Actor and activist Danny Glover says he has Alzheimer’s disease
By AP, July 2, 2026Actor and activist Danny Glover, best known for starring as an easygoing police officer in the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, has revealed he has Alzheimer’s disease.
The four-time Emmy Award nominee, who turns 80 on July 22, told “Today” and People magazine that he was diagnosed with the progressive, memory-destroying disease three years ago.
“I’m still not accepting in my mind all parts of it,” he told People magazine. “There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I’ll never forget.”
More than 6 million people in the United States and millions more around the world have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.
Glover earned four Emmy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 2022. Other awards came from the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television, and he received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild.
Glover also served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program from 1998 to 2004. It focuses on poverty, disease, and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Understanding Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia.
It gradually damages brain cells, leading to memory loss, difficulty thinking, confusion, and changes in behavior. As the disease advances, it becomes harder for a person to carry out everyday tasks and they may eventually require full-time care.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, but experts believe it results from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The disease is linked to the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which damage and kill brain cells over time.
The biggest risk factor is age, particularly for people over 65. Other factors that may increase the risk include a family history of the disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, head injuries, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Common symptoms include forgetting recent events, repeating questions, difficulty solving problems, confusion about time or place, trouble finding words, and personality changes.
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, controlling chronic conditions and keeping the mind socially and mentally engaged may help reduce the risk.