by Derrick Lane, BlackDoctor.org
The multi-talented actor and rapper Donald Glover, who performs as Childish Gambino, revealed on stage during a concert that he had a stroke last year.
While performing at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival in Los Angeles on Saturday night, Glover opened up about the reason he had to cancel his tour not long after it began in 2024.
“You guys voted for a ‘where have I been monologue,’” Glover, 42, said. “I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana and I did the show anyway. I couldn’t really see well, so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.’”
About a month after his New World tour began in August 2024, Glover postponed the tour, and then later cancelled the remaining dates, citing health issues.
Glover said he felt like he was letting everyone down, lamenting that he still hasn’t been to Ireland. He also revealed that “they found a hole” in his heart and he had to have two surgeries.
“They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realize you have one,” Glover said. “You got one life, guys, and I gotta be honest, the life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing.”
Stroke Symptoms that are a Warning for Us All
Stroke symptoms that Glover may have had include the sudden onset of face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty, which can be remembered with the acronym FAST. Other common symptoms include trouble walking or dizziness, loss of balance, sudden severe headache, and vision problems in one or both eyes. If you see any signs of a stroke, call 911 immediately, as time is critical for treatment.
FAST Acronym for Stroke Symptoms
Face drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop or look uneven?
Arm weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or feel weak?
Speech difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time to call 911: If you see any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.
Other stroke symptoms to watch for
- Sudden numbness or weakness: of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing: in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache: with no known cause.
- Other symptoms may include memory loss, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
What to do If You or Someone is Having a Stroke
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Note the time when the symptoms started, as this is crucial for treatment.
Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away.
How Could He Have a Stroke at a Young Age?
Some say since Childish Gambino was only 42-years-old at the time of his stroke, isn’t that too young to experience a stroke? Well, a stroke is caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain, either by a blockage in an artery (ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Key risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Types of stroke
- Ischemic stroke: The most common type, caused by a blocked artery. The blockage is usually a blood clot or a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: Occurs when a weakened blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. Common causes include burst brain aneurysms or high blood pressure.
Major stroke risk factors
- High blood pressure: The single biggest risk factor, as it damages and weakens blood vessel walls over time, making them more likely to clog or rupture.
- Smoking: Raises blood pressure, thickens blood, and causes fatty buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of a clot.
- High cholesterol: A buildup of plaque in arteries can lead to blockages.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes often have high blood pressure and are more likely to be overweight, both of which increase stroke risk.
- Heart disease: Conditions like atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) can cause blood clots that lead to a stroke.
- Unhealthy lifestyle: A diet high in saturated fats and salt, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol intake are all linked to an increased risk of stroke.
He’s Thankful to be Alive to Continue to Build a Legacy
Born Donald McKinley Glover Jr., Childish Gambino is looking forward to his new lease on life and looking forward to moving on from his stroke. While studying at NYU Glover began working with Derrick Comedy, a comedy group, then ultimately was noticed and hired by Saturday Night Live legend, Tina Fey, to write for the NBC sitcom 30 Rock at age 23. He gained fame for portraying college student Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community from 2009 to 2014. He created the FX series Atlanta (2016-2022), which he starred in and occasionally directed. For his work on Atlanta, he won various accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as two Golden Globe Awards.
Glover has also appeared in several films, including the supernatural horror The Lazarus Effect (2015), the comedy-drama Magic Mike XXL (2015), and the science fiction film The Martian (2015). He played Aaron Davis in the Marvel superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), as well as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars spin-off, Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). He provided the voice of adult Simba in The Lion King (2019), and produced the short film Guava Island (2019), in which he starred alongside co-star Rihanna. He co-created the much talked about thriller Amazon Prime TV series Swarm (2023). Glover is also credited as a principal inspiration for the creation of the Marvel Comics superhero Miles Morales / Spider-Man, whom Glover himself briefly voiced in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man. In 2024, he created and starred in the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.