Actor Danny Glover, honorary Oscar laureate, has revealed he has Alzheimer's disease

American actor Danny Glover, aged 79, announced on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, an incurable neurodegenerative condition. The news was made public on NBC, according to Le Figaro.

Glover, known to audiences as Mel Gibson's partner in the four films of the "Lethal Weapon" series, has been living with the disease for several years. "I can live with it, to a certain extent," the actor said. "I'm sure that as the disease progresses, things will be different and will change."

According to Glover, the disease has already affected his speech and slowed his movements, though he noted that he relies on the support of his family during this time.

A distinguished career, recognised with an honorary Oscar

Danny Glover received an honorary Oscar in 2022, in recognition of his humanitarian work. His acting career has been a varied one: he played a corrupt police officer in the thriller "Witness", alongside Harrison Ford, as well as a comic role in Wes Anderson's film "The Royal Tenenbaums". He has also appeared in acclaimed productions such as "The Color Purple" and "Mandela". On the small screen, he had recurring roles in series such as Emergencies and Captain Furillo.

What is Alzheimer's disease

According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease is an incurable form of dementia that progressively affects memory, thinking and behaviour, worsening gradually over time. The disease typically occurs in people aged 65 and over. On average, those diagnosed live between four and eight years from the point of diagnosis, although there are cases where survival is considerably longer.