Celebrity with Insomnia & Other Common Sleep Struggles

We see celebrities on screen and in magazines, living what looks like a dream. But behind the red carpets and sold-out shows, they’re a lot more like us — especially when sleep refuses to cooperate. If you’ve ever found yourself wide awake with a busy mind, no matter how tired you feel, you’re in familiar company.

Plenty of well-known stars deal with the same nighttime frustrations. Between high-pressure careers, constant travel, and the challenge of simply shutting their brains off, quality sleep can slip away from them too. Your late-night struggles aren’t unusual — even the people who seem to “have it all” know exactly what that feels like.

Here’s a closer look at how ten familiar names wrestle with the very real challenge of getting a good night’s rest.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is more than dragging through the day yawning. It affects how your brain works, how you handle stress, and even how you show up for the people around you. When you’re low on sleep, thinking clearly becomes a struggle. Tasks that normally feel simple — remembering details, focusing on conversations, or making decisions — suddenly take twice the effort. It’s like trying to get through a packed day with a foggy filter over everything.

And it doesn’t stop at mental fatigue. Missing out on regular, restful sleep can chip away at your mood, too. Ongoing lack of sleep is closely tied to anxiety and depression because our emotional balance depends on consistent rest. Once you get caught in that cycle — poor sleep leading to low mood, and low mood making sleep harder — it can feel tough to break out of.

Sleep plays a big role in how we function day to day. It’s not just about feeling rested in the morning; it’s about protecting your mental and emotional well-being.

And celebrities aren’t immune to any of this. Even with all the glam and attention, many deal with the same exhaustion, stress, and sleepless nights that so many of us face. They get overwhelmed. They get burnt out. And they feel the weight of insomnia just like anyone else.

Celebrities with Insomnia

It’s easy to forget that celebrities are people, too, and like so many of us, they can experience the frustrating and exhausting reality of insomnia. Many of them often feel tired, overwhelmed, and emotionally fatigued due to sleeplessness.

Madonna

Madonna has been candid about her long fight with insomnia, something she’s dealt with for decades. For someone known for powering through nonstop eras — from Like a Virgin to Vogue to Hung Up — the nights can tell a very different story. While fans see the energy, the choreography, and the larger-than-life persona on stage, she often faces sleepless nights that leave her drained and frustrated.

During her Celebration Tour, the long travel days, constant rehearsals, and intense performances only made her lack of sleep harder to manage. It’s no surprise that even someone who’s built a career on reinvention and endurance can hit a wall when rest doesn’t come easily.

Madonna has described her relationship with sleep as “tumultuous,” often tying its instability to the emotional weight of losing her mother at a young age. It’s a rare glimpse into the personal side of a superstar who has shaped pop culture for over 40 years. Behind the hits and the history-making shows is someone who struggles with sleep just like many of us.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler — the comedic force behind Parks and Recreation and countless unforgettable SNL sketches — has opened up about dealing with sleep apnea. It’s a reminder that even people who seem endlessly energetic can struggle with sleep in ways we don’t always see. Her honesty helps highlight how common sleep apnea really is and why getting proper treatment matters for long-term health and well-being.

George Clooney

George Clooney has been open about his ongoing battle with insomnia, a struggle that became even more challenging after the birth of his twins. He’s talked about waking up several times a night, fighting to fall asleep and stay asleep while juggling the nonstop demands of parenting. Even for someone who once starred on ER and went on to lead films like Ocean’s Eleven, Up in the Air, and Syriana — all projects that involved intense schedules and filming across different time zones — sleep has never been simple.

Clooney has also mentioned that turning his mind off at night can be tough, especially with the responsibilities of fatherhood always in the background. His experience is a relatable reminder that big life changes can throw off your sleep and that finding ways to manage those shifts can make a real difference.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey has dealt with insomnia for years, especially after performing. The rush from singing hits like Hero, We Belong Together, and Emotions can leave her wide awake long after the crowd goes home. Add in the heavy travel from her major tours — jumping from one city to the next with barely any breaks — and winding down becomes even harder.

