DIE HARD star Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia, his family has announced.
In a statement on social media, they said it was a ‘relief to finally have a clear diagnosis’.
Willis became a household name in the 1980s and 90s after starring in blockbuster films such as Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Armageddon and Pulp Fiction.
He has also been nominated for five Golden Globes – winning one for Moonlighting – and also three Emmys, where he won two.
But his family said last year that Willis would give up acting, as his aphasia was affecting his cognitive abilities.
In a statement on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website, this family said: “We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months.
“Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update.
“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.
For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years,
Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality the family hope can change in the years ahead.
“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.
“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.
“We have been so moved by the love you have all 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.”
