One of Hollywood’s most respected actors is confronting a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, a diagnosis Danny Glover first received in 2023 but kept private until now. The 79-year-old star opened up about his condition on July 1, 2026, in a pre-taped interview with NBC anchor Lester Holt, 67, that aired on the “Today” show, giving the public its first glimpse into a struggle he has been managing for several years.
The timing of the revelation comes just weeks before Glover turns 80 on July 22. He acknowledged that Alzheimer’s has gradually affected his speech, movement and memory, but he has found a measure of peace with the condition. “I could live with it, in a sense,” he said, “but I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing.” He credited his family for their unwavering support through it all.
Why He Chose to Speak Out
His daughter, Mandisa, appeared alongside him in the segment and explained the reasoning behind her father’s decision to go public. She said it is really important for him to have control of his own narrative and his own life story. She pushed back against any false cheerfulness, saying the time is now for him to speak for himself and that she refuses to be dishonest by suggesting everything is fine when it is not.
In a separate conversation with People magazine, Glover described a complicated relationship with his diagnosis. He is “still not accepting in my mind all parts of it,” he said, but he does not feel it is the end of his life and believes there is still work left to do. He told the magazine he still has his daughter, still has his friends, and wants others facing similar struggles to know that life goes on. “There’s work to do,” he said.
An Iconic Career That Defined an Era
Glover’s film debut came in 1979’s “Escape From Alcatraz,” but it was his role as homicide detective Roger Murtaugh opposite Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs in the “Lethal Weapon” franchise that made him a household name. Over a nearly 40-year career, he has compiled more than 170 film and television credits, including standout performances in “The Color Purple,” “Places in the Heart” alongside actress Sally Field and “Predator 2.” His work has earned him five Emmy nominations — including one for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela — and four Grammy nominations.
The diagnosis arrived about a year after Glover received an honorary Oscar in 2022 — the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, reserved for individuals whose humanitarian efforts have brought distinction to the film industry. At that ceremony, actress Alfre Woodard paid tribute to her longtime friend and colleague, praising his lifelong commitment to justice. Woodard noted that Glover was a driving force behind a student walkout that resulted in San Francisco State University establishing its Department of Black Studies.
A Legacy of Global Humanitarian Work
His impact has extended far beyond the screen. Glover worked with the United Nations Development Programme as a goodwill ambassador beginning in 1998 and continuing through 2004, working on global campaigns targeting poverty, disease and HIV/AIDS across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He was subsequently appointed as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in 2004. Reflecting on that legacy in the Today interview, he spoke about the importance of empowering young people and described justice as a collective responsibility.
Health struggles are not new to Glover. He had his first epileptic seizure at age 15 and managed the condition with medication for roughly the next two decades, eventually learning to recognize the warning signs well enough to alert those around him before an episode struck.
The Scope of Alzheimer’s in America
His disclosure places a recognizable face on a disease affecting millions of American families. More than 7 million Americans age 65 and older — an estimated 7.4 million — are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as a degenerative neurological condition that initially causes minor forgetfulness and may ultimately impair an individual’s capacity to perform everyday tasks or interact meaningfully with others.
By all indications, Glover intends to continue living fully despite the diagnosis, maintaining his focus on advocacy and connection with those he loves.