On Tuesday, November 17, Charlie Sheen announced on Today show that he is HIV positive. Though he is the most recent celebrity to share an HIV diagnosis with the public, he is certainly not the only celebrity who has. Out of the 1.2 million Americans affected by the virus, at least 10 of them are also living in the Hollywood spotlight.
Magic Johnson, basketball player
Diagnosed in 1991: “I enjoy being the messenger for God in terms of letting people know about HIV and AIDS.”
Greg Louganis, Olympic diver
Diagnosed in1988: “People wait in line to see me, saying there’s plenty of living to be done even if you have an HIV diagnosis. People say they are 10- or 15-year survivors and still moving forward.
Viktor Luna, Project Runway fashion designer
Diagnosed in 2006: “Remember, we are all one, and only as one can we truly make a difference.”
Rudy Galindo, Olympic figure skater
Diagnosed in 2000: “I didn’t want to hide this illness. I didn’t want to live a lie. I’ve always wanted to be truthful.”
Holly Johnson, singer
Diagnosed in1991: “Many beautiful friends who were my gay extended family have gone. So I’m kind of living for them also in some ways.”
Jerry Herman, Broadway composer
Diagnosed in 1985: “I really don’t mind talking about it, because I want other people in my situation to realize it’s possible to live a normal life with this disease.”
Andy Bell, Erasure frontman
Diagnosed in 1995: “Being HIV-positive does not mean that you have AIDS. My life expectancy should be the same as anyone else’s, so there’s no need to panic.”
Chuck Panozzo, bass player for Styx
Diagnosed in 1991: “It’s part of what I have to do, but I still don’t want it to interfere. There may be days when I don’t feel 100 percent or am tired, but who isn’t tired that day?”
Andrew Sullivan, author of Daily Dish
Diagnosed in 1996: “I’ll have to say this, though, no actual American ever treated me any differently for being HIV positive, gay, or British.”
Jim J Bullock, actor and comedian
Diagnosed in 1985: “I’m encouraged by advances in treatment and the success of educational awareness programs”
Danny Pintauro, “Who’s the Boss?” star
Diagnosed in 2003: “My husband, our first date, we hadn’t even kissed, it was the first thing I told him. The first thing he said was ‘I’m not scared of it at all.'”