Celebrities
Simon Pegg is opening up about receiving an ADHD diagnosis at age 56. The actor said the news helped him reconsider behaviors he once viewed as personal shortcomings. He also described the emotional relief of finally understanding himself differently.
Simon Pegg says his ADHD diagnosis helped him reconsider struggles he once blamed on character flaws
Pegg revealed his diagnosis during an October 8 appearance on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast. The Mission: Impossible star said he received the diagnosis less than two weeks earlier. He explained that the news confirmed suspicions he had carried for years.
“It’s a relief that it’s not a fault,” Pegg said. He explained that the diagnosis clarified struggles he had attributed to “character faults.” Although he expected positive answers, the confirmation still affected him emotionally.
Pegg initially misunderstood how ADHD could present itself in childhood. He associated it with children who were disruptive or struggled to pay attention in school. Because he was not a particularly naughty child, he did not recognize the possibility earlier.
However, the actor began reconsidering his childhood experiences after learning more about ADHD. “But there were things I did do as a kid — fidget or whatever — that made me think, ‘Maybe I’ve had this longer than I thought’,” he explained. He also remembered feeling different without understanding why.
His wife, Leighton Meester, had reportedly encouraged him to explore the possibility. Pegg said he eventually realized he needed to find out. “There had been so many tells,” he recalled.
The diagnosis also prompted Pegg to reconsider his struggles with impulse control. He previously lost his driving license for six months because of speeding. His doctor reportedly connected the behaviour with difficulty controlling impulses and moving quickly between tasks.
The actor has also spoken publicly about his past struggles with depression and alcohol. Pegg and longtime collaborator Nick Frost, who also has ADHD, regularly check in on each other.
Pegg described his diagnosis as “a real sort of mishmash of emotions.” Ultimately, he felt relieved to understand himself with greater clarity. His account highlights why seeking answers can change how people interpret longstanding difficulties.