Actor and activist Danny Glover revealed this week that he has Alzheimer’s disease. The four-time Emmy Award nominee, who is 79, said he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 3 years ago.
“I’m still not accepting in my mind all parts of it,” Glover told People. “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.”
Glover is coming forward now because he and his family believe that by sharing his story, they can help reduce the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s. “I don’t feel like it’s the end of my life,” Glover said. “There’s work to do.”
Known for his roles in “Lethal Weapon,” “Places in the Heart,” and “The Color Purple,” Glover was raised by parents who inspired a passion for social justice and activism. He served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program from 1998 to 2004 and was appointed as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 2004.
“Acclaimed actor and humanitarian Danny Glover has long used his voice to inspire, educate, and advocate on behalf of others,” the Alzheimer’s Association said in a statement sent to MedPage Today. “Today, by sharing his experience with Alzheimer’s disease, he continues that legacy of service and leadership.”
More than 7 million Americans ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, according to Alzheimer’s Association statistics. Nearly three-quarters of them are 75 and older.
In the U.S., dementia prevalence and treatment varies by race and ethnicity. Older Black Americans are twice as likely as older white Americans to have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and 36% of Black Americans think discrimination would be a barrier to receiving Alzheimer’s care. An analysis of Medicare data showed that white patients were six times more likely to be treated with Alzheimer’s disease-modifying therapy than Black patients.
Lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) are anti-amyloid agents approved in recent years for people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease; over 150 other drugs are being studied in clinical trials. In 2025, the FDA cleared two diagnostic blood tests: one to help clinicians identify Alzheimer’s in people with signs and symptoms, the other to rule out Alzheimer’s disease in primary care.
Recent data from the U.S. POINTER trial also suggested that early recognition of cognitive impairment can be important because targeted lifestyle interventions may help slow decline and improve overall health.
Despite rapid changes in the Alzheimer’s field, stigma remains a pervasive barrier to support and care. Dementia-related stigma can cause diagnostic delays, severe social isolation, and caregiver burnout. Dementia often is misunderstood, with many people believing it is an inevitable part of aging or that patients are dangerous, leading to discrimination and secrecy.
A survey earlier this year showed that 85% of primary care patients over age 62 would be willing to take a blood test to learn whether they had Alzheimer’s disease, but 24% worried about being treated differently after a positive result.
“We commend Danny Glover for speaking openly about his journey and helping to increase awareness of this devastating disease,” the Alzheimer’s Association said.
“His willingness to share his story will help others understand they are not alone and encourage important conversations about Alzheimer’s and dementia,” the group added. “Alzheimer’s impacts millions of individuals and families across the country, and stories like Danny’s help shine a light on the urgent need for greater awareness, care, and support.”
