individuals have excelled in fields, from acting and modelling to sports and entrepreneurship. Their achievements not only shatter stereotypes but also inspire and empower others. In this blog, we celebrate the lives and contributions of some of the most famous personalities with Down syndrome who continue to make an impact on the world.
Table of Contents
List of famous personalities with Down Syndrome
Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, each from our parents, which decide our appearances like gender, eye and hair colour, and height. Down syndrome occurs when someone has an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to three types of the condition, varying in severity. Symptoms include a unique eye shape, an enlarged tongue, short height, small hands and feet, learning difficulties, and heart and digestive issues. However, some people have not confined themselves to these limitations and have succeeded in their lives. A few famous personalities with Down Syndrome are discussed in detail below –
| Name of Famous Personalities with Down Syndrome | Field | Achievement |
| Madison Tevlin | Actor, Influencer | Viral performance challenging Down syndrome stereotypes |
| Zack Gottsagen | Actor | First actor with Down syndrome to present an Oscar |
| Grace Strobel | Model, Speaker | First American with Down syndrome to represent a major skincare brand |
| Tommy Jessop | Actor | First Down syndrome actor to play Hamlet in a touring production |
| Ellie Goldstein | Model | First Down syndrome model for a luxury fashion brand (Gucci) |
| Pablo Pineda | Actor, Academic | First European with Down syndrome to receive a university degree |
| Lauren Potter | Actress, Advocate | Actress in “Glee” and served on President Obama’s disability committee |
| Collette Divitto | Entrepreneur | Founder of Collettey’s Cookies |
| Chris Nikic | Athlete | First-person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon |
| Isabella Springmuhl Tejada | Fashion Designer | First designer with Down syndrome at London Fashion Week |
| Madeline Stuart | Model | Pioneering model advocating for diversity in the fashion industry |
| Chris Burke | Acting | Starred in Life Goes On |
| George Webster | TV Show Hosting | Popular children’s TV presenter |
| Sarah Gordy | Acting | Recognized for roles in British TV dramas |
| Tim Harris | Athletics, Entrepreneurship | Founded Tim’s Place, a restaurant |
| Sophia Sanchez | Acting, Advocacy | Prominent advocate and actress |
| Mar Galceran | Politics | Active in local politics and advocacy work |
Madison Tevlin
Madison Tevlin is a young actress and influencer who grabbed attention after her viral performance, which challenged misconceptions about people with Down syndrome. Her confident presence and strong message of self-acceptance have made her a role model for many.
| Madison Tevlin | Details |
| Field | Acting, Social Media Influence |
| Followers | 235,000 on Instagram, a strong TikTok presence |
| Impact | Advocating for inclusion and self-acceptance through social media |
Zack Gottsagen
In 2020, Zack Gottsagen made history by becoming the first actor with Down syndrome to present an Oscar at the Academy Awards. His breakthrough role in Peanut Butter Falcon showcased his talent and determination, inspiring many within and beyond Hollywood.
| Zack Gottsagen | Details |
| Field | Acting |
| Breakthrough Role | Starred in the film “Peanut Butter Falcon” and became the first person to present an Oscar. |
| Impact | Advocated for the representation of people with disabilities in Hollywood |
Grace Strobel
Grace Strobel is a model and public speaker who is breaking new ground in the fashion industry. As the first American with Down syndrome to represent a major skincare brand, she uses her platform to advocate for beauty and inclusion.
| Grace Strobel | Details |
| Field | Modelling, Public Speaking |
| Achievement | First Down syndrome model for Obagi Clinical |
| Impact | Advocates for inclusion and diversity in beauty and fashion |
Also Read – Famous Global Personalities Who Have Indian Origin
Tommy Jessop
Tommy Jessop is a British actor who has made important strides in the entertainment industry. He was the first actor with Down syndrome to play Hamlet in a touring production and has starred in the hit TV series Line of Duty.
