Actor Danny Glover, 79, revealed in 2023 that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, stating that he vows to cherish the moments he can still recall.
Glover, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 22, is widely recognized for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the "Lethal Weapon" film series, starring opposite Mel Gibson. He described their work on the four action films, which generated approximately $2 billion in revenue between 1987 and 1998, as "great."
His career also includes collaborations with Oprah Winfrey on two films, including the 1998 psychological horror "Beloved." Glover commented on Winfrey's influence, noting, "She had the power" to help bring the film to cinemas.
He is also known for his role as Albert Johnson in Steven Spielberg's 1985 film "The Color Purple," which grossed $98.4 million globally. Reflecting on the character, Glover stated, "He was in his own pain too. Part of the outcome of that was his own healing. In those kind of relationships, people have an opportunity to resolve their own internal contradiction."
Glover portrayed Nelson Mandela in the 1987 HBO biopic and recalled a humorous encounter with the anti-apartheid leader after his release from prison in 1990. "We were walking and [Mandela's wife] Winnie came up," Glover said. "And Mandela said, 'Winnie, there's your other husband.' It was funny."
The actor's most cherished memories are of his mother, Carrie, a postal worker and NAACP activist who died in a car accident in 1984. He described their relationship as "like girlfriend and boyfriend."
Despite his diagnosis, Glover remains connected to his work, saying, "I'm still not accepting in my mind all parts of it. There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by the death of nerve cells in the brain, leading to cognitive decline. In the U.S., it affects over 5 million people and is the sixth leading cause of death. The disease typically progresses slowly, with patients living an average of five to seven years after diagnosis, though some may live longer. Early symptoms can include memory loss, disorientation, and mood swings, progressing to severe memory loss and difficulties with daily functions.