Her sleep challenges are also tied to her bipolar disorder, which she has spoken about openly. The mix of emotional highs, demanding schedules, and late-night performances can make rest feel almost impossible at times.

Mariah has shared how these sleepless periods affect her mood and energy throughout the day. Her honesty is a powerful reminder that sleep and mental health are tightly connected — and taking care of one can make a big difference in the other.

William Shatner

William Shatner — beloved as Captain Kirk from Star Trek and familiar from shows like Rescue 911 and Better Late Than Never — has also become a leading voice for sleep apnea awareness. After being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), he began using CPAP therapy and has talked openly about how much it improved his sleep and overall energy.

His journey didn’t stop there. Shatner has partnered with sleep-health organizations to encourage people to get tested, follow their treatment plans, and keep their CPAP equipment clean. It’s a simple message, but an important one: consistency can completely change how you feel day to day.

And for someone who became the oldest person to reach space at age 90, he’s proof that taking care of your health — including your sleep — can help you keep doing extraordinary things well into later life.

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel, the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and one of late-night TV’s most familiar faces, has been open about living with narcolepsy. This neurological disorder affects the brain’s ability to manage sleep and wake cycles, and he’s talked about experiencing sudden bouts of overwhelming sleepiness — a classic symptom of the condition.

Even though Kimmel often brings humor into the conversation (as comedians do), he’s clear that narcolepsy is a real medical issue that deserves attention. His openness helps people understand that narcolepsy isn’t about being “extra tired”; it’s about the brain struggling to regulate when to be awake and when to rest.

Renée Zellweger

with her share of sleep struggles. She’s talked about experiencing insomnia and irregular sleep patterns, much of which stem from the demanding travel required to promote her films.

Jumping between time zones, adjusting to new routines every few days, and living out of hotels can throw off anyone’s internal clock. Her experience is relatable for anyone who travels often — jet lag and constantly changing schedules can make it tough for your body to settle into a healthy sleep rhythm.

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall, best known for bringing the unforgettable Samantha Jones to life in Sex and the City, has spoken openly about her intense battle with insomnia. This wasn’t just a few rough nights — she described her sleep issues as so overwhelming that they affected her memory, focus, and ability to perform at her best.

Her insomnia became so severe that she eventually had to step away from a theatrical production, showing just how deeply sleep deprivation can affect even the most seasoned professionals.

By sharing her story, Cattrall shines a light on how serious untreated sleep problems can be. It’s a reminder that insomnia is more than feeling tired — and that reaching out for support can make a meaningful difference.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston — beloved for her role as Rachel Green on Friends and known for films like Marley & Me, The Break-Up, and Horrible Bosses — has been open about her struggles with getting consistent, restful sleep. Even with her red carpet appearances and busy schedule, she’s talked about dealing with racing thoughts that keep her awake long after she wants to wind down.

Over time, she’s found that simple habits like meditation, yoga, and cutting back on screen time before bed make a noticeable difference. Her honest and proactive approach shows how small shifts in daily routines can support healthier sleep.

Research backs this up, too. A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that yoga practice can significantly enhance mood and reduce anxiety levels. [1]

Aniston’s experience is a reassuring reminder that even small self-care habits can help create a calmer, more sleep-friendly routine.

Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins — the powerhouse behind Awaken the Giant Within, countless motivational seminars, and high-energy events around the world — has also dealt with sleep apnea. For someone known for his booming voice, marathon stage sessions, and constant travel to conferences and speaking engagements, confronting a sleep disorder was a humbling and eye-opening experience.

He’s talked openly about how sleep apnea affected his performance and overall well-being, reminding us that even people who seem unstoppable face real challenges when sleep isn’t functioning the way it should.

