Famous People with One Eye: 15 Inspiring Life Stories

Have you ever wondered how much a physical challenge can shape a person’s destiny? What would you do if the world suddenly looked different — if your path forward required adapting in ways others never have to consider?

Throughout history, many extraordinary individuals have lived with vision loss in one eye and still changed the world around them. Their stories aren’t about limitations—they’re about resilience, determination, and creative strength.

By exploring the lives of these famous people with one eye, you’ll see how the human spirit can rise above obstacles, challenge assumptions, and inspire you to face your own challenges with confidence and perspective.

1. Johnny Depp

Did you know Johnny Depp is actually among the famous people with vision in one eye? He revealed in a 2013 Rolling Stone magazine interview that he’s been blind in his left eye since birth and extremely nearsighted in the right. 

Imagine trying to perform without clear vision — yet he became one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable stars. Thankfully, glasses help him function, but without them, everything close up is a blur. 

When you watch Pirates of the Caribbean or Edward Scissorhands, it’s wild to realize the obstacles he pushed through.

2. Sammy Davis Jr.

When you think about celebrities with a prosthetic eye, Sammy Davis Jr. instantly comes to mind. Have you ever heard the story behind it? In 1954, a terrible car accident on Route 66 took his left eye after he struck the steering wheel — seat belts weren’t standard then. 

Thankfully, he survived, later wearing first an eye patch and then a glass eye. Despite it all, he became one of the most talented entertainers in history. It makes you wonder: what would you do after such a life-changing moment?

3. Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard is one of the inspiring famous one-eyed women who turned pain into power. Blind in one eye due to childhood retinoblastoma — the same cancer that tragically took her sister — she grew up facing loss most people can’t imagine. 

Yet she found comfort in music, something you may relate to if you’ve ever leaned on creativity during tough times. Thankfully, her resilience helped her become the soulful powerhouse behind Alabama Shakes and a standout among famous people with only one eye.

4. Mila Kunis

If you’ve ever watched Mila Kunis and wondered how she performs with such confidence, her story might surprise you. For years, she was one of the famous people with one blind eye, due to chronic iritis that caused major vision loss and even a cataract. 

She kept it secret until 2011 and later had surgery to restore her sight. Have you noticed her eye colors? She has heterochromia iridum, too. Thankfully, despite everything, Kunis continues to shine among famous one-eyed women in Hollywood.

Think color blindness is rare? You might be surprised — learn why in what causes color blindness blog.

5. Peter Falk

You probably know Peter Falk as the unforgettable Columbo, but did you know he was also among the well-known celebrities with prosthetic eyes? At age three, he lost his natural eye to cancer and wore a glass eye before switching to a plastic one. Imagine being a kid going through that. 

But, it didn’t stop him — his look even became part of his charm. When you watch him on screen, it’s easy to see why he remains one of the most iconic famous people with only one eye.

6. Thom Yorke

If you’re a Radiohead fan, you may already know Thom Yorke belongs on the list of famous people with one blind eye. 

As a child, he went through six surgeries for a paralyzed eye, the last leaving him with his distinctive drooping eyelid. Can you imagine handling that and still becoming one of the most influential musicians of your generation? 

Yorke turned the challenge into art, helping create masterpieces like OK Computer. His story might make you rethink what’s possible with perseverance.

7. Leo Fender

Leo Fender is one of those historical figures with one eye whose influence you probably feel without even realizing it. After losing his left eye to a tumor at age eight, he adapted quickly, wearing a glass eye for the rest of his life. 

Eventually, he found passion in electronics and teamed up with Les Paul to revolutionize modern music. If you’ve ever heard a Fender guitar, you’ve heard his genius at work. It’s amazing how many famous people with only one eye end up shaping the world.

8. James Joyce

Have you ever read James Joyce and wondered how he created such masterpieces? His journey wasn’t easy. Joyce battled anterior uveitis and endured more than a dozen eye surgeries, eventually becoming one of the famous people with one blind eye. 

Tired of procedures that brought little relief, he chose to wear an eye patch and even wrote with red crayons on large sheets of paper so he could see better. It makes you appreciate his work even more, doesn’t it?

9. Sandy Duncan

Sandy Duncan is one of the famous one-eyed women whose story is both shocking and inspiring. At 25, severe headaches led to the discovery of a benign brain tumor near her eye. 

During surgery, her optic nerve was accidentally severed, leaving her blind in her left eye. Imagine facing that early in your career — would you have the courage to continue performing? But, she did. Duncan went on to earn Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominations, proving vision loss can’t dim true talent.

10. Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is one of the most inspiring famous people with one blind eye — and later, no vision at all. Born with congenital glaucoma, he could barely see as a child. Then, at age 12, a soccer accident caused a brain hemorrhage that took his remaining sight. 

Thankfully, music became both his comfort and his calling. If you’ve ever found peace in a song, you’ll understand his journey. Bocelli went on to become one of the world’s most beloved tenors, inspiring millions with his story.

11. Judi Dench

Judi Dench may not be the first person you think of when talking about famous people with vision in one eye, but she has lived for years with a serious sight condition. 

She suffers from age-related macular degeneration, leaving one eye significantly impaired and the other slowly deteriorating. Have you ever tried reading with blurry vision? She still memorizes scripts for major films and stage roles despite it. 

Her determination reminds you how many famous one-eyed women or low-vision celebrities continue performing at the highest level.

Want to know how people lose their sight? Check out how people become blind for an easy-to-understand explanation.

12. Tadhg Murphy

Irish actor Tadhg Murphy is one of the few openly famous people with only one eye in modern film and TV. He lost his right eye in a childhood accident involving a toy arrow — something that could’ve happened to any kid. 

Instead of hiding it, Murphy embraced the look, and you’ve probably seen him in shows like Vikings and Black Sails, where his eye difference adds intensity to his roles. 

It makes you realize how powerful authenticity can be for famous one-eyed people in the entertainment world.

13. Alice Walker

Alice Walker, the brilliant author of The Color Purple, deserves a place among the famous one-eyed women for a little-known childhood event that shaped her life. 

When she was eight, her brother accidentally shot her in the eye with a BB gun, leaving permanent blindness in one eye. Have you ever had an experience that changed how you saw the world — literally or emotionally? 

Walker often says that the injury pushed her toward writing, giving her the perspective that led to her Pulitzer Prize-winning voice.

14. Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most fascinating historical figures with one eye, even though most people never knew about it. 

During a boxing match at the White House — yes, he boxed while president — an opponent’s punch detached the retina in his left eye, leaving him blind on that side. 

Imagine losing part of your vision while serving as president. Roosevelt simply adapted and kept going, adding another chapter to his already bold, adventurous life. Stories like his show how many famous people with one blind eye shaped history.

15. Fetty Wap

Fetty Wap is one of the most recognized modern celebrities with one eye. He lost his left eye to congenital glaucoma as a child and eventually chose to wear no prosthetic, turning his look into part of his identity. 

If you’ve ever admired someone who owns their differences with confidence, he’s a perfect example. His rise with hits like “Trap Queen” showed that being visually unique doesn’t hold you back — it can even set you apart. He’s now firmly on the list of famous one-eyed people in music.

List of Famous People with Only One Eye: Conclusion

As you’ve seen, living with vision in one eye didn’t stop these individuals from shaping culture, art, politics, or music — it helped shape who they became.

Their stories invite you to rethink what limitations really mean and how perspective can become strength. They show that success isn’t about perfect circumstances, but about how you adapt and keep moving forward.

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