“Things are going to be different and changing,” said Danny Glover when he revealed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He and his daughter, Mandisa, appeared on the “Today” show.
Danny Glover, the 79-year-old “Lethal Weapon” star, revealed on the “Today” show that he’s been battling Alzheimer’s disease for a few years.
“I can live with it, in a sense. I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing,” Glover said during an interview with Lester Holt.
Glover was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2022, not long after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Holt said. The acclaimed actor rose to fame in the ’80s for starring as Roger Murtaugh in the “Lethal Weapon” films, and he also had major roles in “Places in the Heart,” “The Color Purple,” “Predator 2,” “Witness,” “To Sleep With Anger,” “Angels in the Outfield,” “Saw,” “Dreamgirls” and many more. His last acting credit was playing Santa Claus in the 2023 TV movie “The Naughty Nine” and the 2022 indie films “American Dreamer” and “Press Play.”
“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?” Glover’s daughter, Mandisa, said. “It’s important because people ask questions sometimes, and I don’t want to be a dishonest person and say, ‘Oh, yeah, everything is all right. It’s all great.’“
Glover was nominated for four Primetime Emmys throughout his career, plus a Daytime Emmy for directing. He won the Independent Spirit Award in 1991 for best male lead in “To Sleep With Anger,” plus he received two Actors Awards nods and four Grammy nominations.
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel isolating, but Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are not uncommon, even among celebrities, politicians, and other well-known figures, including Tony Bennett, Ronald Reagan, and Bruce Willis. The Alzheimer’s Association offers information on support groups for families and patients.
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FEATURE IMAGE CAPTION, TOP: WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Danny Glover and Danielle Deadwyler attend Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson” Los Angeles Tastemaker Screening at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on November 16, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. CREDIT: Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix
