Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with incurable dementia, his family said on Thursday, less than a year after he resigned from acting due to worsening cognitive issues.
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The 67-year-old American actor best known for his part in the Die Hard film series left Hollywood in March and has been out of the spotlight ever since.
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Since we disclosed Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in the spring of 2022, his health has worsened, and we now have a more precise diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia, according to a statement.
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Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an umbrella term encompassing illnesses that damage the brain regions responsible for personality, behavior, and language.
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“Unfortunately, speech difficulties are just one indication of Bruce’s sickness,” the family stated in a statement. “Despite the discomfort, it is a relief to finally get a definitive diagnosis. There are currently no therapies for the condition, a situation we hope will improve in the coming years.”
According to doctors, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain diminish in FTD patients.
It is unknown what causes this, however, it may result in personality changes or alterations in behavior that render a person socially unsuitable, impulsive, or seemingly indifferent to others.
Some patients lose their capacity to communicate.
According to the Mayo Clinic, FTD may develop between the ages of 40 and 65 and is responsible for up to 20% of dementia cases.
The family statement was signed by Willis’ present wife, Emma Heming Willis, as well as his previous wife, Demi Moore, and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn. It said that the actor has always tried to raise awareness about significant topics.
“We believe in our hearts that, if he were alive today, he would want to react by drawing worldwide attention to others who are also coping with this horrible sickness and how it affects so many people and families,” the statement said.
Throughout the 1980s, Willis has been a mainstay on both the small and big screen, rising to notoriety with the television series Moonlighting.
Yet, it was as the hardened hero John McClane in Die Hard that he became a bankable big film star, launching a career that has produced billions of dollars at the box office.
In addition to his success with more family-friendly entertainment, he also performed the voice for the infant in the famous film Look Who’s Talking.
In The Sixth Sense, he also played the deceased character that young actor Haley Joel Osment could see.
The entertainment sector responded quickly.
On Rumer Willis’ Instagram, Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul commented, “Love you so much, my buddy.” “Sending you and your lovely family warm embraces. Your father is an absolute legend.”
Bonnie Hunt, known for her roles in Jumanji and Cars, posted on Demi Moore’s Instagram page, “An abundance of love for you, dear Demi, Bruce, and all of you.”
Willis has earned a Golden Globe and two Emmys during the course of his career.
