Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover reveals heartbreaking Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Actor Danny Glover has confirmed that he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Revealing the news during an interview with TODAY, the Hollywood legend - who's appeared in films such as Lethal Weapon, Predator 2 and The Colour Purple - said that he'd been living with the neurodegenerative disease for a number of years, after being diagnosed in 2022.
Currently affecting around 982,000 Brits, according to Alzheimer’s Society statistics, Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia which damages a person's brain, impacting memory, thinking skills, speech and the ability to carry out basic bodily functions.
"Things are going to be different."
Speaking about the impact of his diagnosis, Glover said: "I'm sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing."
"I can live with it in a sense," he added.
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Glover's daughter Mandisa also appeared alongside her father in the interview, with the 79-year-old actor deciding to speak out in order to raise awareness about the disease and its prognosis.
"I think it's really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story," Mandisa explained.
"That's really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself?"
"They've got my back," Glover said of his family."
Best known for his work in the Lethal Weapon franchise, Glover has been active in the entertainment industry for over four decades.
Outside of acting, Glover has been a keen activist, raising awareness for various political, social and civil rights causes.
In 2005, he co-founded Louverture Films, a production company which sought to make socially conscious films and amplify voices in underrepresented communities.
In 2021, he was honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his lifelong activism work.
Despite his diagnosis, Glover wishes to remain active in his community. "We have challenges in the world," he said. "I think art becomes a reframe, a way of looking at that, you know?
"Justice is our collective responsibility,” he added. "One thing I learned from my parents most of my life is the capacity of people to change through their own. They become the architect of their change."
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s Society notes that while the disease can progress differently in people, it often starts in and around the brain.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's include:
- memory problems
- thinking and reasoning difficulties
- language problems
- changes to how they see and hear things
- changes in mood
Responding to Glover's diagnosis, Michelle Dyson, CEO of the Alzheimer's Society, praised the actor for speaking out, saying that in doing so, he raised 'much-needed awareness' about the condition.
"Our thoughts are with Danny Glover following his announcement that he is living with Alzheimer’s disease," she told LADbible.
"Sharing such personal news publicly raises much-needed awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, and we are extremely grateful to Danny for speaking openly about his diagnosis," Dyson continued.
"Receiving a diagnosis can be frightening, but we believe it’s better to know. Alzheimer’s Society is here to offer our support to everyone affected by dementia, through our website alzheimers.org.uk and dementia support line on 0333 150 3456."
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film
Brenna Cooper