Following the announcement in March 2022 that the actor was suffering from aphasia, Bruce Willis’ family has now confirmed that he is suffering from frontotemporal dementia.
Willis’ ex-wive Demi Moore posted a statement on her Instagram, along with a photo of Willis, smiling on a beach. The family also released a similar statement on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website.
“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),” the statement reads, before specifying that difficulties with communication is just one of the many challenges Willis is facing.
The family also spoke of being relieved to finally have a full diagnosis for Willis’ condition. There is no cure for the condition currently and Willis’ family hope that media attention would focus on raising awareness for the disease.
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“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.
“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.”
Willis was one of the biggest stars of his generation, conquering every genre from horror to action to romance. His biggest films include Armageddon, the Die Hard franchise, Moonlighting for which he won a Golden Globe, and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense. The actor also won two Emmys, one for Moonlighting and another for his guest appearance on Friends.
The statement was signed by Willis’ current wife Emma Heming and the couple’s two daughters as well as Moore and the three daughters Willis had with her.
