Celebrities with Marcus Gunn Syndrome

Marcus Gunn phenomenon (MGP) is a rare genetic disorder that is usually present at birth. It is characterized by the movement of one upper eyelid in a rapid rising motion each time the jaw moves. This condition is also known as Marcus Gunn jaw-winking or trigemino-oculomotor synkinesis. MGP is one of the congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders (CCDDs), a group of diseases that affect the development and function of the cranial nerves and muscles.

MGP can affect anyone, but it is more common in females than males. The exact incidence and prevalence of MGP are not well known, but some estimates suggest that it affects about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 live births.

MGP can cause various symptoms, such as ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), anisocoria (unequal pupil size), strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), astigmatism (irregular shape of the cornea), or nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). However, some patients may have no symptoms at all and are diagnosed incidentally during an eye examination. The main complications of MGP are visual impairment and cosmetic problems.

The treatment of MGP depends on the severity of the symptoms and the patient's preference. The main goals of treatment are to improve vision, correct eye alignment, and enhance appearance. Surgery may be performed to correct the ptosis, reduce the jaw-winking, or adjust the eye muscles. Non-surgical options may include glasses, contact lenses, eye patches, or botulinum toxin injections. Some patients may not require any treatment if the symptoms are mild or do not affect their quality of life.

There are some celebrities who have been diagnosed with MGP or have publicly shared their experience with the disorder. Here are five examples:

• Forest Whitaker. Forest is an actor, producer, and director from the United States who has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and many other accolades. He is known for his roles in films such as The Last King of Scotland (2006), The Butler (2013), Black Panther (2018), and The Godfather of Harlem (2019). He was born with MGP in his left eye, which causes his eyelid to droop and wink when he smiles or speaks. He has said that he does not mind his condition and considers it a part of his identity.


• Paris Hilton. Paris is a socialite, media personality, model, singer, actress, and businesswoman from the United States who has appeared in various reality shows, films, music videos, and commercials. She is also known for her fashion and lifestyle brands and her philanthropic work. She was born with MGP in her right eye, which causes her eyelid to lift slightly when she chews or talks. She has said that she likes her condition and thinks it makes her look unique.


• Thom Yorke. Thom is a singer-songwriter, musician, and producer from England who is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Radiohead. He has also released solo albums and collaborated with other artists such as Björk, PJ Harvey, and Flea. He was born with MGP in his left eye, which causes his eyelid to twitch when he moves his mouth. He also had a paralyzed eye muscle that made his eye wander outwards. He underwent several surgeries to correct his eye problems as a child and as an adult.


• Kate Bosworth. Kate is an actress and model from the United States who has starred in films such as Blue Crush (2002), Superman Returns (2006), Still Alice (2014), and The Domestics (2018). She also has her own fashion line and jewelry collection. She was born with MGP in her right eye, which causes her eyelid to raise slightly when she smiles or laughs. She also has heterochromia iridum (different colored eyes), with one eye being blue and the other being hazel.


• Jesse Eisenberg. Jesse is an actor, author, and playwright from the United States who has appeared in films such as The Social Network (2010), Zombieland (2009), Now You See Me (2013), and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). He has also written and starred in several plays and books. He was born with MGP in his left eye, which causes his eyelid to lift slightly when he speaks or eats. He has said that he does not notice his condition and does not think it affects his acting.

These are just some of the celebrities who have MGP or have spoken about it publicly. There may be others who have not disclosed their diagnosis or are not aware of it. MGP is a rare but benign disorder that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or occupation. It is important to raise awareness and educate people about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of MGP, as well as to support research and advocacy for better outcomes and quality of life for patients and their families.