Hollywood legend Danny Glover, best known for his roles in Lethal Weapon and The Colour Purple, has publicly revealed that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The 79-year-old actor shared the news during an emotional appearance on The Today Show on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, explaining that the diagnosis came shortly after he was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2022.
Glover's Emotional Revelation
In the pre-recorded interview, Glover stated: "I can live with it in a sense. I'm sure as it advances, different things will be different and changing." He admitted he is "still not accepting in my mind all parts of it." Speaking further to People magazine, he added: "There are moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I'll never forget."
Glover described coming to terms with his 2023 diagnosis as involving "in some sense acknowledging that it's happening to you and at the same time that there are millions of people suffering from it."
Support from Family
Glover was joined on The Today Show by his daughter Mandisa, who emphasized the importance of her father speaking publicly on his own terms. "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,'" she said. Mandisa also revealed that "he's aware sometimes and then sometimes not."
A Storied Career
Danny Glover made his film acting debut in 1979's Escape from Alcatraz and went on to star in major films such as 1986's Witness, 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums, and 1990's Predator 2. His television work earned him four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his portrayals of Nelson Mandela in the 1987 television film Mandela, Joshua Deets in the 1989 western miniseries Lonesome Dove, Philip Marlowe in the 1995 neo-noir series Fallen Angels, and Will Walker in the 2000 biographical film Freedom Song.
Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
According to the NHS, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK. Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline in brain function, affecting memory, thinking skills, and other mental abilities. It is a progressive condition, with symptoms developing gradually over many years and becoming more severe. Early signs often include minor memory problems, such as forgetting recent conversations or events and the names of places and objects. As the condition advances, symptoms can include confusion, disorientation, getting lost in familiar places, and problems with speech and language.
