Veteran actor and activist Danny Glover has revealed that he has been living with Alzheimer’s disease, saying he is still struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the Lethal Weapon star was diagnosed with the progressive brain disease three years ago. Glover, widely recognised for portraying the calm and dependable police officer Roger Murtaugh in the action film series, will turn 80 on 22 July.
The four-time Emmy Award nominee shared the news in separate interviews with NBC’s Today show and People magazine.
“I’m still not accepting in my mind all parts of it,” Glover told People. “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.”
According to AP, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It gradually affects memory, thinking and a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. More than six million people in the United States and millions more worldwide are living with the condition.
During his career, Glover earned four Emmy Award nominations and received an honorary Oscar in 2022. He has also been honoured by the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television and has received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild.
Beyond his acting career, Glover has played an active role in humanitarian work. From 1998 to 2004, he served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, supporting initiatives to tackle poverty, disease and economic development across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
