Danny Glover Discloses Years-Long Alzheimer’s Diagnosis in TODAY Interview

Actor Danny Glover, 79, told TODAY that he has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for multiple years. The interview, conducted by former NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt and aired on July 1, included Glover and his family, who described how the diagnosis has affected his daily life and why he chose to speak publicly now.

Glover said he expects the disease to progress and change his abilities, but emphasized that his family’s support gives him confidence to face the condition. > "Absolutely, they’ve got my back," he said.

The Alzheimer’s Association noted that more than 7 million Americans over 65 are affected by the disease and highlighted that Black Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias. The organization advises simple lifestyle measures such as physical activity, blood-pressure and diabetes management, quality sleep and social engagement, and stresses the importance of early detection, which can begin up to 15 years before a formal diagnosis.

Since his diagnosis, Glover’s speech, movement and memory have slowed, yet he remains active in community events in San Francisco. His daughter Mandisa explained that sharing his story aims to reduce stigma and allow him to control his own narrative. > "I think it’s really important for him to have control of his own narrative, of his own life story," she told Holt.

Glover reflected on his four-decade acting career, from early stage work encouraged by playwright Amiri Baraka to his well-known roles in the “Lethal Weapon” series and dramatic films such as “The Color Purple.” He also recounted personal memories, including the loss of his mother, which he described as a formative influence on his lifelong activism.

Beyond acting, Glover has been involved in humanitarian work, serving as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, and receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2021. He continues to speak with young people about community involvement, despite limited travel due to his health.

Family members, including his youngest brother Martin, expressed their commitment to supporting Glover as he navigates the disease. > "He took me under his wing, and I love him to death… It’s my turn. We talk and share times about our parents, our mothers and our family. So it’s all about family," Martin said.