| Tommy Jessop | Details |
| Field | Acting |
| Breakthrough Role | Starred in Line of Duty |
| Impact | Advocated for better representation of disabled actors in theatre and TV |
Ellie Goldstein
Ellie Goldstein is a model who made history by being the first model with Down syndrome to appear in a campaign for Gucci, a luxury fashion brand. Her consistent and stupendous work in fashion has paved the way for greater inclusion.
| Ellie Goldstein | Details |
| Field | Modelling |
| Achievements | First Down syndrome model for Gucci |
| Impact | Pioneered diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry |
Also Read – Famous Personalities Who Struggled in Life in India
Pablo Pineda
Pablo Pineda is a Spanish actor and academician who became the first person with Down syndrome in Europe to earn a university degree. He graduated with a BA in Educational Psychology and has won achievements in both academia and film, having Silver Shell Award in 2009.
| Pablo Pineda | Details |
| Field | Acting, Academia |
| Achievement | First European with Down syndrome to earn a university degree and win the Silver Shell Award |
| Impact | Advocated for education and inclusion in academia and the arts |
Sania Khimji
Sania Khimji is a model and a makeup artist from India. She broke the stereotype of being an individual with Down Syndrome. She won the “Best Walk” award in the competition Walk With a Difference and is a known personality in the fashion world.
| Sania Khimji | Details |
| Field | Modelling and Makeup Artist |
| Achievement | Crowned Mis India in the special needs category in 2023 |
| Impact | Voicing for people to express themselves through mediums like style and fashion. |
Also Read – Famous Personalities from Bangladesh
Other Notable Famous Personalities with Down Syndrome
While many public figures with Down syndrome have made headlines globally, there are several inspiring individuals whose stories are lesser-known but equally powerful. Here are some remarkable people with Down syndrome who are making an impact in their own unique ways:
| Name | Field | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Mikayla Holmgren | Pageantry, Dance | First woman with Down syndrome to compete in a state Miss USA pageant |
| Jamie Brewer | Acting, Advocacy | Known for her role in American Horror Story and advocate for disability rights |
| Karen Gaffney | Swimming, Advocacy | Swam across the English Channel; promotes inclusion for people with disabilities |
| Megan McCormick | Education, Advocacy | Gymnastics, Modelling |
| Chelsea Werner | Actress and advocate, known for the Netflix film Color My World With Love | First person with Down syndrome to graduate with honours from a technical college |
| Connor Long | Acting, Sports, Advocacy | Emmy-winning actor and Special Olympics ambassador |
| Pablo Sainz de Robles | Sports | Competitive swimmer representing Spain in international competitions |
| Lily D Moore | Acting | Actress and advocate, known for the Netflix film Colour My World With Love |
| Ryan Pittman | Public Speaking, Advocacy | Known for his motivational talks on disability awareness |
| Heidi Crowter | Activism | UK-based activist campaigning for equality in disability abortion laws |
| Jojo Moynihan | Journalism, Media | Aspiring journalist sharing inclusive stories on social platforms |
| Megan Bomgaars | TV Personality, Business | Featured in A&E’s Born This Way and owns a lifestyle brand |
FAQs
There are many popular people with Down Syndrome, like Ellie Goldstein, Sarah Gordy, Zack Gottsagen, etc.
Gopikrishnan K Varma is an Indian actor who has Down Syndrome and has a certificate for being the first lead actor with the syndrome.
In the 19th century, John Langdon Down, an English physician, published a paper on the description of people with this syndrome, and since then, he has been known as the father of Down Syndrome.
While fertility is significantly reduced in men with Down syndrome, it is possible for some to father children. However, the vast majority of males with Down syndrome are infertile. Genetic counselling is advisable for those considering parenthood.
The IQ of individuals with Down syndrome varies widely, generally ranging from 30-70, placing them in the mild to moderate intellectual disability range. However, IQ scores do not fully capture an individual’s abilities, strengths, or potential for learning and development.
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This was all about the famous personalities with Down Syndrome. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!
