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9-1-1: Nashville star Isabelle Tate’s death is bringing attention to a rare disease.
On Thursday, October 23, news broke that the actress had died at the age of 23. Her agency confirmed the news via social media.
“Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease,” McCray Agency shared via its Instagram Story on Thursday. “She passed away peacefully on the 19th of October. The family requests privacy as they deal with this sudden and shocking loss. Izzy recently returned to acting and booked episode 1 of 9-1-1 Nashville, which filmed in June and first aired October 6th.”
In addition to acting, Tate had a love for volunteering, particularly with animals.
“Her idea of a fun outing was visiting an animal shelter and doling out lots of love,” her obituary stated. “What she loved the most, though, was spending time with family and friends, always the life of the party.”
As family and friends mourn the loss of Tate, keep reading to learn more about Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, which country legend Alan Jackson also suffers from.
What Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?
When confirming Tate’s cause of death, McCray Agency directed fans to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. The nonprofit describes Charcot-Marie-Tooth as a “rare multisystem, multiorgan disease that causes lifelong, progressive symptoms, including muscle weakness and atrophy in the arms and legs, sensory loss and other complications. These symptoms often lead to challenges with balance, walking, hand use and other daily activities.”
Diagnosing CMT can be complex due to its overlap with other diseases. The process typically includes a thorough clinical evaluation, nerve conduction studies and even genetic testing.
What Is the Cause of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, gene changes that affect the nerves in the feet, legs, hands and arms can cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
These gene changes often pass down through families. New gene changes, however, can happen when there’s no family history of changed genes.
Can You Prevent Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease?
Because Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a hereditary disease, the Mayo Clinic states there’s no way to prevent it. If one has the condition, genetic testing may help with family planning.
What Has Isabelle Tate Said About the Disease?
In December 2022, Tate opened up about her illness in a candid social media post.
“When I was 13, I got diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease that weakens my leg muscles over time,” she recalled via Instagram. “I’ve come to terms that if I want to live my life to the fullest, I need to use a wheelchair at times.”
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She continued, “I can’t change it, so I’m choosing to embrace it and not let it define me. This has really changed my perspective on life, and if I’ve learned anything from this, it’s to appreciate the little things that are easily taken for granted.”
What Has Alan Jackson Said About the Disease?
The country singer first revealed his diagnosis on the Today show in 2021. While he continued performing for many years, he announced his retirement from touring in May 2025. (He has one final show scheduled for 2026 in Nashville.)
“I have this neuropathy and neurological disease,” Jackson explained to Jenna Bush Hager in 2021. “It’s genetic that I inherited from my daddy. … There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years. And it’s getting more and more obvious. And I know I’m stumbling around on stage. And now I’m having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable.”
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