Acclaimed actor and humanitarian Danny Glover announced Wednesday that he has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years, publicly discussing his diagnosis for the first time in interviews with NBC’s ‘Today‘ show and People.
Glover, who celebrates his 80th birthday on July 22, said he received the diagnosis not long after being honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2022 Governors Awards. While acknowledging that the progressive disease has affected his speech, movement and memory, he expressed resilience regarding his daily life. “I can live with it, in a sense,” Glover told NBC’s Lester Holt, noting his realistic outlook on the future. “I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing.” He further emphasized his determination to maintain his personal relationships and daily activities, telling People, “I don’t feel like it’s the end of my life. There’s work to do. I still have my daughter, I have friends. I want to just say, your life continues.”
Glover’s family members, including his daughter Mandisa and his younger brother Martin, appeared alongside him during the broadcast taped at his residence to offer public support and dismantle public misconceptions surrounding dementia. Mandisa Glover said the family chose to speak publicly now because it was important for her father to tell his own story. She revealed they first noticed changes in his memory around 2022, which ultimately led to the diagnosis the following year. Glover credited his family with helping him navigate the disease, saying they “have got my back,” while continuing to stay active in his San Francisco community and pursue causes that have long defined his career.
A four-time Emmy Award nominee, Glover achieved global stardom portraying the easygoing police detective Roger Murtaugh opposite Mel Gibson in the blockbuster “Lethal Weapon” franchise. Throughout his career, he has appeared in more than 170 film and television projects. drawing widespread critical praise for his dramatic roles in “The Color Purple” and “Places in the Heart.” Beyond acting, he has built a decades-long reputation as a humanitarian and advocate for social justice, serving as a goodwill ambassador for both the United Nations Development Program and UNICEF, and supporting initiatives addressing poverty, disease and human rights. By sharing his diagnosis,
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease affects more than 6 million Americans, with Black Americans being diagnosed at roughly double the national average. Glover and his family are currently collaborating with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise public awareness regarding the critical importance of early cognitive detection.
Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com