Actor Danny Glover, 79, has announced he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Glover, known for his roles in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise and "The Color Purple," revealed his battle with the degenerative condition during an appearance on "The Today Show" on Wednesday.
Glover stated that he received the diagnosis "not long" after being awarded an honorary Oscar in 2022. He shared his perspective on the diagnosis, saying, "I can live with it in a sense. I’m sure as it advances, different things will be different and changing."
His daughter, Mandisa, also spoke during the pre-taped segment, emphasizing the importance of her father speaking for himself. "And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself? 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 also spoke with People magazine about his condition, with Mandisa noting that he is "aware sometimes and then sometimes not." The actor expressed that he is "still not accepting in my mind all parts of it," adding, "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."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins that lead to nerve cell death. This process disrupts communication between brain cells and causes the brain to shrink. In the U.S., it is the sixth leading cause of death, affecting more than 5 million people. The disease is characterized by a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. Early symptoms can include short-term memory loss, disorientation, behavioral changes, and mood swings. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience severe memory loss, difficulty recognizing loved ones, and aggressive behavior. Eventually, the disease can lead to a loss of ability to walk and problems with eating, with the majority of patients eventually requiring 24-hour care. The average lifespan after diagnosis is typically five to seven years, though some individuals may live for ten to 15 years.