Hollywood pulls plot lines from real life to give stories an air of authenticity. Multiple sclerosis is a fact of life for millions of people, so it's not surprising that it makes an appearance in TV and movies. From comedies to biopics, characters with MS bring the reality of the condition to the screen and give audiences a perspective on the illness.
President Bartlett on The West Wing
One of the most famous tv shows to feature MS as a storyline was the political drama The West Wing. President Jed Bartlett, played by Martin Sheen, had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis that left him symptom-free most of the time. As a result, the fictional leader of the free world was able to keep his condition a secret from the public for years despite the questionable ethics of not revealing his health status while he was running for office.
Jacqueline Du Pré in Hilary and Jackie
Jacqueline Du Pré was a real person. She was one of the most famous classical musicians of the 1960s. Her career was cut short, though, when symptoms of MS made it impossible for her to play the cello any longer. She was completely paralyzed due to MS when she passed away in 1987. Hilary and Jackie is a dramatization of her life story, including her turbulent relationship with her sister and fellow musician Hilary Du Pré.
Gordon Townsend in Trainwreck
Writer and star Amy Schumer based the character of Gordon Townsend in Trainwreck on her own father. Like her real-life dad, the fictional father in Trainwreck lives in an assisted living facility due to MS-related disability. Schumer says her actual father gave her a great sense of humor and has been supportive of her career. She has been an advocate for MS research and has raised money for MS support.
