15 Famous One-Eyed People


 

*Originally Published by Charity K in March 2023 and Updated by  Diana K in March 2024

One-eyed people are not very common in the world but we have a few that we can talk about in this article. Actors and actresses like Judith Dench, Johnny Depp, Fetty Wap, and Steve Wynn are visually impaired. They lost one eye in various misfortunes some as they acted and others to glaucoma. For instance, Judith Dench, the best Britain Actress who acted in various television programs, worked for the National Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She also played a role in Golden Eye in eight James Bond films with her last cameo appearance in Spectre in 2015. Sammy Davis Jr. was an American dancer, singer, actor, and comedian who lost his left eye in a car accident. Sanday Duncan who had the same career as Sammy Davis Jr. lost her left eye in 1972 due to a tumor that developed behind it. Other famous one-eyed include the former United States of America president Theodore Roosevelt whose left eye was completely damaged by his own military aide during a friendly boxing match in the White House. Apart from Alice Walker who lost her right eye, all the other famous people in this article lost their left eye.

1. Judith Dench

JudiDenchFeb07.jpg Photo by Caroline Bonarde Ucci at https://www.flickr.com/photos/caroline_bonarde/ –

She was born on December 9, 1934. She emerged as the best British actress. Her rise to prominence began when she made various appearances for almost twenty years with the company in Stratford and London where she also won many awards as the best actress. Her turning point was in 1976 with RSC, in her performance in the place of Lady Macbeth. Recently, her role in Jules Williamson’s comedy-drama was known as Off the Rails in 2021 when she starred Kelly Preston, Jenny Seagrove, and Sally Phillips. In addition, she was also part of the film Allelujah and more recently on November 2022 an interview on BBC with documentarian Lius Theroux. Last but not least, in January 2023 BBC concert known as Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, she appeared singing “Send in the Clowns” drawn from a little night music.

Read about the ugly people of all time here.

2. Sammy Davis Jr.

The American singer, actor, comedian, and dancer was born on December 8, 1925. He was an overnight sensation. He was also a recording artist. He lost his left eye in an auto accident in 1954 when he was 29 years old.

3. Sandy Duncan

Sandy Duncan 1999.jpg Photo by John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA –

She was born on February 20, 1946. She was an American actress, comedian, dancer, and singer who joined the cast of the Hogan Family after her mother was killed. She had a brain tumor that caused the lose of her eye.

Read about the ugly people of all time here.

4. Fetty Wap

He is an American rapper, songwriter, and singer. He was born on June 7, 1991. His debut single “Trap Queen” gave him prominence in 2015 when it reached number two on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition, his record deal with 300 entertainment. He also had two top ten hits in the United States “679 which featured Remy Boyz and more importantly, “My Way” a remix that featured Drake.

5. Peter Falk

Columbo Peter Falk 1973.JPG Photo by Margie Korshak Associates-publicity agency-Falk was appearing at an awards dinner in Chicago. –

Born in 1927 is a famous best-known Peter who played the role of Lieutenant Columbo. His eye was lost at the young age of three years. He suffered a tumor that doctors recommended removal of his right eye. This resulted in him wearing an artificial eye. His trademark was Squint. He was an active baseball and basketball dispute challenge.

Also check this
Best book about Theodore Roosevelt
Best book about Judi Dench
Best book about Samuel Johnson

6. Alice Walker

He was born on February 9, 1944, in Eatonton to Minnie Tallulah Grant and Willie Lee Walker. The American famous author lost her right eye at the age of 8. The brother shot her with a BB gun straight in the eye. The scar caused her embarrassment and this was the beginning of her career as an author. She won the National Book Award in 1983. In the same year, she won the Pulitzer for fiction. She is famous for her poetry, activism, and writing. Her portrayal of African American life and culture in her poetry and writing makes her stand out.

Read about the ugly people of all time here.

7. Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt, 1904.jpg Photo by Pach Brothers –

The 26th President of the United States of America under the Republican Party in 1901-1909 lost his left eye during a White House boxing match with his military aide. he is the first president to have one eye in the history of America. He was a regular boxer and normally would box even professional boxers. Unfortunately, his boxing game with Col. Daniel T. Moore left him impaired.

8. Leo Fender

FGF museum 01. Leo and early models.jpg Photo by Mr. Littlehand –

He was born on August 10, 1909, to Clarence Monte Fender and Harriet Elvira Wood. His left eye was removed due to a tumor that he developed a tumor in his left eye at the age of 8 years. The eye was removed and replaced with a glass eye. At an early age, he played piano and saxophone. He developed an interest in electronics, a career that drove him to invent a guitar together with Les Paul. This change the world of music as many musicians adapted the guitar in their singing. He developed music systems that many musicians bought or rented for use. He also amplified acoustic guitars. Gradually, he became famous and big bands and jazz music players visited his store for the guitars.

