People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exist at all levels of society – including the spotlight. They are our friends, neighbors, and family members, but they are also our favorite artists, activists, innovators, and even political leaders. You probably know several Autistic people, even if you don’t realize it. Autism Spectrum Disorder looks a little bit different for everybody, and there’s no one way to be Autistic. In this article, we will highlight several celebrities who you may not have realized are on the Autism Spectrum, and talk about how their Autistic identity relates to their success.
Autism vs. Aspergers
Many of the people on this list describe their Autism diagnosis with the term “Asperger’s Syndrome”. Aspergers is characterized by difficulties in social situations, nonverbal communication, and strong repetitive behaviors and interests. While Aspbergers was seen as its own diagnosis for a long time, contemporary Psychiatric care identifies people with Aspergers’ syndrome as having Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the DSM-5, instead of describing autism with terms like “high functioning” and “low functioning”, Autism is now defined as having three levels of severity based on how much support an individual needs, with level one needing the least support. This reinforces the idea that no individuals are deficient, but that they may require different levels of support to reach their goals.
The term Aspbergers is being phased out of use in psychiatric settings, but individuals who identify with it may still use it. Throughout this article, we will use the terms Aspbergers and Autism interchangeably.
Dan Akroyd
Dan Akroyd, best known for his work on films like Blues Brothers, Trading Places, and the Ghostbusters series was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in his adult life. Looking back, he sees how he had experienced defining symptoms of Autism, like social differences, intense hyper fixations, and sensory sensitivities his whole life. However, Akroyd has never felt limited or defined by this diagnosis. He credits it to much of his success as an actor and comedian: “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 with Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born.”
Akroyd’s distinct perspective and singular humor are an empowering testament to the unique perspective that Autistic people bring to our world.
Anthony Hopkins
Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins found out he was on the Autism Spectrum in 2014 when he was in his 70s. He embraced his diagnosis as contributing to his success: “Autism is a great gift. It helps me to see things differently.” Hopkins is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. His aptitude for getting inside the minds of complex characters is shaped by his own unique experiences of living as an Autistic person: “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.”
Hopkins is a great example of how symptoms of autism are not bad, but can be exactly what makes a person uniquely talented.
Gary Numan
In an interview with The Guardian, Numan describes himself as having been “a very difficult kid.” He relays that his hyperactivity and penchant for arguing got him kicked out of more than one school, leading up to an Autism diagnosis when he was 14. As an adult, Numan still struggles with social interaction, saying he has to count when making eye contact to make sure he does it right. ”Anything less than two seconds is considered rude, more than five seconds is too intense, so I have to look away.” says Numan, “I worked that out myself. I find conversations incredibly stressful.”
Though he faced difficulty in traditional settings, Numan has built a creative life that allows him to embrace exactly who he is. Though he is most famous for his 1979 album, “The Pleasure Principle,” Numan continues to release new music today.
David Byrne
Though never formally diagnosed, when you listen to his music, it’s clear to see why David Byrne and his friends have long agreed that he falls somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Throughout the Talking Heads discography as well as his solo projects, Byrne sings about feeling like an outsider, struggling with “normal” social interactions, and meticulously analyzes aspects of daily life that others might take as a given. In his 2012 book, “How Music Works,” he muses that music was his “means of entry into a conversation.” Despite being reserved and awkward in real life, music gives him the tools to share himself with the world. This narrative is clearly shown in the iconic 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense, in which the concert’s staging tells the story of an anxious man who uses music to learn how to embrace a joyful life with friends. Byrne is excited that so many fans see their own experiences of autism in his music and performance, and encourages them to embrace their unique traits, saying “We all don’t have to be the same.”
Byrne’s music has created a space where Autistic people feel seen and celebrated.
Daryl Hannah
It might surprise you to learn that when actress Daryl Hannah first saw a psychiatrist as a child, they recommended she be medicated and institutionalized. As a girl, Daryl displayed early symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and luckily, her parents were insistent that what was best for her was giving her space to be herself. Despite being stuck “in her own world” for much of her early life, Daryl’s creative imagination eventually led her to iconic roles in films like Splash, Kill Bill, and Blade Runner. “I still struggle,” said Hannah in an interview with Dan Rather, “I’m not comfortable. I’m not an extrovert.” Despite these struggles, Hannah has managed to push through and create a life and career she’s proud of.
While it’s uncommon now for a psychiatrist to recommend an autistic child be medicated and institutionalized, Hannah’s story is a great reminder to empower autistic individuals to live as themselves at all levels of society.
Satoshi Tajiri
You may not know the name Satoshi Tajiri…but almost everyone knows the name Pokémon! As a child, Satoshi was obsessed with video games and studying different kinds of bugs. Since Satoshi has autism, these interests were more intense than interests that neurotypical kids may have had. By embracing these interests, he would eventually begin to create the Pokémon franchise. In the original game, over 150 different characters were featured, each with their own unique look and special abilities. The thought and specificity put into each character highlight Satoshi’s dedication to making each character just right. The franchise captured the hearts of millions, and it is known now as one of highest-grossing media franchises of all time, featuring an anime series, movies, video games, a trading card game, and the spin-off game Pokemon Go.
Satoshi’s story is inspiring because it encourages us to embrace our unique interests; they may lead to great places!
Elon Musk
In 2025, Elon Musk is a name that needs no introduction. He is known as the richest man in the world, a senior advisor to President Trump, and the face of companies like X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, and Tesla. Musk first openly self-identified as Autistic while hosting SNL in 2021, when the mogul declared “I’m actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger’s to host SNL… So, I won’t make a lot of eye contact with the cast tonight. But don’t worry, I’m pretty good at running ‘human’ in emulation mode.” Musk was born to a wealthy family in South Africa, and he describes his childhood as being “lonely.” He began to thrive, however, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and moving to help create the platform that would become PayPal. His dedication to his interests has aided him in his rise to power in the world of tech. His former partner, Canadian singer Grimes, is also a notable figure on the Autism spectrum.
Though many of Musk’s personal opinions have been controversial, it is inspiring to see a high-achieving Autistic person embracing success.
Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg became famous when in 2018, at age 15, she began skipping school to protest outside of the Swedish Parliament. She insisted that she would continue striking from school every Friday until Sweden complied with the Paris climate agreement. According to Greta, part of her incredible strength and passion comes from her diagnoses as a person with Autism Spectrum disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Selective Mutism. Greta describes these diagnoses as her “superpower.” Her experience with Autism causes her to remain focused on societal issues that others might be able to overlook. Greta’s selective mutism does not stop her from speaking out, she describes herself as “only speaking when necessary,” but makes clear that “now is one of those moments.”
Greta’s unwavering ability to stand up for what’s right serves as a reminder of how Autistic people can encourage all of us to stand up for our values.
Supporting Individuals to Reach Their Goals
At Applied Behavioral Advancements, our goal is to help equip individuals across the spectrum with the tools they need to reach their goals. We are proud to create innovative strategies for unique individuals, with no two plans being the same. Our clients are encouraged to embrace their unique personalities and talents, and see Autism as part of what makes them special, not a problem to be solved. You can learn more about our services and area of expertise on our Services page.