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While Porky Pig might have been an amusing starting point, Joe Biden’s recent candid revelation during the Democratic National Convention made it more fitting to begin the list with him. Stuttering is far more intricate than the repetitive sounds often linked to cartoon characters. Whether you face prolonged pauses before speaking, known as blocks, or stretch out sounds like 'mmmmmilk,' you might identify as someone who stutters or stammers. However, as this list demonstrates (and there are many other notable stutterers), a speech challenge doesn’t hinder success. (Fun fact: I also stuttered as a child!)
1. Joe Biden
In 2004, Biden was a keynote speaker at a National Stuttering Association event. He struggled with stuttering as a child and faced ridicule from his Catholic school teacher, who mockingly called him B-B-B-Biden in front of the class. When Biden shared this with his mother, she confronted the teacher and demanded accountability. Over time, Biden honed his speech by practicing in front of a mirror and, during law school, collaborated with a fellow stutterer to improve their communication skills.
2. Moses
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While it’s impossible to confirm whether Moses stuttered, biblical passages suggest he may have struggled with speech. Here are some verses that hint at his potential difficulty:
Exodus 4:12 "¦I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue"¦ Exodus 4:14-15 And the anger of the Lord burned against Moses and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite they brother? I know that he can speak well"¦ thou shalt speak to him, and put the words in his mouth"¦
Continue reading to learn about Winston Churchill, James Earl Jones, and Marilyn Monroe...
3. Isaac Newton
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While Sir Isaac Newton is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in gravity and mechanics, fewer know about his role as a Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge in 1689 and 1701. Newton, who struggled with a speech impediment, was so concerned about his stammer that he requested the windows of Parliament be shut to prevent outsiders from hearing him speak.
4. Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is widely recognized for his Alice in Wonderland tales. However, fewer are aware that he aspired to become a priest, following in his clergyman father’s footsteps. His stutter, however, posed a significant challenge, particularly during sermons. Beyond his famous works, Carroll also wrote a lesser-known poem that subtly references his speech difficulties.
Learn well your grammar,And never stammer,Write well and neatly,And sing soft sweetly,Drink tea, not coffee;Never eat toffy.Eat bread with butter.Once more don't stutter.
5. Claudius
Claudius Nero Germanicus, the Roman Emperor from 41 to 54 A.C.E., is often remembered for the infamous tale of his wife Agrippina poisoning him with mushrooms to pave the way for Nero’s rise. However, fewer are aware that Claudius also struggled with a stutter. Additionally, he was known for his limp, drooling, and nervous tics. In Robert Graves’ historical novel I, Claudius, Claudius reflects on his speech challenges:
"I stammered badly as a child and though, by following the advice of specialists in elocution, I gradually learned to control my speech on set public occasions, yet on private and unpremeditated ones, I am still, though less so than formerly, liable every now and then to trip nervously over my tongue"¦"
6. Marilyn Monroe
Several publications on stuttering, such as Benson Bobrick's Knotted Tongues, propose that Marilyn Monroe’s iconic breathy and sensual voice was a technique to manage her stammer. Reportedly, a speech coach advised her to use exaggerated mouth movements to control her mild stutter effectively.
7. Winston Churchill
There is considerable debate over whether Churchill had a lisp, a stutter, or both. Regardless, he was highly conscious of his speech and worked tirelessly to improve it. He meticulously rehearsed his speeches and avoided words starting or ending with the letter 'S' whenever possible. Interestingly, he reportedly pronounced 'Nazis' as 'Nahsies' or 'Narzees.'
8. James Earl Jones
Some actors who stutter can control their speech impediment while performing but struggle in casual conversations—a phenomenon known as situational fluency, similar to what Claudius experienced. James Earl Jones, renowned for his iconic voice, is one such actor. In the film A Family Thing, his authentic stutter added depth to his character. The director, Dick Pearce, noticed Jones’s natural stammer during a reading and encouraged him to incorporate it into his performance, enhancing the character’s vulnerability.
