Renowned American actor Danny Glover has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years, he revealed.
The 79-year-old told NBC in an interview that aired on Wednesday that he received the diagnosis “not long” after an honorary Oscar designation in 2022. While his movements, speech and memories have since slowed, Glover said he still remains active.
“I can live with it in a sense,” Glover said in the pre-taped interview. “I’m sure as it advances, things are going to be different and changing.”
A four-time Emmy winner, Glover is best known for his role in the Lethal Weapon series and The Color Purple film.
In the interview with former NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt that aired on The Today Show, Glover and members of his family said they want to help change the stigma around the disease by speaking out about his condition.
“I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story,” Glover’s daughter, Mandisa, said. “That’s really important. And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself?”
Glover is just one of some 7 million people in the US over the age of 65 living with Alzheimer’s disease – a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. Symptoms tend to become more severe and interfere with daily tasks.
Credit: bbc.com
