Many inspiring celebrities use wheelchairs due to injuries, illnesses, or disabilities. Despite challenges, they have made remarkable contributions to entertainment, sports, and science. Here’s a list of 10 famous people who use wheelchairs and continue to inspire millions.

1. Stephen Hawking – The Brilliant Physicist

Stephen Hawking was one of the most influential scientists of all time, making groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology. Diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at age 21, doctors initially gave him only a few years to live. However, he defied all odds, surviving for more than five decades while continuing his research and expanding our understanding of the universe.

As his condition progressed, Hawking gradually lost the ability to speak and move, relying on a wheelchair for mobility and a computerized voice system to communicate. Despite these challenges, he authored the best-selling book A Brief History of Time, which simplified complex scientific ideas for the public. His work on black holes, singularities, and the nature of time revolutionized physics.

Hawking was also a pop culture icon, making guest appearances in The Simpsons, Star Trek, and The Big Bang Theory. His resilience, sense of humor, and intellectual brilliance continue to inspire scientists and individuals worldwide.

Stephen Hawking was a wheelchair user for 50 years.

2. Christopher Reeve – The Real-Life Superman

Christopher Reeve was best known for playing Superman in the iconic 1978 film and its sequels. His portrayal of the Man of Steel made him a beloved figure in Hollywood, but his life took a dramatic turn in 1995 when a horseback riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve suffered a severe spinal cord injury and was unable to breathe on his own, requiring the use of a ventilator and a wheelchair for mobility.

Rather than retreating from the public eye, Reeve became a powerful advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights. He founded the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which funds groundbreaking medical research and supports people living with paralysis. His advocacy helped bring attention to stem cell research and pushed for advancements in medical technology to improve the lives of those with disabilities.

Despite his condition, Reeve continued directing, acting, and writing, proving that determination and courage can redefine what’s possible. His legacy lives on as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the fight for medical breakthroughs.

Christopher Reeve was a wheelchair user for nearly 9 and a half years.

3. RJ Mitte – Breaking Barriers in Hollywood

RJ Mitte is an actor and disability advocate best known for his role as Walter White Jr. on the hit TV series Breaking Bad. Born in 1992 with cerebral palsy, Mitte faced challenges with motor control and muscle coordination, requiring years of physical therapy and leg braces to strengthen his mobility. Instead of seeing his condition as a limitation, he embraced it and used it to fuel his determination to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Mitte’s breakthrough came in 2008 when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a character who also has cerebral palsy. His portrayal was praised for its authenticity, as he brought real-life experience to the role, making it one of the most accurate and respectful representations of disability on television. Breaking Bad became a cultural phenomenon, and Mitte’s performance helped shatter stereotypes about actors with disabilities.

Following the success of Breaking Bad, Mitte continued acting in films and TV shows, including Switched at Birth, Now Apocalypse, and Triumph, a sports drama where he plays a determined high school wrestler with cerebral palsy. He has also ventured into producing, working on projects that highlight underrepresented communities in the media.

Beyond acting, Mitte is a strong advocate for disability rights and inclusion. He works with organizations like United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Shriners Hospitals for Children, using his platform to promote better representation of people with disabilities in Hollywood. He frequently speaks at conferences, universities, and events, encouraging people with disabilities to pursue their dreams and challenging the industry to provide more opportunities for disabled performers.

In addition to his activism, Mitte has modeled for Gap and walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, proving that disability does not define beauty or talent. His work continues to inspire change, making him one of the most influential voices for disability representation in entertainment today.

4. Daryl Mitchell – From Hollywood to Advocacy

Daryl Mitchell is a talented actor known for his roles in Galaxy Quest, 10 Things I Hate About You, NCIS: New Orleans, and Fear the Walking Dead. His career was on the rise when, in 2001, he was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Rather than stepping away from Hollywood, Mitchell chose to continue acting and became a strong advocate for disability representation in the entertainment industry. He successfully transitioned into roles that reflected his real-life experience, proving that disability does not define talent. He has played wheelchair-using characters in hit TV series, including Ed and NCIS: New Orleans, showcasing authentic disability representation on screen.

