Marilu Henner Has Hyperthymesia, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, Can Recall Every Day Of Her Life
Do you remember what happened on June 3rd, 1986? How about April 19th, 1994? If you’re Marilu Henner you do. The actress is one of 12 people in the world who has been diagnosed with hyperthymesia, which is also known as Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory. Basically, Henner can recall every single day of her life.
Henner, who is probably best known for playing Elaine Nardo in the hit TV show “Taxi,” can recall the exact moment when she got the part.
Henner said:
“It was June 4 of 1978. It was a Sunday and I found out at the ‘Grease’ premiere party. ‘Taxi’ is so vivid to my mind. The very first rehearsal was July the 5th of 1978. That was a Wednesday and our first show was shot the 14th, a Friday.”
Landing the role in “Taxi” is a pretty big event in Henner’s life, so it’s understandable that she remembers all the little details. But Henner can also remember small events and insignificant days. According to ABC, the actress’s first memory was when she was baptized.
“I just remember the water, and I remember the white. Whenever I go back into memory, I’m always in my body looking out.”
Henner likens her memory to a movie, saying that whenever she’s given a date or a year she sees “all these little movie montages, basically on a time continuum, and I’m scrolling through them and flashing through them.”
Since her time on “Taxi,” Henner has had parts in “Who’s The Boss?” “Cybil,” “ER,” “Numbers,” and “Unforgettable.” Henner said that she has been able to use her incredible super memory to enhance her acting. Henner said:
“Definitely being an actress, I learned how to embrace my memories and celebrate them and explore them without hesitation whatsoever.”
Henner.who is releasing a new book called “Total Memory Makeover” about hyperthymesia, said that her memory makes her feel that her life is significant. Henner said:
“It’s that defense against meaninglessness. I’m not just occupying time. There’s some significance to what I’m doing and how I’m living my life.”
Here’s a video about Marilu Henner from ABC.
