Lethal Weapon Star Danny Glover Shares Alzheimer’s Diagnosis, Battling Disease Since 2022

Ahead

of his 80th birthday this month, actor Danny Glover is revealing a heartbreaking health update. The Lethal Weapon actor shared that he has been battling Alzheimer’s disease for a few years. Glover, who has been semi-retired for the past few years, went on TV to share his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and speak about how he has been handling it. The actor's daughter Mandisa also spoke about the veteran having control over his narrative before it was too late. Glover has been working in the film industry for nearly five decades and received an honorary Oscar in 2022.

Danny Glover opens up about Alzheimer’s diagnosis on TV

During a pre-taped appearance on the Today show on July 1, Glover said he received his Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (honorary Oscar) from the Academy right after he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The actor got candid as he said, "I can live with it, in a sense. I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing."

The actor was partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise awareness and funds for the fight by speaking about his own diagnosis against the devastating disease. The 79-year-old star's daughter Mandisa stated in the interview segment that it was really important for Glover to control his own life story. She added, "What better time but now for him to speak for himself?" The veteran is known around the world for his iconic role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon films with co-star Mel Gibson. After making his acting debut in Escape from Alcatraz (1979), over time, Glover has worked in a number of notable films, including Places in the Heart, The Color Purple, Predator 2, Witness, To Sleep With Anger, Angels in the Outfield, Saw, and the musical Dreamgirls. On TV he had recurring roles in hit shows such as Hill Street Blues, ER, and Brothers & Sisters. His last onscreen role was the TV movie The Naughty Nine in 2023, where he played Santa Claus.

Danny Glover's Hollywood accolades

The actor played South African leader Nelson Mandela in the HBO television film Mandela in 1987 and received his first Emmy nomination. He would go on to earn three more for his roles in the miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989), Showtime's Fallen Angels (1995) and the TV film Freedom Song (2000). He won an Independent Spirit Award for his performance in the feature To Sleep with Anger in 1991. Glover also has four Grammy nominations for voicing several audiobooks, including Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom in 1993.