It's been almost one year since Bruce Willis retired from Hollywood following the actor's diagnosis of aphasia. Willis has been largely out of the spotlight since his retirement, save for a few photos uploaded by his family on special occasions. With so many fans invested in Willis' ongoing health battle, his family shared an update today, confirming a clear diagnosis.
In a joint statement by Willis' family shared by The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, it was announced that the star is now suffering from dementia.
Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.
This is apparently the most common form of dementia for people under 60 years old. Bruce Willis is 67 years old, but because getting the diagnosis can take years, "FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know," the family explained.
Unfortunately, there are no treatments or cures for the disease which means Willis' condition will only continue to advance and worsen. However, the is using his platform as an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease.
"We know in our hearts that – if he could today -- he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families," the family wrote.
"Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTD’s mission in whatever way you can."
Bruce Willis has had a prolific acting career, rising to stardom in the late '80s with the action film Die Hard. Willis played John McClane, a New York police detective caught up in a terrorist takeover of Nakatomi Plaza while visiting his wife in estranged wife in Los Angeles. He would go on to star in four more Die Hard sequels, grossing a collective $1.4 billion worldwide.
Willis also had starring roles in other hit blockbusters such as Pulp Fiction, The Fifth Element, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, Sin City, RED, The Expendables 2, Looper, and Glass. Despite having stepped away from acting, Willis had previously filmed multiple direct-to-video films which have been in various stages of production. His most recent film, Detective Knight: Independence, was released last month.