Danny Glover reveals Alzheimer's diagnosis after honorary Oscar
Synopsis
Danny Glover, one of Hollywood's most enduring character actors, has revealed he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years — a disclosure his daughter Mandisa says was driven by his need to control his own narrative. The announcement comes after a four-decade career and an honorary Oscar in 2022.
Key Takeaways
Danny Glover has publicly disclosed he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years.
Glover made the announcement on the Today show, saying: ‘I can live with it, in a sense.’ His daughter Mandisa Glover said the family wanted him to ‘have control of his own narrative.’ Glover received an honorary Oscar in 2022 , around the time his diagnosis was confirmed.
His last acting credit was in the 2023 TV movie The Naughty Nine , where he played Santa Claus .
Over his career, Glover earned four Primetime Emmy nominations , four Grammy nominations , and the Independent Spirit Award in 1991 .
Hollywood actor Danny Glover, best known for his role in the Lethal Weapon franchise, has publicly disclosed that he has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. The 76-year-old actor made the revelation during an appearance on the Today show, marking the first time he has spoken openly about the condition.
What Glover Said
Speaking candidly on the programme, Glover said, “I can live with it, in a sense. I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing.” The measured tone of his remarks reflects what his family describes as a deliberate choice to take ownership of his own story.
His daughter Mandisa Glover elaborated on why the family decided to go public now. “I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story,” she said. “What better time than 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.’”
A Career Spanning Four Decades
Glover rose to prominence in the 1980s through a string of acclaimed films, including Places in the Heart, The Color Purple, Witness, To Sleep With Anger, Predator 2, Angels in the Outfield, Saw, and Dreamgirls. His body of work earned him four Primetime Emmy nominations, a Daytime Emmy nomination for directing, four Grammy nominations, and two Actors Award nods.
He won the Independent Spirit Award in 1991 for best male lead in To Sleep With Anger. In 2022, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honoured him with an honorary Oscar — a recognition that came not long before his Alzheimer's diagnosis was confirmed, according to reports.
Recent Work and the Diagnosis Timeline
Despite the diagnosis, Glover continued acting. His most recent screen credit, according to reports, was playing Santa Claus in the 2023 TV movie The Naughty Nine. He also appeared in two 2022 independent films — American Dreamer and Press Play — around the same period he received his honorary Oscar.
The disclosure places Glover among a small but growing number of public figures who have chosen to speak openly about Alzheimer's, a disease that affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
What Comes Next
Glover has not announced any upcoming projects, and his family's emphasis on narrative control suggests future public appearances will be on his own terms. His willingness to speak publicly is already drawing attention to Alzheimer's awareness, and advocates expect the disclosure to amplify conversations around early diagnosis and care support for patients and families alike.
Point of View
When figures of Glover's stature speak openly about Alzheimer's, it shifts the cultural conversation: the disease stops being something to manage in private and becomes a public health reality that demands policy and research attention. The question now is whether that momentum translates into anything beyond awareness.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What disease has Danny Glover been diagnosed with?
Danny Glover has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which he says he has been living with for several years. He disclosed the condition publicly for the first time during an appearance on the Today show.
When did Danny Glover receive his Alzheimer's diagnosis?
Glover has not stated a precise date, but reports indicate the diagnosis came not long after he received his honorary Oscar in 2022. He has been living with the condition for several years, according to his own account.
Why did Danny Glover decide to speak publicly about his Alzheimer's?
His daughter Mandisa Glover explained that the family wanted him to have control of his own narrative and speak for himself. She said she did not want to be dishonest when people asked about his health.
What are Danny Glover's most famous films?
Glover is best known for the Lethal Weapon franchise and acclaimed films including The Color Purple, Places in the Heart, Witness, To Sleep With Anger, and Dreamgirls. His career spans over four decades.
What was Danny Glover's last acting role?
According to reports, Glover's most recent screen credit is the 2023 TV movie The Naughty Nine, in which he played Santa Claus. He also appeared in the 2022 independent films American Dreamer and Press Play.
