The actor told the Today Show in 2012 that he had dedicated himself to taking care of his body, aiming to get regular sleep and take care of himself so that he can manage this lifelong illness. He told Huffington Post, “I’m healthier now than I was before, so everything is in tip-top shape.”

Serena Williams

Even the most physically fit celebrities are at risk for developing life-threatening conditions. In 2011, tennis superstar Serena Williams was sidelined with life-threatening pulmonary embolism and a hematoma in her abdomen. The athlete was on her way to an Oscars party when she began having difficulty breathing. Her doctor insisted that she make a beeline for the hospital, where she was diagnosed with the very serious condition. Doctors found several blood clots in each lung. Williams underwent treatment, which included surgery on her lungs, and went through periods of despair, especially when her illness left her breathless and exhausted.

She told The Guardian that year, “This has given me a whole new perspective on life and my career - and not taking anything for granted. I’m just taking one day at a time.”

Bret Michaels

For Poison singer and “Rock of Love” star Bret Michaels, 2010 was not a very good year. The singer was hospitalized six times in a period of two weeks while on tour. He had two stents put in his body, faced an emergency appendectomy, a brain hemorrhage, and a “warning stroke.” This warning stroke also led to the discovery of a hole in his heart, which had to be repaired surgically in 2011.