Dan Rowan got deeply personal about his health issues while on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

While Dan Rowan was known as the funny guy from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, he also had a serious side. For all the jokes he told onstage, Rowan had to save his seriousness for a health issue he managed offscreen.

Fans may not have known it from the way he and his comedy partner, Dick Martin, acted onstage, but one of the biggest challenges Rowan faced was managing his diabetes. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in his 40s, which made him insulin dependent.

According to a 1971 interview with The Palm Beach Post, Rowan didn’t keep his diagnosis quiet. In fact, he thought it was important to talk about it because he believed the public deserved to know the risks.

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"I publicize the fact I’m a diabetic to give hope to other people, especially youngsters 10 to 12 years old, who might give up," Rowan said.

What really concerned Rowan was that many people were living with diabetes without even knowing it. He hoped that by sharing his experience, he could encourage others to get checked and take it seriously. 

Getting diagnosed with any illness can be scary. Like the comedian he was, Rowan chose to look on the brighter side of things, but that didn’t mean being diabetic was easy for him. He had to follow a strict diet, which was difficult for a successful actor constantly on the go.

"Being a diabetic need not be a frightening experience," Rowan said. "There are several ways of controlling it, from taking insulin to proper diet and exercise."

"The problems I have in the area of food are resolved, thanks to my wife, who has become quite a nutritionist in her own right," Rowan continued.

According to a 1969 interview with the Chicago Tribune, his then-wife, Adriana Van Ballegooyen, was instrumental in helping him change his lifestyle. She supported him not only at home but also on the Laugh-In set, where she worked as the show’s caterer.

"Our favorite caterer is my wife, Adriana," Rowan said. "For late suppers she makes hearty salads, assortments of cold cuts, and some delicious baked goods."

Adriana had a long list of recipes for main dishes, salads, and desserts. Some of their favorite meals included split pea soup, casseroles, salads with homemade dressings, and meatball soups. With his wife’s help, Rowan was able to live the life he wanted — full of humor and hope.