Poliomyelitis (often simply called polio) is an acute viral infection that involves the gastrointestinal tract and occasionally the central nervous system. Poliovirus is acquired by faecal–oral or oral transmission. Prior to the introduction of a polio vaccine in 1955, infection was common, with epidemics during the summer and autumn of temperate countries. Polio eradication efforts have reduced the number of estimated polio cases worldwide by more than 99% since the mid-1980s.

Most infections are asymptomatic; a small number cause a minor illness that is indistinguishable from many other viral illnesses; less than 1% result in acute flaccid paralysis. This article lists people who had the paralytic form of polio. The extent of paralysis varies from part of a limb to quadriplegia and respiratory failure. The latter was often treated with an iron lung. Around 30–40 years after contracting paralytic poliomyelitis, about 25–40% of cases lead to post-polio syndrome. Symptoms include muscle pain, further weakening of muscles and paralysis. (Public domain text, used with permission and thanks.)

Surviving paralytic polio can be a life-changing experience. Individuals may be permanently physically disabled to varying degrees. Others remember the fear and isolation. Some continue to campaign for polio eradication and disability rights.

Uncontested diagnosis

This categorised alphabetical list contains people with a firm and uncontested diagnosis made while still alive.

Acting

Name Life Comments Actor who played Hawkeye Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H. Alda contracted polio at age seven, during an epidemic. His parents administered a painful treatment, developed by Sister Elizabeth Kenny, in which hot woollen blankets were applied to the limbs and the muscles were stretched by massage. 1897–1961 Actress who had a relationship with William Randolph Hearst. She caught polio in the 1940s, which affected one of her legs. 1934–2020 Drury played the title role in the weekly television series, The Virginian. He survived a bout of polio at the age of 10. Actress who was appointed a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 2000, and campaigns in the fight against polio. Farrow collapsed on her ninth birthday and was diagnosed with polio two days later. She was in the hospital for eight months, where an iron lung maintained her breathing. 1917–2008 In the early 1940s, Ferrer's career as an actor, film director and Broadway producer was stalled when he contracted polio. Ferrer was ill for a year and resumed work in radio instead of theatre. 1929–2006 Actress who played the heroine in the 3-D film House of Wax. Kirk had polio as a child. 1925–2002 After a bout with polio in 1932, Knef went on to become an actress, singer and writer. 1918–1995 Film actress and director, Lupino caught polio in June 1934 and was affected for only a few days. Actress who survived a polio infection she caught as an adult. 1947–2006 Actor and voice actor Tim Rooney was the second son of actor Mickey Rooney. He contracted polio as a child and was paralysed for two years. Actor who played Carlo Rizzi in the 1972 movie The Godfather. He contracted polio at age seven, and spent five years in a state hospital. 1935–2024 Sutherland contracted polio as a child and developed a love of reading while bedridden. He went on to become an actor, and has appeared in over 130 films. Templeton contracted polio at six months, survived, and underwent physical therapy until she was eight years old. In a 1990 interview, Templeton said that when she recovered, she got back 65 percent of movement in her left leg but only 10 percent in her right leg. The rest of her life she had a limp.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Thaxter contracted polio in 1952. The disease took a toll on her career as an actress, to which she made a slow return—often taking roles that would accommodate a physical challenge. 1925–2000 Actress and dancer on Broadway and in films. Verdon was encouraged to dance by her mother, a dance teacher, as therapy for her polio-afflicted legs. 1904–1984 At age nine, Weissmüller contracted polio. At the suggestion of his doctor, he took up swimming to help battle the disease, and he went on to win five Olympic gold medals in the sport during the 1920s.

Business

Name Life Comments Infected as an infant, Barrett didn't walk until she was six. She went on to become a Harvard business professor and a philanthropist. 1909–2007 After a bout of polio as an infant, Bisz went on to become one of Florida's first female attorneys, eventually winning a number of cases against Cuban leader Fidel Castro. An entrepreneur and founder of the outdoor retailer Cabela's. He stated that his business was inspired by his bout with polio and a deep love of fishing and hunting.Guy CrescentBusinessman who was president of SNCF Logistics#Calberson from 1963 to 1985 and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in 1971. He was diagnosed with polio at the age of three months and first learned to walk at the age of twelve. He died in 1996, but not of polio. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar, U.S. Army Brigadier General, and Republican candidate for Senate, Dawkins contracted polio at age eleven. Canadian theatrical producer, contracted polio at age three, and was left with a limp in his left leg. 1936–2004 Chairman emeritus of the securities firm Morgan Stanley, he had to use a cane as a result of polio. 1884–1934 Founded the Mars confectionery company. After contracting polio as a child and not being able to play like other children, Mars helped his mother in the kitchen. This led to selling candy after school and, eventually, his own company. 1889–1955Canadian lawyer and businessman. Contracted polio at age two and used crutches. President of the Canadian Bar Association, coal administrator during the Second World War, and founder of Halifax law firm. 1847–1909 Toy maker and founder of the Steiff Company, known for its teddy bear. She contracted polio, aged 18 months, and lost the use of her legs and had only partial use of her right arm. Businessman and founder of The Washington Companies. He contracted polio when he was eight and recovered well.

