Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia
Bruce Willis is stepping away from his acting career due to health issues, his family has announced.
Willis' daughter Rumer shared a statement Wednesday on behalf of the actor's family announcing he "has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities." As a result, they said, Willis is "stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him."
Aphasia is a condition that "robs you of the ability to communicate" and "can affect your ability to speak, write, and understand language, both verbal and written," according to the Mayo Clinic, which notes it usually occurs after a stroke or head injury but can also come gradually.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"This is a really challenging time for our family," the statement said. "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."
Willis, best known for his roles in films like Die Hard and The Sixth Sense, has remained active in recent years starring in a number of movies that have primarily been released direct-to-video. Some fans had questioned why Willis was appearing in so many of these films, and the parody award show the Golden Raspberry Awards introduced a category mocking his recent output. Willis' health issues were not publicly known at the time, but filmmaker Ted Geoghegan tweeted Wednesday that the actor's health issues have "been an open secret for a few years, and why I've never joined the chorus of folks mocking him for making dozens of direct-to-video films."
The family statement was signed by Willis' wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore, and children Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn. "As Bruce always says, 'Live it up," they wrote, "and together we plan to do just that."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Is the Gaza war tearing U.S. campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
14 recent scientific breakthroughs
In Depth From photos of the infant universe to an energy advancement that could save the planet
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published