‘Lethal Weapon’ Star Danny Glover Discusses Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Health Update

Actor Danny Glover has opened up about his health following his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in 2022. The 79-year-old star of ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘The Color Purple’ shared his experience during an appearance on the Today show, where he candidly discussed living with the condition and the potential changes his life may face as the disease progresses.

Glover acknowledged that Alzheimer’s will present challenges in the future, but he is learning to accept his current situation. During his conversation on Today, he stated, “I can live with it, in a sense,” while recognizing that the disease will continue to influence his daily life. “I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing,” he added.

According to Glover, he received his diagnosis prior to being honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2022 Governors Awards, an event held before the Oscars. This award celebrated his extensive career and humanitarian contributions.

Glover’s daughter, Mandisa, joined him during the Today interview and explained why it was important for her father to share his story publicly. She mentioned that discussing his experience allows him to “have ownership of his life” while he still can.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Glover admitted that accepting the diagnosis has been challenging. He expressed that he is “still not accepting in my mind all parts of” the condition, discussing moments when his memory remains intact versus times when he notices changes.

“There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff,” Glover told PEOPLE. “And there are moments I’ll never forget.”

His daughter also reflected on her father’s remarkable memory throughout his life, noting that Glover was known for recalling extremely detailed moments from decades ago, including conversations and small details that many would forget.

However, she observed changes before he received his diagnosis. Mandisa recalled that when her father recounted stories from his past, certain aspects of those memories began to fade. She remembered thinking, “I wonder what’s going on.”

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that impacts memory, thinking, movement, and speech. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the most common cause of dementia and occurs when changes in the brain lead to the gradual loss of brain cells.

Throughout his career, Glover has become one of Hollywood’s most esteemed actors. He gained international fame for his role as Roger Murtaugh in the ‘Lethal Weapon’ film series and received acclaim for his performance in ‘The Color Purple.’ He also starred alongside Sally Field in the acclaimed drama ‘Places in the Heart.’

In later years, Glover continued to take on memorable roles, including a part in the original ‘Saw’ film, which helped launch one of Hollywood’s biggest horror franchises. He also starred in the critically acclaimed 2019 drama ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco.’

Glover has also been recognized for his television work, earning four Emmy Award nominations, including for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in HBO’s ‘Mandela.’

By sharing his diagnosis, Glover aims to continue telling his story in his own words while navigating this new chapter of his life.

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