Beyond acting, Mitchell actively speaks out about accessibility and inclusion in Hollywood. He also founded the Daryl Mitchell Foundation, which supports people with spinal cord injuries. His perseverance and advocacy work continue to break barriers and inspire countless individuals with disabilities.

5. Ali Stroker – A Broadway Trailblazer

Ali Stroker is a groundbreaking performer who made history as the first wheelchair user to win a Tony Award. Born with a spinal cord injury from a car accident at just two years old, she has used a wheelchair for mobility ever since. Despite the lack of representation of disabled performers in musical theater, Stroker never let it stop her from pursuing her dreams.

She gained national recognition in 2012 as a finalist on The Glee Project, which led to a guest role on Glee, making her the first actress in a wheelchair to appear on the show. However, her biggest breakthrough came in 2019 when she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! Her performance was widely praised for its energy, humor, and outstanding vocals.

Beyond Broadway, Stroker is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in the arts. She regularly speaks about accessibility in theater, encouraging more opportunities for performers with disabilities. She has also written a children’s book, The Chance to Fly, inspiring young disabled individuals to follow their dreams.

With her talent, advocacy, and trailblazing success, Stroker continues to change perceptions of what is possible for performers with disabilities.

6. Tatyana McFadden – The Paralympic Champion

Tatyana McFadden is one of the most accomplished Paralympic athletes in history, dominating wheelchair racing across multiple distances. Born with spina bifida in Russia in 1989, she spent the first years of her life in an orphanage without access to a wheelchair, crawling on her hands for mobility. At age six, she was adopted by Deborah McFadden, an American disability rights advocate, and moved to the United States, where she was finally given a wheelchair and the opportunity to thrive.

Determined to build her strength, McFadden took up sports, eventually discovering a passion for wheelchair racing. She began competing at a young age and quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with on the track. At just 15, she made her Paralympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, winning a silver medal. Since then, she has competed in multiple Paralympic Games, earning 17 Paralympic medals (including seven golds) across five different games.

Beyond the Paralympics, McFadden has dominated the world marathon circuit, winning an unprecedented four major marathons (Boston, Chicago, New York City, and London) in a single year—four times! She holds multiple world records and continues to push the boundaries of endurance and athleticism in wheelchair racing.

McFadden is also a fierce advocate for disability rights. As a high school student, she successfully sued the state of Maryland to ensure that students with disabilities could compete alongside able-bodied athletes in school sports, leading to the groundbreaking Tatyana’s Law, which guarantees equal opportunities for disabled student-athletes. She continues to work toward greater accessibility and inclusivity in sports.

Her incredible achievements, resilience, and advocacy work have made her a role model for athletes around the world. Whether setting records, fighting for equality, or inspiring future generations, McFadden continues to prove that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

7. Aaron Fotheringham – The Extreme Sports Star

Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham is a trailblazer in wheelchair motocross (WCMX), a sport he helped pioneer. Born with spina bifida, he has used a wheelchair since childhood but never let it limit his passion for extreme sports. Inspired by BMX and skateboarding, he started practicing tricks at skate parks, eventually becoming the first person to land a wheelchair backflip and later, a double backflip.

Fotheringham has competed in major action sports events like the X Games and Nitro Circus, where he continues to push the limits of adaptive sports. He also travels the world performing stunts and inspiring young athletes with disabilities to pursue their dreams. His message of resilience and creativity has made him a global role model.

Beyond competing, Fotheringham works to improve wheelchair designs, collaborating with engineers to create better, high-performance wheelchairs for extreme sports. His groundbreaking achievements have changed perceptions of what’s possible for adaptive athletes.

Sam & Ryan have been able to meet and ride with Aaron several times during events he has headlined in Utah. They used their Extreme Motus All Terrain Wheelchair to shred right along side of the legend!

8. Nick Vujicic – Motivational Speaker and Author

Nick Vujicic is a world-renowned motivational speaker, best-selling author, and evangelist who has inspired millions with his powerful message of resilience and hope. Born in 1982 in Australia with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare condition that left him without arms or legs, Vujicic faced significant challenges growing up. As a child, he struggled with bullying, self-doubt, and depression, often feeling like he had no future.

