Actor Danny Glover revealed on Wednesday that he has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years. The 79-year-old star, known for his roles in Lethal Weapon and The Color Purple, shared his diagnosis in an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on the Today show. Glover said the neurodegenerative disease has affected his movement, speech, and memory, but he remains optimistic about managing it with family support.
'I can live with it, in a sense,' Glover said. 'I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing.' His family, including his daughter Mandisa, appeared alongside him in the interview, emphasizing the importance of sharing his story to reduce stigma around the disease.
Glover received an honorary Academy Award in 2022 for his humanitarian work, shortly before his diagnosis. He has appeared in over 200 film and television projects throughout his career, including Predator 2 and Dreamgirls.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, with more than 7 million Americans over 65 currently living with it. Research indicates that Black men are twice as likely to develop the disease compared to the national average, though the disparity is not primarily genetic but linked to treatable conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Glover’s decision to go public with his diagnosis comes as part of a broader effort to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about the disease. His family described the move as a way for him to 'have ownership of his life' and share his journey on his own terms.