5 Famous Personalities Who Underwent Heart Bypass Surgery

We often assume that celebrities enjoy better health than the average person, given their access to top-tier healthcare providers, fitness experts, dietitians, and private chefs. However, despite these advantages, celebrities are not immune to illnesses. They face the same health challenges as everyone else, including diabetes, hypertension, and conditions like coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease develops when the heart's blood vessels fail to supply sufficient blood to the muscle, often due to atherosclerosis, which involves plaque accumulation in the arteries. This can lead to chest pain or heart attacks if left untreated. When lifestyle adjustments or medications prove ineffective, surgery becomes necessary. One such procedure, called a heart bypass, involves using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new pathway around the blockage, ensuring proper blood flow to the heart. Surgeons have successfully performed quintuple bypasses, addressing up to five blockages in a single operation.

Over the years, numerous celebrities have undergone heart bypass surgery. One notable figure has even experienced this procedure not just once, but twice.

5: Larry King

Larry King is widely recognized for his enduring cable interview program, "Larry King Live." The veteran broadcaster has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1950s. Starting as a Miami disc jockey, King expanded to national broadcasts in 1978. His show, "Larry King Live," debuted in 1985 and became the first global call-in talk show on TV. Over his 50-year career, King has completed over 40,000 interviews.

King's father passed away at just 44 years old due to heart disease, significantly increasing King's own risk for the condition. He was also a chain smoker, avoided exercise, and maintained an unhealthy diet. At 54, in 1987, King experienced a severe heart attack, leading to quintuple bypass surgery. This life-changing event inspired him to overhaul his lifestyle and assist others battling heart disease. He authored two books: "Mr. King, You're having a Heart Attack," detailing his personal journey, and "Taking on Heart Disease," highlighting other celebrities' experiences. Additionally, King established the Larry King Heart Foundation to fund cardiac surgeries for those in need.

Despite adopting healthier habits, King, at 76, faced pain in early 2010 caused by blocked arteries. This time, he underwent surgery to insert stents into his coronary arteries, which help compress plaque and improve blood flow.

4: Rue McClanahan

While many believe breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women, heart disease holds that unfortunate title. Actress Rue McClanahan faced both illnesses during her lifetime. McClanahan started her career in off-Broadway productions in 1957 and made her Broadway debut in 1969. She later transitioned to soap operas but is most famous for her roles as Vivian Harmon on "Maude" and Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls." McClanahan continued acting in films, TV shows, and theater, alongside her passionate advocacy for animal rights.

In 1997, McClanahan was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy, had nine lymph nodes removed, and endured five months of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation. After recovering, she became a vocal advocate, speaking at events and sharing her journey with breast cancer.

Twelve years later, while preparing for a gala in her honor, McClanahan was hospitalized, leading to the event's cancellation. She humorously referred to her situation as "maintenance on the old ticker," which involved heart bypass surgery. Tragically, she suffered a stroke post-surgery, requiring ICU care. Surgeons removed a blood clot, but the stroke affected her speech and right-side mobility due to brain damage. Despite initial recovery progress, McClanahan passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage on June 3, 2010, at the age of 76.

3: David Letterman

David Letterman has been a staple of late-night television for almost three decades. After graduating college, he worked as a radio talk show host and weatherman in Indianapolis. In 1975, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he wrote jokes for comedians and performed stand-up. Letterman also appeared on various TV and game shows. By the late 1970s, he became a frequent guest host on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." In 1982, he launched his own show, "Late Night with David Letterman," on NBC, later moving to CBS in 1993 with "The Late Show with David Letterman."

At 51, an angiogram revealed that Letterman had coronary artery disease, prompting him to start medication. He maintained an exercise regimen and a low-fat diet. However, in January 2000, another angiogram indicated severe artery constriction, leading to immediate quintuple heart bypass surgery. After a five-week recovery, Letterman resumed hosting, welcoming his surgical team as his first guests.

In 2009, Letterman played a key role in opening the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute in New York City. Through his foundation, the American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming, he supported heart-related charities, including the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. In 2010, he marked the anniversary of his bypass surgery by inviting his surgeon, Dr. O. Wayne Isom, onto his show.

2: Burt Reynolds

With nearly 100 films and over 300 TV shows to his name, Burt Reynolds initially didn't consider acting as a career. In the 1950s, he performed in summer stock and off-Broadway plays. After studying acting in New York, he guest-starred on series like "River Boat" and "Gunsmoke" and acted in spaghetti westerns abroad. His breakthrough came with the 1972 film "Deliverance." Reynolds is also famous for his roles as Bandit in the "Smokey and the Bandit" series and Wood Newton on "Evening Shade." After a career slowdown, he made a comeback with the 1997 film "Boogie Nights."

In 2009, 74-year-old Reynolds made headlines for entering rehab due to addiction to painkillers prescribed after back surgery. He has also acknowledged past drug use. In early 2010, he experienced chest pains at home. His doctor warned that surgery was essential to save his life, leading to a quintuple bypass. According to his manager, Reynolds described himself as having "a great motor with brand new pipes" and feeling "great." He was set to guest-star on "Burn Notice" in summer 2010.

1: Regis Philbin

Regis Philbin shares a title with James Brown: both are known as the hardest-working men in show business. Philbin holds the Guinness World Record for Most Hours on Camera, with 16,343 hours logged as of September 17, 2009. Starting his broadcasting career in the late 1950s, Philbin gained national recognition as the sidekick on "The Joey Bishop Show" in 1967. His breakthrough came in 1983 when he co-hosted "The Morning Show" in New York City, which later became "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (now "Live with Regis and Kelly"). Philbin has also hosted game shows like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and made numerous TV guest appearances.

At 62, in 1993, Philbin underwent an angioplasty to address a narrowed artery in his heart. This procedure involves threading a catheter through the vessel and inflating it to compress plaque against the artery walls. On March 12, 2007, during an episode of "Live with Regis and Kelly," Philbin emotionally revealed he had been experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath for two weeks. Doctors advised a triple bypass, and after a second opinion, he underwent the surgery. Philbin returned to the show about six weeks later.

Philbin has faced ongoing health challenges, including a hip replacement in 2009 that kept him off-air for four weeks. He has also spoken about dealing with sleep apnea and chronic back pain. On May 14, 2010, he had a blood clot removed from his calf.