However, through faith, determination, and an unbreakable spirit, he turned his challenges into a source of strength. Vujicic began public speaking as a teenager, sharing his journey of overcoming obstacles and finding purpose. Today, he has spoken in over 60 countries to millions of people, encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness and persevere through life’s struggles.

He founded Life Without Limbs, a nonprofit organization that provides motivational resources and outreach programs worldwide. Vujicic has also authored several best-selling books, including Life Without Limits and Unstoppable, which offer inspiration and practical advice for overcoming adversity.

In addition to his work as a speaker and author, Vujicic has starred in the short film The Butterfly Circus, demonstrating his acting talent and further spreading his message of self-acceptance. He is also a devoted husband and father, showing that despite his physical limitations, he lives a fulfilling and joyful life.

Nick Vujicic’s incredible journey serves as a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and a positive mindset, proving that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

9. Zack Gottsagen – Hollywood Trailblazer

Zack Gottsagen is a talented actor who broke barriers in Hollywood as a performer with Down syndrome. Born in 1985, Gottsagen developed a passion for acting at a young age, despite the entertainment industry’s historical lack of opportunities for actors with disabilities. Determined to follow his dreams, he studied theater and honed his craft, eventually making history as the first actor with Down syndrome to present an award at the Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2020.

His breakthrough role came in the critically acclaimed 2019 film The Peanut Butter Falcon, where he starred alongside Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson. The film, a heartfelt adventure about a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler, was written specifically for Gottsagen after the filmmakers saw his talent. His performance was widely praised for its authenticity and charm, proving that actors with disabilities can lead major films.

Beyond acting, Gottsagen is an advocate for disability inclusion in the entertainment industry. He works to challenge stereotypes and push for greater representation of disabled performers in Hollywood. His success has paved the way for others, inspiring aspiring actors with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

With his trailblazing career and advocacy work, Gottsagen continues to prove that talent and passion transcend limitations, helping to create a more inclusive film industry.

10. Spencer West – Adventurer and Philanthropist

Spencer West is a globally recognized motivational speaker, adventurer, and philanthropist who has defied expectations and inspired millions. Born with a rare genetic condition, sacral agenesis, he lost both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five. Doctors told him he would never be able to live an independent life, but West proved them wrong, becoming a powerful advocate for resilience, determination, and accessibility.

Despite his physical challenges, West has accomplished extraordinary feats. One of his most famous achievements was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands in 2012, a grueling seven-day journey that raised over half a million dollars for clean water initiatives in Africa through Free The Children (now WE Charity). He has also completed multiple marathons on his hands, further proving that physical limitations do not define a person’s potential.

As a highly sought-after motivational speaker, West has spoken to millions of people in over 60 countries, sharing his message of redefining possibility. He has been featured on major platforms, including TEDx, where he speaks about overcoming adversity and challenging societal perceptions of disability. His speeches focus on leadership, resilience, and using obstacles as stepping stones to success.

Beyond speaking, West actively participates in humanitarian efforts, working with organizations that promote accessibility, education, and clean water projects worldwide. He is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, openly sharing his experiences as a gay man with a disability and promoting inclusivity across all aspects of life.

West’s story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the power of a positive mindset. Whether climbing mountains, running marathons, or delivering impactful speeches, he continues to inspire people to push past their limits and create meaningful change in the world.

Final Thoughts

The celebrities on this list prove that having a disability and using a wheelchair does not define a person’s potential. Whether excelling in sports, entertainment, science, or advocacy, they have shattered barriers, proving that determination and passion matter far more than physical limitations.

Despite facing significant challenges, Stephen Hawking revolutionized physics, Christopher Reeve became a voice for spinal cord research, and Ali Stroker made history on Broadway. Tatyana McFadden dominates wheelchair marathon racing, Aaron Fotheringham pushes the limits of extreme sports, and RJ Mitte champions disability inclusion in Hollywood. Each of these individuals refused to let obstacles stop them from achieving greatness.

Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that hard work, resilience, and belief in oneself can lead to incredible success—no matter the circumstances. They inspire others to chase their dreams, break down barriers, and prove that anything is possible with determination and courage. Their legacy is not just one of success but of changing the world for the better.