Bruce Willis has retired from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a medical condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language.
The 67-year-old star’s family members, including both his wife, Emma Herming and his ex-wife, Demi Moore, posted the announcement to Instagram Wednesday (March 30th).
The family wrote, “To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.
“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.”
The post, which was also signed by Willis’ daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn, concluded with, “As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that.”
According to a report published by the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, rumors had been swirling about the action star’s decline in recent years. The outlet reports that while working on recent projects - 22 in the last four years - Willis’ lines were fed to him through an earpiece and his action scenes, especially those where his character was required to handle a gun, were filmed using a body double.
Lala Kent, who starred in the film Hard Kill with Willis in January 2020 says that while shooting a scene, the Pulp Fiction star kept firing a weapon at the wrong time, leaving her unable to duck.
Despite his recent troubles, former costars paid tribute to The Sixth Sense actor on social media.
Sarah Paulson wrote on Rumer Willis' Instagram post, “He was such an incredible acting partner to me, and is the loveliest, most gentle and hilarious man. he reigns supreme in my book,” and M. Night Shyamalan, who directed The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Glass tweeted, “All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength. He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as kid.”
Willis’ family members posted a joint statement to social media announcing the actor’s retirement.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” the statement reads. “As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” the statement continues. “We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
Whether you associate him with the "Die Hard" series or go back as far as his hit TV show in the 80s with Cybill Shepherd, "Moonlighting," Bruce's story is no doubt touching you. Across his four-decade acting career, Willis’ movies have grossed over $5 billion worldwide. He’s been nominated for five Golden Globes (winning one for “Moonlighting”) and three Emmys (winning one for “Moonlighting” and another for his “Friends” guest role).
His ex-wife Demi Moore posted this statement today announcing the very sad news. The couple wed in 1987 and divorced in 2000 but they have remained close. They have three daughters together: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah.
BRUCE WILLIS PALS CHECK IN _ Haley Joel Osment had his acting breakthrough in the 1999 supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense, which starred Bruce Willis. In an Instagram post Osment wrote: “It’s been difficult to find the right words for someone I’ve always looked up to — first on the big screen, and then by some wild stroke of luck, in person. He’s a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century. I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come.”
… Sixth Sense director M. Night Shyamalan said, “All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength. He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as kid.”
… John Travolta was another former co-star of Willis. The actors appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, while Willis provided the voice of the baby in the Travolta-starring comedy Look Who’s Talking. Travolta wrote on social media: “Bruce and I became good friends when we shared two of our biggest hits together. Years later he said to me, ‘John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you I feel like it’s happening to me.’ That’s how generous a soul he is. I love you Bruce.”