Dudley Moore Seriously Ill (But Not Serious)

Wednesday December 30, 1998 12:00 AM EST

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Unlike Warren Beatty, some actors aren't afraid to declare themselves. British comic actor Dudley Moore -- who is being treated for a rare, degenerative brain disorder for which there is no known cure -- announced his condition yesterday with grace. The star of "Arthur" and "10" was recently diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP, although he has suffered its symptoms for more than five years, said doctors at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, N.J. The impish actor, 64, released a statement saying he hoped by going public with his condition he could bring attention to the disease, to the cases that go undiagnosed and to the need for medical research. Moore also somehow managed to retain his sense of humor. He said:

• "I understand that one person in 100,000 suffers from this disease, and I am also aware that there are 100,000 members of my union, the Screen Actors Guild, who are working every day. I think, therefore, it is in some way considerate of me that I have taken on the disease for myself, thus protecting the remaining 99,999 SAG members from this fate."