Robbins’ experience highlights an important truth: no matter how driven or successful you are, it’s hard to operate at your best without consistent, healthy sleep. Prioritizing sleep isn’t just self-care — it’s a foundation for feeling sharp, energized, and fully present in both work and everyday life.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate — known for her roles in Married… with Children, Anchorman, and Dead to Me — has spoken openly about her decades-long struggle with insomnia. For more than 20 years, she’s dealt with nights of disrupted sleep and the ongoing challenge of figuring out what triggers her symptoms.

Through trial, error, and a lot of self-awareness, she’s learned how certain habits, stress levels, and daily routines can either help or hurt her sleep. Her experience is a reminder that managing insomnia often starts with understanding your own patterns and being willing to make small changes that support better rest.

Her honesty encourages others to take their sleep health seriously and look for solutions tailored to their own needs.

Rihanna

Rihanna — global superstar, beauty mogul, and the voice behind hits like Umbrella, Diamonds, and Work — has shared that she struggles with getting truly restful sleep. She’s talked about how tough it can be to wind down at night, especially when late-night TV binges and scrolling sessions cut into the hours she should be sleeping.

Her honesty shines a light on a familiar modern problem: screens make it incredibly easy to stay awake long past bedtime. What feels like a harmless habit can quickly turn into shortened sleep and sluggish mornings.

Rihanna’s openness resonates with so many people who face the same challenge of disconnecting and creating a calm bedtime routine. Her experience shows that even small changes — like easing up on screen time or having a more relaxing wind-down ritual — can make a big difference in how rested and balanced you feel.

Lady Gaga

She's known for Born This Way, Shallow, Poker Face, and her high-energy, globe-spanning tours — has shared that her demanding schedule and nonstop travel often leave her running on very little sleep. She’s talked about having an “overactive mind,” which makes it hard for her to relax at night, even after long days of performing, rehearsals, and creative work.

An overactive mind is something many people deal with, and it can make falling asleep feel impossible. Harvard Health Publishing even offers tools and strategies to help quiet racing thoughts and find a sense of calm before bed.

Gaga’s openness about her sleep struggles highlights what many people with high-pressure jobs experience: when your brain doesn’t slow down, your sleep suffers. Her honesty is a helpful reminder that even the most accomplished and creative individuals face real challenges with rest — and it’s okay to look for support and healthier habits to manage them.

Shaquille O'Neal

Long before he became an analyst and larger-than-life personality, Shaquille O’Neal spent years on the road as an NBA star — flying from city to city, playing back-to-back games, and dealing with the exhausting travel schedule that comes with professional basketball. Somewhere in the middle of that nonstop pace, he also found himself struggling with sleep apnea, a condition he has openly discussed.

In 2015, Shaq partnered with Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine to help raise awareness about sleep apnea through an educational video. His willingness to speak up has helped many people understand that sleep disorders don’t discriminate — they affect everyday people, elite athletes, and celebrities alike.

His advocacy sends an important message: getting evaluated and treated for sleep disorders can make a major difference in your health, energy, and overall quality of life. If you want to learn more about how these conditions work, our blog breaks down the most common types of sleep disorders in a simple, easy-to-follow way.

How to Sleep Better

Achieving better sleep involves creating a consistent and calming routine. Start by establishing a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Create a relaxing bedtime environment by ensuring your room is dark, quiet, and cool. Avoid screens at least an hour before bed, and consider incorporating calming activities like reading or taking a warm bath.

Ready to improve your sleep? Dive into our blog for actionable tips to start sleeping better tonight.

Final Thought

Ultimately, the sleep struggles of these celebrities remind us that beneath the glamour and fame, we're all human. Whether you're a movie star or simply someone seeking a better night's rest, the quest for quality sleep is a universal journey. So, if you find yourself tossing and turning, remember you're not alone – even the stars have their sleepless nights. And perhaps, like them, finding the right solutions can make all the difference.