3. Robert De Niro
Not even prostate cancer could slow down Academy Award winner Robert De Niro. Known for “tough guy” roles in films including Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, the actor proved he had mettle offscreen, too, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 at age 60. Fortunately for him — and his family, friends, and fans — “the condition was detected at an early stage because of regular checkups, a result of his proactive personal healthcare program,” his publicist said in a statement.
Few details were released about the star’s treatment, but he went on to make a full recovery and, in 2011 at age 68, became a father for the sixth time to daughter Helen Grace Hightower, who was born via surrogate to him and his wife, Grace Hightower.