Celebs look flawless on billboards, but up close, they’re just people with quirks, oddities, and sometimes fascinating genetic peculiarities. Some of these traits are so subtle you’d never clock them unless you paused, zoomed, and squinted. Others are front-and-center and proudly embraced. Either way, they’re cool reminders that “perfect” faces and bodies are way more interesting when they come with unique details.
From color-bending senses to webbed toes, here are nine stars whose DNA brought something a little different to the party.
Billie Eilish — Synesthesia
Billie doesn’t just make music; she sees it. The singer has synesthesia, a neurological trait where senses mingle—sounds can have colors, shapes, even textures. She’s talked about how days of the week, names, and songs all carry specific hues and vibes in her mind. It’s not a gimmick either. Her visuals, album art, and stage design often flow from how a track “looks” to her brain. It’s one of those things that you just can’t really grasp fully without experiencing it yourself.
Kate Bosworth — Heterochromia
Look closely and you’ll notice the Blue Crush star’s eyes don’t match—one is blue, the other has hazel in it. That’s textbook heterochromia, when the irises are different colors (sometimes fully, sometimes in sectors). Bosworth sometimes wears matching lenses for roles, but she’s also let the natural two-tone shine on screen, like in her role of Lois Lane as Superman Returns.
Gaten Matarazzo — Cleidocranial dysplasia
The Stranger Things favorite has cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic condition affecting bones and teeth, including underdeveloped or absent collarbones and delayed dental development. Gaten has been open about surgeries, dental work, and living with CCD. He even used his platform to raise awareness and funds. Stranger Things writers also wove parts of his experience into Dustin’s storyline, turning representation into character gold.
Catherine O’Hara — Situs inversus
Comedy legend Catherine O’Hara, known for playing Kevin’s mom in Home Alone, reportedly has situs inversus, a rare condition where the body’s major organs are mirrored. Her heart is on the right, liver on the left—the whole deal is reversed. For most people, it doesn’t affect daily life, though it can make medical imaging, let’s say, “interesting.” Is it uncommon? Yep. Is it kind of amazing? Hell yes! Moira Rose would approve of the drama.
Paul Stanley — Microtia (right ear)
KISS frontman Paul Stanley was born with level 3 microtia in his right ear, which means the outer ear didn’t fully develop, and the ear canal is absent, resulting in hearing loss on that side. He has openly discussed the challenges he faced as a child, yet it also served as a driving force for him to excel and overcome this minor genetic obstacle. Considering he spent decades commanding stadiums in face paint and platform boots, the term “overcoming” feels understated.
Ashton Kutcher — Syndactyly
Yes, the rumors are true: Ashton has partially webbed toes, a condition called syndactyly. During fetal development, some toes (or fingers) don’t fully separate. It’s harmless, a little uncommon, and, depending on your personality, could either be a fun party fact or a reason to keep socks on during beach trips. As for Ashton, he once showed them off on TV, because of course he did.
Kate Hudson — Polydactyly
Hollywood lore says Kate Hudson was born with an extra toe before having it removed as a baby. Polydactyly can appear in hands or feet and sometimes runs in families. Whether you file this under “confirmed history” or “celebrity rumors,” it’s a reminder that “ten and ten” isn’t universal and that tiny surgical footprints can be part of a star’s origin story.
Elizabeth Taylor — Distichiasis
Those famous lashes weren’t only mascara magic. Elizabeth Taylor had distichiasis, a condition where a second row of eyelashes grows along the eyelid. It can cause irritation for some, but on Liz, it created that lush, smoky frame around violet eyes the camera couldn’t resist. Add some mascara to that mix, and you’ve got yourself a killer combo.
Peter Dinklage — Achondroplasia
The Emmy-winning Game of Thrones star has achondroplasia, the most common cause of dwarfism. It affects bone growth, especially limbs, but not intelligence or talent, as is painfully obvious from every minute of every video Peter has been in. Dinklage has long advocated for respectful representation, choosing roles thoughtfully and calling out lazy tropes. He didn’t just play Tyrion Lannister; he redefined what a prestige-TV leading man could look like.
