On August 20, in the program “Beyond the Heat,” a well-known actor from mainland China opened up about a long-held inner conflict. He revealed that his father passed away from Alzheimer’s disease, and now his mother is also suffering from the same illness. He expressed helplessness to the host, saying he has been living in fear for many years and worries about inheriting the disease.
Huang Bo recounted in the program how in the final stages, his father almost forgot who he was. There were moments when his father would awkwardly and politely offer him water upon returning home. His mother intentionally asked his father who Huang Bo was, to which his father pretended to remember, calling him an “old comrade.”
“I was numb with shock at the time,” Huang Bo described his overwhelming emotions.
When the host mentioned the fear of inheriting the disease, Huang Bo responded, “I have been fearful for so many years. Now, I can almost confirm that the likelihood of inheritance is very high.”
Huang Bo shared that friends advised him not to worry too much, suggesting that if only one of the parents has the disease, the genetic defect is one-way, thus with a low inheritance rate. It is only when both parents have Alzheimer’s that the genetic inheritance rate becomes significantly high.
“I said, I, this, seems to be it,” Huang Bo helplessly chuckled, then added, “I think now I can actively seek ways to cope, but unknowingly, there might be some similar anxieties lurking in your subconscious.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that typically begins subtly, progresses slowly, and is the most common type of dementia. Patients mainly exhibit gradual memory decline, language and spatial impairments, decreased daily functioning, or accompanying mental symptoms. Experts advise seeking medical attention early when early signs of the disease appear.
At 50 years old this year, Huang Bo had various job experiences in the past, such as a resident singer, dance instructor, and voice actor in film and television. Starting his career as a singer, he rose to fame through his acting skills and won the Best Actor award at the 46th Golden Horse Awards for his role in “Cow.” Transitioning from a “songster in the capital” to a “Golden Horse Best Actor,” Huang Bo is known for his humorous and witty remarks, naturally exuding a sense of humor. Despite always presenting an optimistic image, when discussing his parents’ ordeal and his own inner conflict in the program, his eyes revealed profound confusion and anxiety.