9. Thom Yorke

The British singer has had a paralyzed left eye since birth. Fiver operations to try to revive it have never been born fruits. His Radiohead songs include “Creep” and “How to Disappear Completely.” The band hit the top in 1997 with its album OK Computer. Efforts to have the eye revived cost him six operations out of which the last one left him with a drooping eyelid.

10. Samuel Johnson

The famous compiler of the English Dictionary was blind in one eye since birth in 1709. This disability did not keep him away from this achieving his goal. His dictionary is the most famous in history with over 40,000 words and was first published in 1755. The definitions were complete with etymological suggestions and literary quotations. This dictionary is used even today.

The article has the most famous who have one eye. The connecting factor about these personalities is that they lost their left eye apart from Alice Walker who lost her right eye. A few of them lost their eye through sickness while others were through motor accidents. In addition, the Former United States of America President Theodore Roosevelt lost his left eye in a White House boxing friendly game with his aide making him the first American President to have one eye.

Read about the ugly people of all time here.

11. Moshe Dayan

10 Famous One-Eyed People

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Moshe Dayan was an Israeli military leader and politician who played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s history. Born in Degania Alef, a kibbutz in British-mandated Palestine, Dayan lost his left eye during a battle in 1941 while serving in the Palmach, an elite fighting force of the Haganah, the Jewish underground militia. Despite this injury, he continued to serve with unwavering determination, earning a reputation as a fearless and charismatic commander.

Dayan went on to become the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the 1956 Suez Crisis and later served as the Minister of Defense during the Six-Day War in 1967, which resulted in a stunning military victory for Israel. His iconic eye patch and distinctive appearance made him a recognizable figure both within Israel and on the global stage.

12. Isaac Hayes

Isaac Hayes, the legendary American singer, songwriter, and actor, was born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, Tennessee. Known for his deep, velvety voice and iconic contributions to soul and funk music, Hayes rose to fame with his hit songs like Soul Man and his Academy Award-winning soundtrack for the film Shaft. In 1974, Hayes suffered a life-altering event when he lost his left eye in a car accident.

Despite this setback, he continued to captivate audiences with his phenomenal musical talents and acting skills. Hayes achieved further fame for his role as Chef in the animated television series South Park, where his character became a beloved and hilarious fixture. His ability to overcome adversity and maintain his artistic brilliance made him an inspiration to many, solidifying his status as a cultural icon.

13. Gabrielle Giffords

10 Famous One-Eyed People

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Gabrielle Giffords  is a former U.S. Representative who demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in the face of adversity. On January 8, 2011, while holding a constituent meeting outside a Tucson supermarket, Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt when a gunman opened fire, shooting her in the head at close range. The traumatic incident left her critically injured and resulted in the loss of vision in her right eye.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Giffords embarked on an arduous journey of recovery, undergoing intensive rehabilitation to regain her speech and mobility. Her determination and unwavering spirit inspired people around the world, and she became a powerful advocate for gun control and mental health awareness. Giffords’ remarkable resilience and her commitment to public service continue to serve as an example of strength and perseverance.

14. David Paterson

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

David Paterson, the former Governor of New York, overcame remarkable challenges to achieve his political aspirations. Paterson’s journey was marked by adversity from the very beginning. During infancy, he contracted an infection that led to the loss of sight in his left eye, leaving him legally blind. Despite this formidable obstacle, Paterson refused to let his disability define him. He pursued his education with unwavering determination, earning a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Hofstra University.

Paterson’s resilience and dedication propelled him into the realm of public service, where he served as a State Senator and Lieutenant Governor of New York. In 2008, he made history by becoming the first legally blind governor of New York, taking over the reins of the state following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. During his tenure, Paterson tackled pressing issues such as the economic crisis and advocated for the rights of individuals with disabilities. 

15. Jean-Pierre Herve

Jean-Pierre Herve, a renowned French film director and screenwriter, faced a pivotal moment in his life that could have derailed his career but instead fueled his determination to excel in his craft. While details of the car accident that cost him his left eye remain scarce, the impact of this event was undeniable. However, Herve refused to let this setback define his journey.

Drawing strength from his passion for cinema, he continued his work in the film industry, contributing his creative vision and storytelling abilities to various projects. His perseverance and unwavering dedication to his art earned him recognition and respect within the French film community. Despite the challenges posed by his partial vision, Herve’s ability to capture the essence of human emotion and convey compelling narratives on the silver screen remained undiminished. 


Famous one-eyed people have left a mark on history, transcending physical limitations and inspiring generations. From military leaders like Moshe Dayan to cultural icons like Isaac Hayes, their achievements remind us of the resilience of the human spirit. Figures like Gabrielle Giffords and David Paterson have shown that disabilities need not define one’s path, but rather serve as a catalyst for determination and advocacy. These remarkable individuals have challenged societal perceptions, proving that vision extends far beyond the physical realm and into the realms of courage, perseverance, and impact on the world around us.

Also check this
Best book about Theodore Roosevelt
Best book about Judi Dench
Best book about Samuel Johnson

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