Backed by family, Danny Glover steps into the spotlight to break Alzheimer’s stigmas.
Image: Instagram.
In a courageous and deeply personal announcement, Hollywood icon Danny Glover has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 79-year-old "Lethal Weapon" and "The Color Purple" star opened up about his health during an emotional interview with Lester Holt on the "Today" show.
Glover shared that he was diagnosed in 2022, just after receiving an honorary Oscar for his lifelong humanitarian work.
On the career front, Glover has accumulated over 200 acting credits across movies and television, including starring in over 100 feature films and over 70 television shows.
He has been one of the most prolific and hardworking faces in Hollywood since his screen debut in 1979.
As he approaches his 80th birthday on July 22, Glover and his family are choosing to step into the spotlight to combat the stigma surrounding his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“I don’t feel like it’s the end of my life,” Glover shared.
"I can live with it, in a sense ... I’m sure as it advances, things gonna be different and changing. There’s work to do ... I want to just say, your life continues."
For many, Alzheimer's is a word we hear often, but what does it actually mean for a person's health?
Put simply, Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It isn't a normal part of ageing, though it primarily affects adults over 65.
Inside the brain, complex protein buildups gradually disrupt and damage nerve cells. Because our brain cells control everything we do, this damage slowly changes a person's day-to-day life.
The most recognisable early symptom is short-term memory loss, like forgetting recent conversations or where you put your keys.
Over time, the condition impacts more than just memory. It can cause a gradual slowing of speech, physical movements and thinking.
In later stages, it becomes harder to manage daily routines or engage in casual conversations.
While there is currently no cure, modern medicine offers treatments that can help manage symptoms, while lifestyle habits like physical activity, quality sleep and staying socially connected can greatly improve a person's quality of life.
By going public, Glover aims to shine a light on how the disease disproportionately impacts the Black community, where older adults are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's compared to white Americans.
Supported by his daughter, Mandisa Glover, and the Alzheimer's Association, Glover is continuing his legacy of activism, proving that a diagnosis doesn't mean a life stops. He still attends community events in his hometown, San Francisco, choosing to live with purpose and joy.
"I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story. That’s really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself," says Mandisa.