Bruce Willis decided to retire from acting in March of last year. The Die Hard star had been diagnosed with aphasia, an illness that hurt his communication ability.
After over a year, his family has given a sad update about the actor’s condition: he has been diagnosed with dementia.
The family of Bruce Willis has made a statement saying that the actor’s condition has worsened, and it has now been proven that he has frontotemporal dementia.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 11: Actor Bruce Willis attends the “Motherless Brooklyn” premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival on October 11, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
According to the information, frontotemporal dementia, also known as FTD, is the most common type of dementia in adults over 60. It is described as a “cruel disease” that “strikes anyone,” and the diagnosing process takes years.
“While this is painful, it is a relief to have a clear diagnosis finally,” the family wrote. “Today, there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead.” “As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”
They thanked Willis’s fans for their support over the past year and said they were disclosing his illness to spread the word about FTD. Willis’ family expressed gratitude to the fans.
“Bruce always believed in using his voice to help others and raise awareness about important public and private issues. “We know in our hearts that, if he could see today, he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a sense of connectedness to those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
Bruce Willis was one of the most famous Hollywood stars for many decades. After his breakout role on the TV show Moonlighting, he moved on to achieve international fame for his role as John McClane in the action classic Die Hard, and its few sequels.
Willis has had a storied career, which includes leading roles in highly lauded and financially popular movies such as Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, Armageddon, and Unbreakable. In recent years, Willis has been seen almost entirely in low-budget, direct-to-video films. Many who have worked with him have expressed concern over his ability to remember lines.
Fans who were concerned finally got an answer in March of last year when the actor’s family revealed that he was diagnosed with aphasia, which affected his ability to communicate and caused him to give up a career in acting.
Bruce Willis ran with an automatic weapon in a scene from Die Hard, 1988. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)
His relatives revealed the news to the public, saying that he was “stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him” and that he would be spending time with his family: “As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up,’ and together we plan to do just that.”
Mabel and Evelyn Willis are the actor’s daughters from his marriage to Emma Heming Willis, with whom he shares parenting duties. Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah Willis are Bruce Willis’s kids from his first marriage, which was to actress Demi Moore.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 14: Bruce Willis attends the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis at Hollywood Palladium on July 14, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
“Bruce has always found joy in life—and has helped everyone he knows to do the same,” the family’s statement concludes. “It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and all of us. “We have been so moved by the love you shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time.”
“Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 14: (L-R) Rumer Willis, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Tallulah Belle Willis attend the after party for the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis at NeueHouse on July 14, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phil Faraone/VMN18/Getty Images For Comedy Central)
Learning that Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with dementia is very sad, but at least his family has a clear diagnosis and can continue monitoring his health.
Thank the Willis family for being so open about Bruce’s condition. I doubt this will contribute to the spread of information on FTD.
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