Evander Jones
Even Hollywood’s brightest stars are not spared from life’s toughest challenges. Alzheimer’s, a devastating brain disorder, slowly erases memories and takes away independence. The disease brought heartbreak as it touched some of the most beloved actors. These are the stories of 20 legends who faced this cruel illness.
George Tobias
Beloved as Abner Kravitz on “Bewitched,” Tobias was diagnosed at the age of 79 in 1980. He withdrew from acting as his memory deteriorated, and he often could not recognize cast mates. Cared for by longtime friends, Tobias spent his final years in seclusion before passing on February 27, 1980.
Rita Hayworth
In 1987, Hayworth passed away at 68 after years of battling Alzheimer’s. The disease showed signs in her 50s but was initially misdiagnosed as alcoholism. Her daughter, Yasmin Aga Khan, cared for her and used their experience to spotlight Alzheimer’s as an advocate.
Gene Wilder
In order to save the feelings of his youthful fans who knew him as Willy Wonka, Wilder kept his diagnosis a secret. However, it was revealed in 2013. He continued to enjoy painting and writing at home. His family revealed his three-year battle only after his passing away in 2016.
Lew Ayres
“All Quiet on the Western Front” star Ayres faced Alzheimer’s in his late 80s. Diagnosed in 1994, he struggled with disorientation and memory loss. His wife Diana became his caregiver. Ayres passed on December 30, 1996, at 88, his once-sharp intellect dulled by the disease.
Burgess Meredith
The disease progressively worsened over several years until Meredith’s last breath in 1997 at 89, ending a seven-decade career. His Alzheimer’s diagnosis came in the early 1990s, forcing him to retire from acting. However, the actor spent his final years at home, with his family by his side.
Pat Hingle
Hingle’s powerful performances remained etched in cinematic history, outlasting his memory. Commissioner Gordon actor Hingle’s real-life battle began in 2006. He used cue cards for “Talladega Nights,” his Alzheimer’s swan song. The rapid decline followed, with final credits rolling on January 3, 2009.
Eddie Albert
Star of “Green Acres” and an Oscar nominee, Albert was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the mid-1990s. His son became his primary caregiver, openly discussing the challenges. Albert’s condition deteriorated over a decade, leading to his withdrawal from public life before his funeral in 2005.
James Noble
Cognitive decline continued until March 28, 2016, when Noble delivered his final soliloquy at the age of 91. The beloved “Benson” star faced Alzheimer’s with grace, often reciting Shakespeare at a Connecticut care facility. His portrayal of the charming governor on “Benson” remains a treasured memory for fans.
Kenneth Mars
Mel Brooks’ comic genius Mars, who was 72 at the time, faced this disorder in 2008. His voice acting continued until 2009, when words became elusive foes. Early 2011 saw Mars enter hospice care, and his final laugh echoed on February 12 that year.
Charles Bronson
Bronson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his late 70s, and his family chose to keep his condition private, providing care at home. His wife, Kim, became his primary caregiver as the disease progressed. After a decade-long battle, the “Death Wish” star lost his life in 2003 at the age of 81.
Dana Andrews
The “Laura” hero was diagnosed with this brain disorder in the 1980s. As one of the first well-known figures in Hollywood to disclose his illness, Andrews contributed to awareness-building. His illness aggravated throughout his final years, which he spent in a nursing home.
Jimmy Stewart
Stewart’s family protected his privacy by providing for him at home until he passed away in 1997 at the age of 89. In the late 1980s, the adored “It’s a Wonderful Life” performer was hit with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Stewart became all the more withdrawn as the sickness kept getting intensified.
Ralph Meeker
Meeker’s tough-guy persona faded as he succumbed to the illness on August 5, 1988. Known for “Kiss Me Deadly,” Meeker’s battle began in 1995 at age 74. The disease rapidly affected his speech and mobility. He moved to a specialized care facility in Woodland Hills, California, in 1997.
Carroll O’Connor
O’Connor, who gained notoriety for his role as Archie Bunker in “All in the Family,” endured the brain disorder in his latter years. He kept his illness a secret over the years leading up to his last breath in 2001 when he was 76 years old. The disease certainly impacted his memory and mobility.
Barry Morse
At 87, Morse began a public battle with Alzheimer’s in 2005. A medication trial in Toronto brought brief hope, but his condition steadily worsened. On February 2, 2008, at the age of 89, he passed away. His courage throughout the struggle inspired many, though the disease ultimately took its toll.
Imogene Coca
Alzheimer’s dimmed this Emmy-winner’s spark in 1999 at 90. Severe memory loss erased recognition of her husband of 61 years. Coca’s final act played out in a Manhattan nursing home, concluding on June 2, 2001. Her legendary comedic brilliance contrasted sharply with her quiet final days.
Jack Lord
After making his last “Book ’em, Danno” call on January 21, 1998, Lord departed from television. The 71-year-old “Hawaii Five-O” star Lord was attacked by the illness in 1991. Dialogue trailed off as the spotlight shifted away. Over a seven-year period, his wife Marie watched over him at home.
Harold Gould
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2006, 83-year-old Gould pushed through to take on his final role in 2007’s “The Story of Us,” though difficulties with lines made the performance challenging. His journey ended on September 11, 2010, but his decades-spanning career left a lasting impact on countless viewers.
Philip Abbott
At 71, “The F.B.I.” star Abbott faced a 1995 illness that replaced his usual composure with aggression. Family care sustained him until his passing on February 23, 1998, a poignant contrast to his commanding screen presence.
Glenn Corbett
The disease was indiscriminate, as Corbett’s tragic battle demonstrated. When this “Route 66” star was 57 years old in 1990, early-onset Alzheimer’s surprised him. In two years, his speech grew less frequent. It ended on January 16, 1993, at the age of 59, with him checking into a VA hospital.