Disability rights activists

Name Life Comments 1930–2002 An activist who helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A bout of polio at age 18 left him using a wheelchair. 1945–2004 Crusader for equality of disabled people, Ducharme contracted polio in 1953. The disease left her a quadriplegic and dependent on a respirator for the rest of her life. 1933–2004 Author and disability rights advocate, Hugh Gallagher contracted polio at college and subsequently required a wheelchair due to lower-body paralysis. He aided the drafting of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. 1947–2023 Heumann contracted polio when she was 18 months old, and was unable to walk. She became a disability rights activist, co-founding the World Institute on Disability, and served as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services during the Clinton Administration.Helen Phillips Levin1924-1985Levin contracted polio during the 1951 polio epidemic. She had tetraplegia, but went on to become one of the first severely disabled students at the University of Southern California, and worked to remove architectural barriers at the Los Angeles City Council for the Handicapped. 1939–1995 Disability rights activist who co-founded the World Institute on Disability and was the first severely disabled student to attend the University of California, Berkeley. At age 14 Roberts contracted polio; he was paralysed and in an iron lung within 24 hours. When told he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life, he "decided to be an artichoke...a little prickly on the outside but with a big heart." Sir Bert Massie was a prominent British disability rights campaigner who contracted polio at the age of one. He served as Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission from 2000 to 2007.

Film, television and radio

Name Life Comments Television presenter and wheelchair basketball player, Adepitan caught polio, aged six months, in Nigeria. His left side is weakened, especially his left leg. Television producer of programmes including The Office. While living in Cairo, Atalla contracted polio from polluted water when he was six months old. He uses a wheelchair and has said that, although he gets "patronised all the time", he has never "experienced prejudice because of it". Cook book author, TV presenter. At the age of 13, Berry contracted polio and had to spend three months in the Claverton Down Isolation Hospital. Her illness resulted in her having a twisted spine, a weaker left hand and thinner left arm. She has said that the period of forced separation from her family while in the hospital "toughened [her] up" and "taught [her] to make the most of every opportunity [she] would have." Film director, producer, and screenwriter. He recalled, "When I was nine I was confined to a room for over a year with polio, and because polio is a child's illness, they kept every other kid away from me. I remember being pinned to this bed, and longing for friends and company." 1933–2021 Film and television actor who appeared in the CBS series Airwolf (1984–1986); he had polio between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Cord's family relocated to a Wyoming ranch c. 1945, where he was encouraged to ride horseback for successful therapy. 1920–1990 Radio and television personality who hosted the game show The Price Is Right. Cullen contracted polio at the age of eighteen months. This left him with a permanent limp. He first worked in radio so that his limp would not be seen. Film director and producer. He had a bout with polio aged seven. Drabinsky contracted polio at age six, which temporarily paralysed his left leg. He became a film and theatrical producer, and believes his experience with polio "galvanised [his] spirit and sense of determination". Hill contracted polio at age eight and first used a cane and later a wheelchair to assist with mobility. He became a broadcast journalist and traveled the world with his wife and children living in India, Burma, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Malawi as a correspondent for Voice of America. 1935–2025 Radio presenter John Laws contracted polio twice: as a boy and as a young man. 1950–2023 Television reporter and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. He received the Clarke Institute's 1996 "Courage to Come Back" Award for his battle with polio. 1937–2005 Publishing, media and gaming tycoon who owned the Australian Nine Network. He contracted polio as a child, spent nine months in an iron lung, and consequently fell behind at school. Roizman contracted polio at age 13, which ended his dream to be a professional baseball player. He became a cinematographer and has been nominated for five Oscars. News anchor on KDKA-TV, Pennsylvania. He contracted polio at the age of six months, and was completely paralysed for a time, and now walks with a limp. Radio and television presenter and historian, Starkey was born with two club feet and caught polio as an infant. He recalled, "I spent a lot of my infancy in hospital and actually started school in a wheelchair with this enormous plaster, and then into a surgical boot and callipers, none of which helps assimilation with other children." Later a radio and television personality, Steagall worked as a rodeo bull rider until he contracted polio at age 15. He began playing guitar as part of his recovery, and has recorded over 200 songs in various genres. born 1940 Historian, author, and scriptwriter for documentary films, particularly in association with Ken Burns. Contracted polio at age nine, and walks with leg braces.'The Roosevelts', Documentary Series on PBS – The New York Times Film director, producer and writer. Yu contracted polio, aged eight months. During his slow recovery he developed fantasy worlds to cope with his loneliness.

Literature