Danny Glover reveals Alzheimer's diagnosis after years with it
Danny Glover, the Lethal Weapon star and four-time Emmy winner, has publicly revealed he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. The 79-year-old actor shared the diagnosis in a Today show interview that aired Wednesday, saying he wants to reduce stigma and speak for himself. Glover received the news not long after an honorary Oscar designation in 2022, according to reporting from the BBC.
Key Takeaways
- Glover, 79, disclosed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in an NBC Today show interview aired on 1 July 2026.
- He was diagnosed shortly after receiving an honorary Oscar designation in 2022.
- Though his speech, movement and memory have slowed, he says he remains active and supported by family.
- He and his daughter Mandisa hope speaking out will help change stigma around the disease.
- About 7 million Americans over 65 live with Alzheimer's, a form of dementia affecting memory and daily life.
Why is Danny Glover speaking out about Alzheimer's now?
In a pre-taped interview with former NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt on The Today Show, Glover said he and his family want to help change the stigma around Alzheimer's disease by speaking openly about his condition.
His daughter Mandisa told the programme it was important for him to control his own narrative. "What better time but now for him to speak for himself?" she said. She added that people sometimes ask questions, and she did not want to be dishonest by pretending everything was fine.
Glover also discussed his diagnosis with People magazine, telling the publication he was "still not accepting in my mind all parts of it." He added: "I don't feel like it's the end of my life. There's work to do. Your life continues."
How has Alzheimer's disease affected Danny Glover?
Glover told NBC that while his movements, speech and memories have slowed since his diagnosis, he still remains active. "I can live with it in a sense," he said. "I'm sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing."
In People, he reflected on the uneven nature of the illness. "There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget," he said. The support of his family, who he said "have got my back," has helped him cope.
What is Danny Glover best known for in Hollywood?
Glover rose to fame in the 1980s as Detective Roger Murtaugh alongside Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon films. He is also widely recognised for roles in The Color Purple and Places in the Heart, with more than 170 acting credits across a career that began in his early 20s.
His film acting debut came in Escape From Alcatraz in 1979, and he later appeared in titles including Predator 2. Beyond acting, he launched a production company to develop politically relevant films and served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF.
How common is Alzheimer's disease in the United States?
Glover is one of roughly 7 million people in the US over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. Symptoms tend to become more severe and can interfere with daily tasks.
Reporting notes that older Black Americans such as Glover are twice as likely as older white Americans to develop Alzheimer's or another dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association, though research has not yet identified the cause of that discrepancy. For more updates on stars sharing personal health news, see our celebrity breaking news coverage.